Dave Donaghy: Leading the Broncos & How Small Actions Lead to Big Vision

Dave Donaghy is the CEO of the Brisbane Broncos — one of the most iconic sporting organisations in Australia. This past year has brought its challenges, but also strong results off the field and a clear long-term vision as Brisbane prepares for a golden decade leading into the Olympics. I asked Dave about how a vision is built — not just because I’m curious, but because I want the rugby league community in my home country in Papua New Guinea to hear how one of the biggest clubs in the world sets direction, stays focused, and gets results. What stood out is how simple the process can be when done well: “What do we need to start doing, stop doing, and keep doing?” “What’s worked? What hasn’t?” “Was the timing just not right?” “Listen to the people who’ve been here longer than you.” This episode reminds us that you don’t need a lot of resources to make progress — small actions like staying focused, asking the right questions, and committing to your vision day by day can take you a long way, no matter where you’re from. We also chat about procrastination, productivity, leadership, and stories from Dave’s journey — from Melbourne Storm to the Broncos. Dave is a proud supporter of the Carl Webb Foundation, helping raise awareness and support for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) — a condition affecting some of rugby league’s toughest players, including Carl Webb, my former PNG teammate Tu’u Maori, and the UK’s Rob Burrow. 👉 Learn more or donate: https://www.carlwebbfoundation.org Connect with Dave and follow him on: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-donaghy-03795736/ About David Mead: David played 14 years of professional rugby league, representing the Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans, Catalans Dragons, and captaining the PNG Kumuls. With over 230 professional games and 15 international appearances , he’s gained valuable insight into what it takes to perform at the highest level. Now, through conversations with fellow athletes, business minds, and community leaders, David shares real stories and lessons to inspire and empower the next generation. Connect with David and follow him on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.mead.94 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmead411/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/davidmead411 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mead-7604b986/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmead411?lang=enYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@davidmeadpodcast