Last week we unpacked Harvard scholar Joseph Nye’s idea that power isn’t about rank or title—it’s about your ability to influence others to act. You can use hard power (carrots and sticks) or soft power (attraction and belief). The real art is blending them into smart power—alignment without exhaustion.
This week, you don’t have to look to Washington or Wall Street to see it in play. You can look to Suncorp Stadium.
In the 2025 NRL preliminary final, the Brisbane Broncos went into halftime down 14–0. Most teams fold there. They came back to win 16–14, booking a grand final spot.
That comeback wasn’t luck. It was leadership. Two coaches, two very different pitches:
- Kevin "Kevvie" Walters: Rebuilt pride in the jersey. Attraction. Soft power.
- Michael “Madge” Maguire: Brutal pre-season. Drop players who don’t meet standards. Coercion. Hard power.
- Together: Belief layered on discipline. Smart power.
How the Broncos Story Fits SPACE
Here’s how this maps to our SPACE framework—Pitch Camp's simple way to test whether your pitch holds up: Start with the outcome, name the pain, drive alignment, keep it clear, and embody it.
(S) Start with the Outcome
Kevvie: win by restoring pride.
Madge: win through standards.
(P) Pain Point
Kevvie: the club had lost its soul.
Madge: pride without performance wins nothing.
(A) Alignment
Kevvie: rally behind the jersey.
Madge: benched under-performers and rule-breakers—no exceptions.
(C) Clarity
Kevvie: simple message—play for pride.
Madge: defend harder, train harder, or don’t play.
(E) Embody the Pitch
Kevvie: lived the passion.
Madge: lived the standards.
Why This Matters for Leaders
- CEOs: Culture slogans aren’t enough. Standards protect strategy when pressure hits.
- Managers: Sometimes you need Kevvie’s heart. Sometimes Madge’s steel. The art is knowing which lever to pull.
The Broncos’ comeback isn’t a sports fairytale. It’s a parable for business: belief is pitched, standards are enforced, and trust is built when both work together.
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Happy Pitching,
Pete & Rosie—The Pitch Camp Team