Watching soccer develop into the huge business it has become today has been fascinating.
Off the field, everything has changed – in terms of ownership, investment, fan experience, marketing, agent and player power; the whole ball game bears no resemblance to the parochial, local industry of only 10 years ago.
On the field though, little has changed. It’s still all about possession, pace and position – and the great coaches still obsess over three things:
– man management,
– tactical details,
– extraordinary physical output.
These principles were practised in prior generations by the great managers – Sir Alex Ferguson, Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Brian Clough and Joe Mercer / Malcolm Allison.
Today they’re epitomised by Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino.
These three principles are at the core of leading businesses in all industries today.
1) Great business leaders invest in man management; inspiring peak performance in everyone they touch, making things happen, creating leaders throughout the team and instilling self-belief in pursuit of the Company’s Purpose throughout the organisation.
2) They are tactically astute and are across every detail of their business. They understand that to win you must start with the answer and work back. And you must focus on Failing Fast, Learning Fast and Fixing Fast.
3) Finally they demonstrate and demand extraordinary physical output. They inspire their teams to work smarter and harder than competitors, and to love life in a culture founded on the Four Pillars – Responsibility, Learning, Recognition and Joy.
Watch Manchester City and Liverpool to see how their leaders (coaches) inspire Peak Performance every week – it’ll work in your industry too.
KR
