Bennett, W. and Crawley, S., Wayne Bennett - Don't Die with the Music in You, ABC Books, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 2007

I have this question I ask at dinners/lunches which is "If you could have any three people as dinner guests who would you have?" with the variations of dead or alive or alive only or politicians or sports people and so on. It can sometimes give you an insight into the person, but it always throws up surprises as often they are an obscure person. I am shallow enough to admit that Elle McPherson is always on my list (...because she is an inspirational business person ... duh!!). BUT ...the other one is Wayne Bennett ...and I often change the third person.

Wayne has been the inspirational coach at the Brisbane Broncos Rugby League Club since their foundation in 1988. He leaves for the St George Illawarra Dragons in 2009. I was also watching the Channel Nine Rugby League Footy Show last night as well - it was a Wayne Bennett "luvathon"!! Tonight is also Wayne's possible last home game in Brisbane. The Brisbane Broncos are playing the Newcastle Knights - so a big evening - I will be home watching it on TV.

This book is also the first "inspirational" or "leadership" book I have read. Why haven't I read one before? I think the difference is Wayne is real and has been there and done that, and perhaps the others have also been there and done that ...but the back cover summary of their books always seems plastic to me. Wayne is anything but plastic.

His philosophy, if I had to capture it, is that you need to prepare the whole person not just coach the footballer. Wayne had a reputation for making sure the right culture existed for the players to thrive, train and play. He also felt that the accolades should go to the players and that was one of the reasons he shunned the media.

He is also a self confessed "quote collector" and the book is quite literally full of them (mostly unattributed - not that that is an issue). In fact at times I suspect it detracted from the flow of the story. His respect for the recently deceased master coach Jack Gibson is something that moulded Wayne's philosophy toward football coaching and the way he treated his players.  I can understand that - Jack is a very true legend of the game.

What did I learn? I think I got a good insight into the traits of leadership, perseverance, seeing the value in all humans (not just the stars) and respect - respect for people for who they are not the position or opinion they might hold.

Lastly, there is the poignant story of Wayne's children. He has three, two disabled. He and Trish (his wife) and his children opened up for the ABC television's "Australian Story" series. I remember that the ABC had to repeat the episode by popular demand. You couldn't help but admire them and all those that are in similar situations. That's why I think my third at the dinner table would be Trish.