CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAMS CAN INSPIRE BUSINESS LEADERS
Much of the globe has been riveted by the physical bravado, drama and excellence of the World Cup in Brazil, this past month. The event was intense because of the stakes of the game as well as the different coaching styles and players of each team. This kind of competition is the perfect setting for an analogy of the relationship between team performance and leadership methods in the business world.
Recently, while working with a senior executive coaching client, we determined there were three factors evident both in World Cup competition and the task of creating excellence in the workplace. Let's take a look at Mind Body Soul set (MBSset), RIsk and Focus on the whole team. What can business leaders and their teams learn from these football matches?
1. Mind Body Soul Set
My client expressed how incredible it is to observe the MINDset, or brain activity, that creates high performance of a well-honed athlete or a successful employee when they are at the top of their game. Then the question arose – is it just MINDset? Take the formidable match between Costa Rica and the Netherlands. Even after 120 minutes of strategic, focused and athletic fortitude of full time play, it came down to a penalty shootouts. It ended with the Netherlands winning 4-3 penalty shots. This was a display of phenomenal focus, leadership and team connectedness. It was obviously more than simply MINDset.
MINDset entails logic, focus, analytical and strategic thinking, skill and creativity. What I like to call "BODYset" is the energy driver for the mind and needs to be in top form to sustain long intense athletic and working moments. It does this with healthy eating, sufficient sleeping, periods of relaxation between intense periods and hydration, to name a few. Underneath that, in a very deep layer of our human existence, is the "SOULset". This is the passion, greater purpose and drive that convinces the mind and the body to perform extraordinary feats. The game between the Netherlands and Costa Rica displayed the powerful combination of Mind Body Soul Sets working harmoniously together for both teams.
A successful organization depends on,
- Its employees, teams and leadership being connected to the MBSset.
- looking at what is the true purpose and narrative (Soul) of your team or project or organization
- linking/aligning your narrative to your strategies
- focusing the Mind and the physical energy and health (Body) of your employees
- keeping your eye on the ball at all costs
- high effective and efficient performance
2. Risk
Football like many other sports it is about taking risks – as is business and life today. During the final between Argentina and Germany, you saw how many strategic performance risks the German team took and it proved successful.
In the Netherlands / Costa Rica match, the Coach of the Netherlands team replaced the goalie for the penalty shootouts. The intensity of this high stakes penalty shoot out can be and was an extremely risky disruptor mentally, physically and emotionally. This was a bold move and extremely risky play that could have resulted either way – win or lose. To move through a disruptive situation like this, it shows how much strength, focus and calm is needed from a Mind Body Soul Set (MBSSet) connection. This can combat the fragile veneer of some who can fall prey to stress and nerves when the steeliness is truly needed.
Along with being disruptive, risk is about performing extremes and believing to expect the unexpected. The Dutch coach and the team were working in the 1% extreme of winning or losing – the extraordinary - and not settling for the 99% of being ordinary. This decision worked to their success. Playing high stakes business or football is about being disruptive and working with extremes on the field or in the meetings rooms or externally with clients at times. Risk is vital for growth and change.
In organizations, leaders and team leaders and the employees have to
- take risks and create possible disruptive situations
- expect the unexpected at all turns in a project, meeting or communication
- often take uncomfortable risks for the sake of the organization moving forward – e.g. downsizing or removing and changing people in influential positions; or taking creative or strategic decisions that have never been experienced before.
- take full responsibility for your actions
- go for the 1% = extraordinary!
3. Focus on the Entire Team
The semi-final between Brazil and Germany is a perfect example of giving power and success to a team's star players. Brazil went into this game without injured superstar Neymar da Silva Santo and team captain Thiago Silva, who was benched after a yellow card penalty. Without these key players the team wallowed in a state of negativity, wondering how they could possibly win. You could see this through their emotions, body language and lack of connectedness as a team.
The game played out like a bizarre and disconnected horror movie for the Brazilians. The Germans scored five goals within 30 minutes of the match, three of those within three minutes. The game ended with a 7 to 1 unprecedented victory for Germany whose team was well connected to its MBSset and constantly took risks. They could do no wrong. The Brazilians were disconnected as a team and there was no sign of successful leadership. Because of its focus on only two players, despite the fact that each member was an accomplished athlete, the team suffered as a whole.
Successful teams are made up of
- strong and talented individuals of multiple skills and technique
- leadership focused on a centered MBSset
- management who put each employee in a position to thrive.
- focusing on the team and not just on star
- a strong purpose story that motivates and inspires
There are many other parallels that can be found in World Cup football and other elite sports. There are pros and cons or positives and negatives to these thoughts in this article as are all articles. Take a few moments to contemplate leadership, how your teams are functioning and the results you are getting in your organization. Perhaps these three factors – MBSset (connection), Risk and Focus on the Whole Team can assist you in leading your team and organization to succeed and thrive.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kevin Cottam
Kevin Cottam is a performance mastery coach, keynote speaker and trainer. His unique experience as a trainer and choreographer for national...
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