"If you don't work hard then you don't win. In all forms of life, talent gets you identified but workers are winners."
These words from legendary rugby league coach Warren Ryan hold true not only on the rugby league field but in every corner of life.
Talent might get you in the game, but it’s hard work that keeps you winning.
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” Another pearl of wisdom from Ryan.
Talent vs. Hard Work
In business, just like in sports, talent alone doesn’t guarantee success. It might open the door , but hard work is what keeps that door open.
From my experience …
First Impressions Matter: Sure, natural ability can grab attention.
Sustained Success Requires Grit: The long game is won through perseverance and smart, consistent effort.
At the end of the day, success isn’t about being the most talented. It’s, as Jeff Probst from Survivor ingrained into us over the last decade, about being the one who outwits, outplays, outlasts the competition.
You innovate, you adapt, and you keep pushing to improve.
So back to Warren Ryan, and applying his coaching philosophy to business
Warren Ryan didn’t just change the way rugby league was played—he changed how we think about performance, leadership, and success. His philosophy has strong parallels in business, especially in Supply Chain Transformation, my area of expertise.
Here’s how I interpret his thinking into my field:
The Value of Experience – In rugby league, even after Ryan retired, people continued to seek his advice. Why? Because experience matters. In business, the same applies. When navigating transformation, organisations should seek out those who have done it before. Knowledge depth & experience can provide valuable insights, perspectives on potential challenges, and strategies for success.
Constant Learning and Adaptation – Ryan never stopped studying the game, even after he hung up the coaching boots. The same goes for businesses. In supply chain management, it’s critical to constantly update your skills, knowledge, and approach. You can’t afford to get comfortable—because the market, and your competitors, won’t wait.
Let me ask you this: if you were to assess your organisation through Gartner’s Hype Cycle, where would you rank yourself? If you’re not continuously evolving, you’re falling behind.
Innovate or Get Left Behind – Ryan was a visionary; he wasn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, introduce new tactics & strategies. In business, especially in supply chain transformation, innovation is non-negotiable. If you’re not exploring fresh strategies and new ways to optimise, someone else is, and they’ll beat you to the punch.
Learn from Other Industries – One of the reasons Ryan’s advice was so valuable was that it wasn’t confined to rugby league. Even coaches from other sports, rugby union, sought him out. The lesson is simple: cross-industry learning can be powerful, delivering different perspectives and insights. Don’t limit yourself to insights from your own sector. Sometimes, the best ideas come from unexpected places.
Build a Winning Team – Ryan believed in the power of having key players who were willing to do the hard work – the unglamorous but essential stuff that makes a team successful. In supply chain transformation, the same principle applies. You need a diverse, committed team who are prepared to roll up their sleeves and get the job done, especially when the going gets tough.
Ryan often said, “he needed five blokes who were winners with a tough attitude, players who do the hard yards, the work no-one really notices, players who roll-up their sleeves up and get dirty every game, players you can’t win without them… When things go sideways, they are the blokes who lead the charge, players that lay the platform, hard-nose workers, taking the ball up, chasing kicks.”
That’s exactly the kind of team you need in any successful business transformation – a team that does the heavy lifting, even when it’s not flashy.
Strategic Moments Matter – The winning 2024 NSW State of Origin team brought Ryan into camp to support their key moments throughout the series – not to overhaul everything, but to provide the right guidance at the right time. In business, especially in a transformation, you need to identify those critical junctures. Bring in the right expertise to create momentum and reinforce confidence when it matters most.
Blend Tradition with Innovation – Ryan’s advice is still relevant today because he knew how to blend tried-and-true methods with fresh thinking. In supply chain, you need to balance the wisdom of experience with a willingness to innovate. That’s how you stay agile and effective, no matter the challenge.
Final Thoughts:
Warren Ryan’s approach to coaching transcends sport. His focus on hard work, innovation, and strategic thinking applies directly to business, particularly in the world of supply chain transformation. By adopting these principles, organisations can ensure they don’t just survive but thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
It’s about combining experience with fresh ideas, working smarter, and never settling for average. Because in the end, the organisations that win are the ones that put in the hard work, play the long game, and always look for the next opportunity to improve.
I’ll leave you with one of Ryan’s most famous quotes to reflect on and consider how it applies to the evolution of your organisation:
‘When you get the front door ajar, why jump through the window? Kick the front door in! ‘”
Yuri Verjoustinsky | Managing Director | DMS Pty Ltd
