The Performance Chain Podcast Neil Tunnah & Jimmy Kelly

In this episode, we speak with Rama Chand, who joined the Georgian National Rugby Union in Georgia. Rama shares his journey and impact on Georgian Rugby. We discuss the unique culture and identity of the sport, the challenges of working in a different work culture, and the importance of relationships, trust-building, and effective communication. Rama also highlights his goals in developing the Junior World Cup team and domestic clubs. We reflect on the memorable experiences and connections we've made and thank Rama for his insights.
0:00:23 Introduction and Setting the Stage in Atlanta, Georgia
0:02:30 Rama's Involvement in Strategy for Georgian Rugby Union
0:02:44 Introduction
0:04:43 Banter about Nationality
0:07:39 Factors considered: Opportunity, Finance, and Environment
0:10:20 Decision-making process and motivation in choosing work environment
0:13:09 Cultural similarities and challenges in Georgia
0:16:25 Importance of family and relationships in driving performance
0:19:03 Georgia's Rugby Success: Talent, Determination, and Heart
0:22:37 Building Momentum and Tweaking Strategy for Future Success
0:23:57 Delivering Constructive Feedback: Australia vs. Georgia
0:30:40 The Importance of Clarity and Vision in Feedback Sessions
0:33:34 Overstating, Reinforcing, and Repeating: Keys to Effective Communication
0:40:47 The Importance of Professionalism in Sports
0:42:44 Rama's Personal Success and Career Goals
 
In this episode of the Performance Chain podcast, we have the pleasure of speaking with Rama Chan, who made the decision to join the Georgian National Rugby Union in Georgia. Rama has been living in Georgia for almost 11 months now, and he shares with us his journey and the impact he has had on Georgian Rugby.

As we start the conversation, we reflect on our recent coaching experience in Atlanta, Georgia, where we have been working with a client on coaching as a leadership tool and difficult conversations. It has been a joy to discuss coaching and development in this setting.

Rama's decision to move to Georgia was influenced by the unique culture and identity of the sport there. He saw an opportunity to have a significant influence as a leader, which appealed to him. Despite the challenge of the family situation, with a young baby girl and a toddler, he felt confident in his ability to adapt based on past experiences. The opportunity, financial situation, and environment were crucial factors in his decision-making process.

The cultural aspects of Georgia, such as the emphasis on family, food, and wine, have been enjoyable, and we have experienced exceptional cuisine and wine in the country. The people in Georgia are welcoming and hospitable, especially towards families, which has been a positive aspect. Integrating these cultural elements into Rama's plans has helped drive performance and accelerate progress within the organization.

During our conversation, we also dive into the importance of strong relationships and trust-building in Georgia. We discuss the Georgian tradition of massive supras, where there is plenty of food, wine, and conversation. These events provide opportunities for personal connections, which are crucial for success in Georgia. When it comes to giving feedback, we emphasize the importance of emotional intelligence and being clear about expectations. We have learned to be firm in our leadership positions and focus on the role and objective evidence.

We also touch upon the challenges of receiving direct feedback and the importance of managing and shaping the purpose and vision of a team. Trust is identified as a crucial element in feedback conversations, particularly in performance teams like rugby where results are critical. We discuss the need for ongoing clarity and over-communication from leaders to ensure understanding among team members.

Effective communication is also a topic of discussion, especially when working in different cultures. We emphasize the n

Neil and Jimmy discuss high performance with Davie Gray, mindset coach for the Hurricanes and Performance Coach at Flow State New Zealand.

In this episode, Jimmy and Neil dig into how athletes acheive balance in life, as well as explore Serena Guthrie's career in international netball competition.

Neil Tunnah and Jimmy Kelly join forces to create The Performance Chain Podcast, where high performers share their tips and strategies to take you to the next level.