The Loneliest Job on the Field - Lessons from a World-Class Rugby Referee

What does it take to hold professional athletes to the highest standards - without ever raising your voice?

Maggie Cogger-Orr is one of New Zealand's top rugby referees and the current Referee of the Year. Originally from Canada, she grew up playing gridiron football before falling in love with rugby - and after two ACL injuries ended her playing ambitions, she went all-in on refereeing. She's now officiating at the top level of the men's and women's game.

In this conversation, Maggie unpacks the "know me, be me, stay me" framework NZ's top referees use to perform under pressure, and why accountability has nothing to do with anger. She shares the early mistakes that taught her how to de-escalate, how she processes being shouted at in front of thousands of people, and what every leader can learn from the loneliest job on the field.