Facing the All Blacks Haka as the Captain of Manu Samoa, inspired me to create the HAKA Leadership model. Facing the challenge head-on with the traditional Samoan war dance called SIVA TAU was an experience that motivated me to help people overcome their own
leadership challenges, and leading teams into the unknown with their own Haka by utilising the:
Habits-Adaptability-Kindness-Attitude.
As one of only a handful of International Captains to face the All Blacks and the Haka there were many factors involved to create the High-Performance
programme. Elite Sports teams are similar to business teams and leadership. I have created the training to focus on culture, mindset, habits, effective communication and psychological safety. Why developing and building culture in a changing environment leads to successful teams, importantly why the
mindset matters.
Growing up in New Zealand my parents migrated from Samoa in the 1970s. During this period Pacific Peoples flooded into New Zealand to help the shortage of blue-collared workers and the economy. The challenges they faced in coming to a different culture and adapting to learning English and the New Zealand way of life.
My mother Loana worked in factories and raised her five children alongside my Father Reverend Fogatia Levi. My father worked in the Railways industry and left this job to pursue University studies first through St Johns and then Knox theological hall in Dunedin and trained and to be ordained as a New Zealand Presbyterian Minister. He gave myself and siblings greater opportunities in education and passion to help others fulfil their potential by stepping out in faith.
During my 13 years of Professional Rugby experiences, I played in Super Rugby, NPC National Provincial Championship, Heineken Cup, England’s Premiership and Championship. In New Zealand-The Highlanders, Otago, Tasman Makos, Ricoh in Japan, Pacific Islanders team, Manu Samoa, UK Newcastle Falcons, Nottingham and Ospreys In Wales.
I was the International Rugby Captain of Manu Samoa in 2008 and 2011 was a highlight and represented the Under 21 New Zealand Rugby World Cup-winning team in 2000. Former All Black Coach John Mitchell called me to say I was a standby All Black in 2002. An injury kept me from playing that elusive test against the South African Springboks team in Wellington. The challenges to wait for another opportunity made me realise the opportunities were limited and to pivot and trial and humbled to be selected for Manu Samoa.
Since retiring from Rugby in 2013 I transitioned into Private Education and then Partnership Schools in West and South Auckland. My plan was to create my business in either education to help low socioeconomic areas or a motivational speaker. My transitioning from Rugby into a career was mentally challenging. Studies have shown that many athletes go through this period of mourning and also mentally stressed and at times depression, alcoholism, stress anxiety and lost sense of direction and purpose.
My passion is to inspire, motivate and encourage people to fulfil their potential and develop their leadership influence. Working from corporates to talking to senior managers about effective communication and good habits. In the Samoan language these sayings are what guide me and my Christian values to treat everyone equally.
E le sili le ta’i I lo le tapua’i
One cannot achieve success but with guidance.
O le ala o le pule le tautua.
The pathway to leadership is by serving
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