The Maori motivator

By VIKKI BLAND

Imagine rebuilding a life and career following the death of a loved spouse. Now imagine getting back to work following the loss of a limb. Put those two together, and you have the real life of rugby league legend Tawera Nikau.

Nikau, 37, is a father of two and stakeholder in TeamOne, a corporate motivational firm which employs inspirational people to teach its programmes and engage in corporate events.

He has also founded the N2N sports academy in Huntly for young people, owns a bakery, coaches a rugby league team, and hopes to compete in the 2008 Paralympics in javelin and discus.

But in 2001 Nikau lost his wife Letitia to suicide and last year the lower half of his right leg was amputated following a motorcycle accident. For a time, the veteran league player who played more than 450 top level rugby league games in three countries, found himself a single parent on ACC.

Yet despite such recent personal tragedy, Nikau is widely acclaimed for his positive attitude, drive and work ethic.

Regularly quoted on his views on the value of life and the difference the right attitude makes, Nikau has helped promote the release of his biography, Standing Tall, The Tawera Nikau Story, coached the WaiCoa Bay Stallions rugby league team and been selected to guide the 2004 New Zealand Maori squad to compete at the Pacific Cup.

A professional sports career has helped him develop life skills that served him well when tragedy forced him in new directions.

"That's where a lot of my mental toughness comes from. When I was going through rehab on my leg I was able to be goal orientated and vision focused - something you have to be in sports."

Nikau says sportspeople today are aware of the importance of establishing a career beyond sport and use managers, accountants and parents as mentors.

"My advice to them is to find something they can enjoy and that sustains them. I wouldn't say it can't be tough, though. It's not like there's an after-sports finishing school."

He says the best people to work for are those you like and admire.

"I've got that at TeamOne with guys like Frano Botica and Eric Rush; they are down to earth people and really nice."

In a corporate motivational speech to recruiters Drake International this month, Nikau described the impact of TeamOne's motivational programmes on his own life and his subsequent decision to teach and invest in them.

"The PowerTrain programme is the best I have seen anywhere in the world. It had such a dramatic impact on my own life; I have had to adapt to change, I can't live in the past. I have got to view life through a new lens that gives my children and me a new future."

But if motivational programmes were all it took, Tony Robbins would rule the world and everyone would be happy.

So why and how is Nikau so positive? Where does his attitude come from? And, if he feels this way after such personal tragedy, can anyone? Nikau says they can.

"I honestly believe that people can achieve absolutely anything they want. Like anything in life you have to practise at things to get better and better and it all takes a lot of hard work."

Something he knows a bit about. While Nikau says accident compensation agency ACC was "fantastic" in its support of his rehabilitation, coming back physically, mentally and emotionally from his accident and the loss of his wife took months of hard work, physiotherapy, counselling, talking and other rehabilitation exercises.

Nikau says maintaining a sense of humour helped him recuperate from the amputation, and in Standing Tall describes an initial decision to keep his amputated leg in a jar at home.

"It was a mess and it had turned black as well. Hell it was gory really. So in the end I buried it on Taupiri Mountain ... " he says in the book. "We Maoris are good at humour," laughs Nikau.

Describing the loss of his wife, Nikau says people who have suffered but need to work regardless must realise the importance of dealing with emotional trauma and grief first and foremost.

"The main thing people need to be sure of is that they are mentally and emotionally ready to go back into the workforce. They may be physically ready; but getting that counselling and emotional support first is very important."

Nikau says he is fortunate in that he has not had to deal with the trials life has thrown at him alone, and credits his parents, children and extended family for his positive attitude and zest for life.

"My attitude comes from within and is part of being bought up in an awesome family. I have always been loved and always been able to say I can achieve anything I want to. And I have two wonderful children who are my energy."

Nikau is also practical about the necessity to keep working no matter what.

He jokes that while he has personal goals and aspirations, his main goal for the future is to "keep slaving away" while his children grow up. "My daughter will probably go to university and that's something I want to help support.

"There's nothing like kids for bringing you down to earth and helping you just get on with it."

* Standing Tall, The Tawera Nikau Story by Richard Becht.

* HarperCollins, $34.95.




How to get back to work after an accident


For employers:

* Keep in touch with your employee while they are absent from work.

* Work with your employee and their ACC case manager on a return-to-work plan.

* Keep your employee's job open during the rehabilitation process.

* Give your employee the opportunity to work reduced hours if needed. ACC can top up their income.

* Give your employee alternative duties, or modify tasks, while they recover.

* Communicate regularly with your employee about their needs and how they are progressing once they return to work.

For employees and the self-employed:

* Pay attention to recovering emotionally, mentally and physically. For some, getting back to work helps these processes while others will benefit from not working for a time.

* Consider your career options - you can return to the same job with the same employer, find a different job with the same employer, find a different employer using your existing skills, or strike out in a new career direction.

* Don't underestimate the power of attitude.

* Take an active part in decisions about treatment and support.

* Involve family or other important people in your treatment team.

* Daily exercise, a healthy diet, plenty of fluids and relaxation can all be important in helping recovery and getting you back to work.

* Sleep regular hours and avoid sleeping during the day.

* ACC can provide occupational and medical assessments that identify skills and suitable work options.

* ACC can also buy equipment for your workplace, arrange short-term transport assistance, and help with job applications.

Sources: Accident Compensation Corporation; Mental Health Foundation, 2004