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Gilbert Enoka: The Mind Behind the All Blacks

Gilbert Enoka: The Mind Behind the All Blacks

Update: 2025-11-18
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What makes the All Blacks the most successful international sporting team of all time?

For Gilbert Enoka, who spent 23 years shaping their mindset and culture, the answer begins within.

In September, when Luke walked into Aleda’s leadership conference in London, the Head Coach of the United States Women’s National Team, Emma Hayes, was clutching Gilbert’s book in her hands. She looked up at Luke and said, “You have to read this.” (Emma’s recent episode is here.)

In this episode of Empowering Leaders, after reading the book as prescribed, Luke sits down with the legendary mental skills coach whose work has transformed how the world thinks about leadership, pressure and performance. From his early years in an orphanage to two decades guiding the All Blacks, Gilbert shares timeless lessons about resilience, self-belief and the quiet power of structure and humility.

He explains why you’ll never rise above your opinion of yourself, how great leaders “nail it not nearly it,” and why there can be no external gains without an internal shift. One of our favourite bits (because we do this here at Aleda) is when Gilbert reminds us not to rush past our successes but to instead “vent our joy” just as we vent our problems.

You’ll hear Luke mention NBA great Steve Kerr’s recent episode - listen (or listen again) here.

Learn. Lead. Collaborate.

Start your leadership journey today. Head here to find out more about our signature, cross industry collaboration program, Aleda Connect. Curated and facilitated by experts, running for 8 fortnightly sessions, Aleda Connect is the learning experience of a life-time. Book a discovery call today.

Empowering Leaders is proudly partnered with Victoria University. Find more information about studying at VU here.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Gilbert Enoka: The Mind Behind the All Blacks

Gilbert Enoka: The Mind Behind the All Blacks

Aleda