Not every partnership starts with a perfectly run meeting.
Recently, we had the team from ASWEFA in at our Auckland office. There was a plan… but it didn’t take long for it to drift. Next minute we’re deep into rugby league chat, backing our teams and arguing why the Wahs are taking it this year.
Standard.
But in between all of that, there were some solid conversations happening. The kind where you talk about the journey, what’s actually been happening behind the scenes and where things are heading next. No fluff, no posturing, just being clear about what’s real.
And that’s usually where you figure out pretty quickly if things are going to work or not.
A few of the boys got out on the golf course after, and it was the same vibe. No pressure, no one trying to be anything they’re not. Just good people, having a laugh and giving it a go. Funny enough, that’s when people tend to perform better anyway.
That’s not accidental.
The environment you create matters. When people feel comfortable, they speak honestly. When conversations are honest, decisions get clearer. And when things are clear, the work gets done properly.
There’s some serious work about to kick off between Oyonnx and ASWEFA across strategy, finance and people. The kind of work that needs structure, straight conversations and follow-through.
Nothing flashy. Just doing what we said we would do, and doing it well.
That’s how we operate.