What makes a great coach? Joey Mongalo, defense coach at the Sharks in Durban, doesn't hesitate when answering this question: it's the ability to understand context, connect authentically, and treat leadership as a core skill rather than a "soft" one.

Joey brings extraordinary perspective to coaching culture as someone with both elite rugby coaching experience and multiple academic degrees, including industrial psychology. His approach bridges technical expertise with profound human understanding. "Culture is simply the way we do things here," he explains, stripping away complexity to reveal what truly matters in building effective teams.

The conversation explores Joey's journey from losing his father at age seven to becoming an influential coach who prioritizes human development alongside athletic achievement. His triangle approach—understand the process, develop conviction, then package and sell it appropriately—offers a blueprint for effective leadership in any context.

What sets Joey apart is his ability to see beyond the game. "We will win a few significant things and have some players that might develop into Springboks, but most will become husbands and fathers. Influence that," he shares, revealing his ultimate coaching purpose. This passion extends to his consultancy business where he applies sports leadership principles to transform corporate environments.

Perhaps most compelling is Joey's perspective on navigating South Africa's complex cultural landscape. Through heartfelt examples of connecting across language barriers, he demonstrates how small gestures of cultural understanding build stronger teams than any tactical system could. This episode isn't just about coaching rugby—it's about coaching life, with lessons that resonate far beyond the field.

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Joey Mongalo

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