Ashes 2023: What Ben Stokes and Bazball can teach business leaders - Ian Briggs

Developed by coach Brendon McCullum and mercurial captain Ben Stokes, it refers to a style and mindset that emphasises positive decision making, both tactically as a team and individually as a player.

Following a phenomenal winning streak after adopting the approach last year, defeat in the first two Ashes Tests saw many pundits describing England’s ‘Bazball at all costs’ approach as “reckless”.

But a victory at Headingley followed by a dominant performance at Old Trafford that was curtailed by the weather has gone some way to silencing the doubters. It’s clear the Bazball way is set to stay. And I am all for it.

As well as transforming England from a struggling side into one of the most dynamic and exciting teams on the planet, it has helped many people fall back in love with the long form version of the game.

Just as importantly, it has empowered a group of professional sportsmen to wholeheartedly buy into a new philosophy, adopt a positive mindset and have the confidence to express themselves in the knowledge they will not be criticised for it.

There are several lessons that communicators, leaders and teams can take from Bazball to the workplace and use to help build positive cultures and performance.

1. Opportunity focused

It’s a typical human trait to analyse perceived past mistakes rather than living in the present and focusing on future ambitions and goals. In Bazball, batsmen are encouraged to forget about the ball that got them out and go for the same shot if they think it’s going to bring success next time. ‘Opportunity’ is the watchword, focusing on what will go right, not what could go wrong.

2. Positive mindset

We’ve all been there: having a grumble about colleagues, customers or something work-related is easy to do, especially when it’s busy and you feel under pressure. But everyone working together for a common purpose in a positive working environment is key to success for businesses and individuals. This can be nurtured through showing respect and kindness to each other, developing active listening skills and, as England skipper Stokes has emphasised, not taking it all too seriously.

3. Wellbeing matters

Stokes’s well-publicised off the field challenges, including a court case and spell away from the game for mental health reasons, has clearly influenced England’s approach to health and wellbeing within the squad and the way they play the game. Creating the right environment for teams to feel healthy and happy is key for business performance.

4. Trust the team

Creating an environment where people are free to express themselves not only increases the chances of success but also promotes a place where everyone wants to work. In my experience employees who are given greater freedom are more motivated, confident and productive, not less.

‘It’s not cricket’ is a well-known phrase referring to unsportsmanlike conduct in sports or business. Bazball shows that on the field or in the workplace, it most definitely is the way to play.

Ian Briggs is a director at Leeds-based Aberfield Communications