RFU Leadership Intervention | London, 2025
Type of work:
Behind closed-doors leadership intervention with RFU
Topic:
Upskilling in transformational leadership and exploring unthinkables
Client:
Rugby Football Union – England
Thinking the Unthinkable was invited to design and deliver a private 75-minute leadership intervention as part of the RFU’s internal programme.
The session was conducted under Chatham House-style conditions to enable open, candid discussion among senior figures.
Nik Gowing delivered a focused 25-minute provocation keynote, challenging participants to examine blind spots, systemic pressures and the leadership behaviours required in a period of disruption and scrutiny.
“A huge thank you for the session. Your session definitely set us up in the right way for the rest of the event. And thank you for contributing throughout the rest of the day.”
— Vincent Thorne | Strategy and Operations Director, Rugby Football Union
What we achieved
The keynote provocation was followed by a two-part interactive workshop:
Exploring unthinkables (macro and micro) – identifying strategic and operational vulnerabilities, stress-testing assumptions, and surfacing risks that may otherwise remain undiscussed.
Upskilling in transformational leadership – strengthening the “mind muscle” needed to lead through uncertainty, complexity and reputational risk.
The Outcome?
The session created space for honest reflection at senior level, clarified where “unthinkables” were already visible but under-acknowledged, and sharpened collective understanding of the leadership shifts required to navigate future shocks with greater resilience and coherence.
About RFU
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the national governing body for rugby union in England. It manages elite teams, including the England national team, and supports grassroots rugby. The organization represents over 2,000 clubs, aiming to promote the game, ensure fair play, and invest profits back into the sport
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