Our team in Ireland recently had the pleasure of teaming up with Select Strategies for a high-energy iBuild session titled “Strategy and Performance”. This dynamic gathering of ambitious start-up CEOs dived into the real-world challenges of building high-performing teams – an essential ingredient for scaling any business.
The goal of the session was clear: to explore, through experiential learning, how team dynamics influence the successful execution of strategy.
To add a touch of star power, we were joined by none other than Stuart Lancaster – former England Rugby head coach, ex-Leinster coach, and soon-to-be Connacht’s head coach. Stuart threw himself into the interactive session with enthusiasm and had a great time helping judge the winning teams.
Later, he delivered a compelling discussion on leadership and high performance, focusing on key themes like:
- The importance of the leader’s “battery” (personal energy and resilience)
- Building credibility and trust
- The art of effective delegation
- Team cohesion and alignment
To kick off the day, Orangeworks facilitator Oddie set the tone with a quote from rugby icon Richie McCaw:
“It’s not about being the best on your best day, but about being the best on your worst day.”
This sentiment perfectly framed the day’s theme of resilience – crucial not only in sport but also in leadership.
Oddie also introduced RED2BLUE, a coaching method developed by Gazing. Used by elite teams like the All Blacks and Ireland Rugby – and by Stuart himself – this approach helps leaders maintain focus and calm under pressure. It’s just as impactful in the boardroom as it is on the pitch.
The experiential learning activity ‘iBuild’ was a hands-on, collaborative challenge that brought the day’s themes to life. Participants were tasked with:
- Clarifying Communication: Setting clear goals and roles for effective execution
- Collaborating Strategically: Leveraging teamwork under pressure (with Select Strategies coaches cheekily issuing “sin bin” penalties!)
- Building Trust Through Feedback: Giving and receiving honest, constructive feedback to boost team cohesion
But the real value came in the reflection. Founders assessed their team’s performance, identified improvement areas, and developed concrete strategies. These were then deepened in the afternoon coaching sessions with Select Strategies – linking insights directly to their business goals.
The work continues, as founders now refine their strategic priorities and execution roadmaps with their coaches.
At Orangeworks, we believe experiential learning is one of the most effective ways to unlock performance and develop leadership. iBuild is just one of the many interactive experiences we offer to elevate communication, collaboration, and resilience in teams – whether you’re scaling a start-up or leading an established organisation.
Curious how iBuild can drive performance in your team? Get in touch – we’d love to help you craft your next high-impact team event.