"What is the truth of performance?" 

It's a question as relevant in the world of sport as it is in the worlds of business and investing. And it’s a question that drives everything former Wallaby Ben Darwin does with his team at GAIN LINE Analytics. Ben is our guest on this week’s episode of the Investing for Life podcast.

After suffering a career-ending neck injury in the 2003 Rugby World Cup semi-final, Ben went on a journey of self-discovery. Starting that fateful match, Ben finally felt like he was “where he wanted to be”. But, as he describes in this episode to host Douglas Isles, just one moment changed his life permanently. 

Over the coming years, Ben had to reflect and rebuild – physically and mentally – to work out where life would take him after the very real threat of quadriplegia. 

‪"When I had the injury, ‪the doctor said to me:‪ "This is gonna go one of three ways: ‪‪you become a quad; ‪‪you get killed; or you're gonna walk out of here." ‪‪So, I got to walk out‪."‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

It was during those years of reflection and rebuilding that he started to explore high-performing teams from a fresh perspective – as a coach and then analyst. The data drew him to the idea of ‘cohesion’, and its clear presence in high-performing teams: something he has now spent a decade sharing with clients across sport and business through his role as Co-founder and Director at GAIN LINE Analytics. 

"Talking to guys like Craig Bellamy, Arsene Wenger…they know they are not the reason for the success. They ‪know there's certain things they can do, but massive things they can't control.‬‬

"The level of understanding between the ‪participants of the team is far more predictive of the outcome than the level of individual skill."‪‪‬‬‬‬‬‬

Listen to this episode to hear more about:

- Ben's life-threatening injury in the 2003 World Cup semi-final against the All Blacks;
- His rehabilitation journey - physically and mentally - including his ADHD diagnosis;
- His transition from professional sport into a career in team cohesion, data and analytics; and
- His views on the importance of team cohesion for performance and engagement, and how organisations like the AFL have become the benchmark globally.

Investing for Life is hosted by Douglas Isles, Platinum Asset Management.

Disclaimer: Issued by Platinum Investment Management Limited ABN 25 063 565 006, AFSL 221935. This information is general in nature and does not take into account your specific needs or circumstances. You should consider your own financial position, objectives and requirements and seek professional financial advice before making any financial decisions.

Investing for Life, S2 | E14: Ben Darwin, Co-Founder of GAINLINE Analytics

Douglas Isles