Why I banned swearing at the Perth Wildcats and here’s what followed...

In early 2009 I was assigned the task of managing the Perth Wildcats, a professional basketball team in Western Australia.

Given my lack of basketball or even sporting expertise, I had to rely entirely on my management experience to turn around what was a failing organisation.

There are very few benefits of practicing as a consultant - particularly in turn-around management. Of note, however, is the fact that some, if not many, of the existing practices have not worked, or may have even contributed to the failings. In such circumstances the turn-around management consultant is often given some latitude to effect change.

It quickly occurred to me that sport, not unlike many other industries in today’s fast-paced world, can be a very high-pressure environment.

A significant proportion of time is spent in a constant state of disruption - reacting to the unexpected challenges and opportunities and constantly seeking to exploit the changing landscape.

All of this, of course, relates to what hap…