Building high-performing teams: lessons from elite sport
Building high-performing teams: lessons from elite sport
About the event
The launch of the PMG Leadership Series brought together a curated group of senior executives and commercial real estate leaders at the Queensland Cricketers Club, overlooking the Gabba.
Tica Masuku, PMG’s Director of Workplace Strategy, opened with an introduction to human geography, the study of how people and place shape each other. She then moderated a conversation with former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper and former NRL player and Queensland Rugby League CEO Ben Ikin on what elite sport teaches about building teams that perform under pressure.
“What they need from their captain in those moments is direction.”
Michael Hooper
LIVE SURVEY OF GUESTS
What the room told us
56%
named technology or tools as the biggest influence on team performance this year
95%
rate the workplace’s impact on business performance as significant
67%
say culture and connection matter most to their people in the office
59%
had never heard of human geography
Event Details
DATE
Thursday 15 October 2026
VENUE
Queensland Cricketers Club, The Gabba
FORMAT
Leadership Luncheon and Panel
PMG Leadership Series Report QLD 2026
Speakers
PRESENTER & MODERATOR
Tica Masuku
Director of Workplace Strategy, PMG Group
PANELLIST
Michael Hooper
Former Australian Wallabies Captain
PANELLIST
Ben Ikin
Former NRL player & SearchX CEO
M.C
Kate Gibson
Director of Clients & Strategy, PMG Group
Event Highlights
Photo Gallery
Insights from the event
EVENT RECAP
What Elite Sport Can Teach Business Leaders About High-Performing Teams
Six lessons from Michael Hooper and Ben Ikin on clarity, preparation and recovering from mistakes.
SURVEY RESULTS
2026 Insights on Building a High Performing Team
Most leaders credit technology for this year’s performance. Their people say culture and connection matter most.
REPORT
PMG Leadership Series Report | QLD 2026
Key findings, the research behind them and what they mean for workplace decisions.
Join us at the next PMG Leadership Series Event
The PMG Leadership Series is heading to more cities. Register your interest and we’ll let you know when dates are set.