Podcast

S2 Episode 4: 🏉 Colin Mansbridge - Crusaders

17 Jun 2025

What the Crusaders Can Teach Us About Culture, Leadership, and ‘Soft’ Skills

Culture is the backbone of high-performing teams. That’s one of the standout messages from a recent episode of the Bold Company podcast featuring Colin Mansbridge, CEO of the Crusaders.

Season 2 Episode 4

From a team with one of the most iconic legacies in New Zealand sport, you'd expect a focus on performance, precision, and results. And yes, those are all there. But what Colin shares goes deeper, and it might just challenge how you think about leadership in your own business.

He talks openly about why culture deserves attention even when budgets are tight, how real relationships make hard conversations easier, and what the Crusaders’ rebrand was really about (hint: it goes way beyond visuals). There’s also a compelling look at how great teams intentionally work on culture, not just operate within it.

One moment that stuck with us was his take on ‘soft skills’. It’s a brilliant reminder that the so-called soft stuff, like communication, empathy, and trust, is often the hardest to get right.

“I’ve never heard a soft skill delivered softly.”

So, if you’re curious about what sets high-performing teams apart or how to lead with authenticity while still driving results, this is an episode worth your time.

🎧 Listen to Colin’s full episode on the Bold Company podcast. You’ll come away with fresh insight, whether you’re leading a team of five or five hundred. Listen below, or find and subscribe to Bold Company on Spotify or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.