Will Greenwood & Ben Fennell - World Class: Lead, learn and grow like a champion

By Workplace Evolution

02 Sep 2021

Business Psychologist Michael Costello meets Will Greenwood and Ben Fennell to discuss their life lessons and new book "World Class: Lead, Learn and Grow Like a Champion". Drawing on insights from elite athlete & coaches such as Dan Carter, Kate Richardson Walsh, Rio Ferdinand, Helen Glover & Sir Clive Woodward as well as Business Leaders from Tesco, Unilever, Virgin Media the conversation explores what businesses can learn from sport and what sport can learn from business.

This interview shares lessons learnt from

The communications in the England changing room 5 minutes before the Rugby World Cup Final (winning the battle for hearts & minds) The good the bad and ugly of coaching during his three, yes, three, tours with the Lions (ensuring brilliance can create magic & "riff") How the team grew stronger not just through a player strike days before a test match but also a little conflict injected by the Royal Marines (England's 'Code of Conduct' and what leaders do to support the 'Disagree and Commit' process) And lastly Sir Clive Woodward’s incredible response to Will’s news that his wife Caro had been taken to hospital in England during the World Cup campaign in Australia (the importance of well-being, kindness and leaders investing in their character)

Click here for the podcast

Podcast Notes:

The book is published by Ebury Edge and Penguin Random House and is available on the 2nd September 2021. To find out more about the book visit http://smarturl.it/worldclassbk or https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/144/1443223/world-class/9780753558775.html

Ben Fennell is a master in the field of advertising - developed from 16 years as the CEO of Bartle Bogle Hegarty in Singapore & London – today he works as the CEO of the Growth House working with global brands to develop their senior leaders. Find out more about Ben via the Growth House and via twitter @FennellB.

Will Greenwood was critical to ensuring England powered to Rugby World Cup victory in 2003, is a leading broadcaster and commentator of the game and journalist for the Telegraph for 16 years. Find out more via twitter @WillGreenwood

@OurlegendUK @Festivalsportuk & https://willgreenwood.co.uk/

To contact the podcast please email [email protected] or connect with Michael Costello via linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelcostellooccpsych1/

Latest news

1

Heysham 2 takes top UK nuclear generation title Heysham 2 Power Station

Heysham 2 takes top UK nuclear generation title

08 Jan 2026

2

Lancashire leader calls on chancellor to save the struggling high street sectors frank-mckenna-1000x500.jpg

Lancashire leader calls on chancellor to save the struggling high street sectors

08 Jan 2026

3

Pleasure Beach Resort extends its season for the second year in a row Avatar Airbender at Nickelodeon Land

Pleasure Beach Resort extends its season for the second year in a row

08 Jan 2026

4

Japanese business steps forward to buy Rossendale footwear group Harvey Jacobson and Gola trainers

Japanese business steps forward to buy Rossendale footwear group

07 Jan 2026

5

Combined authority spearheads £20m innovation cash bid Workers on the shop floor

Combined authority spearheads £20m innovation cash bid

06 Jan 2026

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
January / February 2026 - LBV Issue 126 Magazine Launch Event
Porsche Preston1200x630
Networking
22 Jan 2026

January / February 2026 - LBV Issue 126 Magazine Launch Event

Porsche Preston, Preston, PR2 1QJ

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

St Catherine's Christmas Tree-Cycling
Tree Cycling.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
25 Nov 2025 - 10 Jan 2026

St Catherine's Christmas Tree-Cycling

Several locations, Preston, PR5 5XU

10:00 - 13:07

Lancashire County Council – Meet the Buyer - January 2026 Webinar Event
LBV Hub Webinar
13 Jan 2026

Lancashire County Council – Meet the Buyer - January 2026 Webinar Event

10:00 - 12:00

Preston Tech Connection: Tech For Better Humans
PTC January 26 banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jan 2026 - 15 Jan 2026

Preston Tech Connection: Tech For Better Humans

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Society1 Open Coworking Day
Open Day Square.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jan 2026 - 15 Jan 2026

Society1 Open Coworking Day

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

09:00 - 17:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Header (28).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
15 Jan 2026 - 15 Jan 2026

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: January
January Freelancer Meet-Up Square .png.png
LBV Hub Networking
20 Jan 2026 - 20 Jan 2026

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: January

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 12:00

Lancashire County Council – Meet the Buyer Drop in Event
Meet the Buyer event new
LBV Hub Networking
20 Jan 2026

Lancashire County Council – Meet the Buyer Drop in Event

County Hall, Pitt Street, Preston , PR1 8XJ

10:00 - 15:00

Tech without the turmoil: How Finance Leaders can drive smarter digital decisions
MHA-BTI Logo_black (002).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
05 Mar 2026 - 27 Dec 2025

Tech without the turmoil: How Finance Leaders can drive smarter digital decisions

Farington Lodge Hotel, Stanifield Lane, Farington, Preston, PR25 4QR

08:00 - 10:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin