I have been lucky enough in my career to meet some amazing people, many of whom have been outstanding leaders and managers, people that manage successful organisations, people that shine out. I am often asked what makes a good manager or leader, the response is often complex. However, there is one personal trait that makes outstanding people in any field outstanding and in my mind that is their humility. Their ability to achieve great things but to keep their feet on the ground.
Yesterday we heard the news of the retirement of Jonny Wilkinson. I am sure tributes have been pouring in, amongst them Sir Clive Woodward, World Cup-winning England coach said “Jonny took the game to another level, not just here in England but all over the world.” One cannot argue with his statement. But for me, Jonny Wilkinson is not just an amazingly skilled and dedicated rugby player, he is also an outstanding human being and one that has not been tainted by his success.
Jonny is a close friend of family friends of my husband and I and so we have followed his career with interest, from watching him play when he was a school boy to hardly missing a televised game as he grew into the international player he is. Whenever we met him, he was always thoughtful, charming and almost shy.
A few years ago, when our own son, was seriously injured in a school rugby match and we feared he would lose full use of his sight, Jonny sent us complimentary tickets to see him play in Newcastle. After the game Jonny took time to talk with our son and the impact of his gestures were immediate and we saw our son’s spirits return, as did his full sight some months later. Jonny also sent him a pair of his own rugby boots, a prize that still has pride of place in our son’s bedroom cabinet.
Jonny was best man at a wedding we attended in August of this year. All eyes were on him as he arrived and joined the crowd congregating outside of the church. I watched as a little girl of about eight years old approached him to ask if he would stand in front of the choir for a photograph. He immediately obliged and joined a delighted and squealing choir. Throughout the day he signed autographs, shook hands and was charming and kind.
I don’t pretend to know Jonny Wilkinson well, however, from what I have heard through very good sources, and through my own snapshot, this is what Jonny does. Jason Robinson, Fellow World Cup winner sums it up when he said yesterday “To a man whose talent, work ethic and humility was second to none…congrats, Jonny.”
And to that I would like to add my own best wishes.
By Kasmin Cooney OBE | Righttrack’s Managing Director