England's Natural Born Leader

Andrew Strauss was born to lead England to victory Down Under.

"I hate failing at anything. I love winning. I'm quite determined to go to any depth necessary, within the rules, to achieve victory. I don't believe in bravado and shouting or being seen cracking the whip, that's not my style. But I'd refute any idea that I'm a soft touch, or that I don't want to win as much as others. I've never known anyone who wants to win more than I do. It's that simple. I'm a winner."

"I read a lot of stuff, not so much leadership, more self-improvement books. Things like Outliers: The Story of Success, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference. Biographies, I read a lot of them, you do get some leadership insight. I work with psychologists a bit. But, ultimately, I'm not sure you can borrow too much. You have to be authentic. People are looking for someone being himself, not spieling out management speak. Get too caught up in leadership styles from books, and you are drifting into dangerous territory where people say, 'hang on that's not you'."

"A cricket dressing room is quite a cynical place. If someone says something out of character it will be noticed. Besides, cricket is very specific: you have to go out on the field and do the same job as the people you're captaining. You can't hide away, you either lead by example or you don't lead."

"It's very tough to lead when you aren't contributing. You're telling people to go out there and look the opposition in the eye and you're trudging back to the dressing room not having done that, your leadership is in trouble. I've been very conscious of trying to manage my own game as a priority, that adds legitimacy and respect to your leadership."

For more, see: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/international/england/8081447/The-Ashes-2010-Andrew-Strauss-was-born-to-lead-England-to-victory-Down-Under.html

England's Natural Born Leader