At the start of the 2017 AFL season, the Swans were in serious trouble. After reaching the Grand Final the year before, expectations were sky‑high. Then came six straight losses. Confidence fell, pressure mounted, and nothing seemed to work. 

So where do you begin as a leader when everything is going wrong? 

Former @sydneyswans head coach John Longmire says a series of critical decisions helped turn the season around. He shares the non‑negotiables he relies on to motivate teams, rebuild belief, and create cultures that perform under pressure. 

Now working with the Sydney Swans Institute, John partners with leaders across sport and business to lift performance and sustain it. 

If you’re leading a team through uncertainty, or looking to raise your own performance, this episode offers a practical and proven leadership playbook. 

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John Longmire is facilitating a special short course on leadership with AGSM at UNSW Business School on 12 May, 2026 – register here. 

Interested in the business of sport? Listen to our episode with Drew Arthurson, Chief Operating Officer at Sydney Swans. 

The Business Of podcast is brought to you by the University of New South Wales Business School, produced with Deadset Studios. It’s hosted by Dr Juliet Bourke, and the transcript can be found on our website. 

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We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which this show was made.