THE FOOTBALL season just underway in England; holds the promise of captivating the attention of worldwide audiences, way into the next summer.
Newer stars will be born. Fancied teams might find unknown quantities, too hot to handle. Managers will need more medication. The fans will find their lives inextricably tied, to the events that transpire on the football pitch. The weekend schedule, might begin to revolve around which match is on. And that as always, is unlikely to help things with the better half.
But lurking underneath this culture of the ‘super Saturday or Sunday’; there lie compelling examples of how teams in any sphere, are being put together these days. And this makes for interesting fodder, for those in corporate think tanks to chew on.
Most modern day organizations are facing the challenge, of getting their employees to go forth with ‘soccer like synergy’. Perhaps observing how some of England’s super clubs have looked at team structures, might just unravel some insights for the white collar world. These perspectives could be pertinent, to how things can get energized, in the quest for organizational goals.
Gunning to bolster the Arsenal
Arsene Wenger was the one manager, who probably first infused fresh ideas from the continent into the English game. Arsenal before Wenger, were as exciting as the prospect of watching five hours of live footage, of someone mowing a lawn. But Wenger got the club to play in a distinctive eye catching style, and for a while all was well and trophies flowed in.
However over the last few years, Arsenal has flattered to deceive. Wenger’s faith in sculpting players, surely received a body blow this season, with the departure of Fabregas and Nasri, two essential keys to the very playing culture of the club. Wenger’s stubborn refusal, to look at strong minded defensive players, also seems to be hurting the club. The obsession with the beautiful game; is sadly only resulting in ugly results for the club these days.
The case of Arsenal throws up many interesting pointers for modern day business leaders. There is the learning, that it takes all kinds to make a potent team. Especially the less celebrated members, who are vital in that they do most of the ‘dirty work’. There is also the possible necessity, in bringing in team players, who have been raised in different organizational cultures; especially if things haven’t been going well for a while. Sticking rigidly with what worked once fabulously, might just be the recipe for gunning down the future. Especially in changing times.
From Sir with love
Sir Alex Ferguson is a shining example, of what exactly a leader needs to do, to get the job done in the present age. In an era when winning one premiership was an onerous chore in itself; the fiery Scotsman has accumulated them, like an ‘adult content’ website accumulates hits.
This season as well, Manchester United has got off the blocks, in the manner of Usain Bolt. The new signings seem to have clicked. The graduating disciples from the academy have found their feet. And the old guard has held firm. Perhaps the only lacunae; might be the lack of a genuine world class playmaker, in the Xavi mould. But United have won trophies with a lot less.
Sir Alex has been legendary in instilling in his players, a desire to win at all costs, even when the body is unwilling. This is a trait which shines through time and again, especially in the unparalleled ability of United to score late goals.
The reds and their iconic manager, offer a great forum for the corporate world to borrow ideas from in putting together winning teams. Ferguson does not completely base his fortunes on the Manchester United youth system, though he does astutely avail of it. He does not buy readymade stars. Rather he has the uncanny knack of picking precocious talents, and giving them a platform just as they are set to shine. The cases of Ronaldo and Rooney; are only a few in a long line that corroborate this.
The Ferguson approach seems to be flexible enough, to create a system and a culture that he can control. But absolutely rigid, on the commitment levels required of his players, and his expectations of them.
At times Manchester United simply bundle the ball over the line to score. But as leaders in the corporate world would concur, sometimes it is not about looking pretty; it is about getting the job done.
The City which never sleeps
The EPL is undoubtedly the most competitive league in the world. This is because there are at present, at least five clubs that can stake a genuine championship claim. And the most recent contender which has emerged is Manchester City.
The rise of City, has added extra spice to all Manchester derbies. And a litmus like ‘red or blue’ outcome to such events. But City present a fascinating case of how those with the resources, can look to enter and dominate just about any domain in industry. Perhaps Chelsea under Abramovich, and Real Madrid with their ‘galacticos’ strategy, are past users to this approach.
It will be interesting to witness, how an expensively assembled team, will come together and take the club forward. Because in a team sport like soccer; eleven great players, sometimes don’t add up to one great team.
The onus is on the leader, as it is in the case of companies which employ this approach; to create a culture which binds these players together. He has to leash the myriad egos, and foster a sense of the collective cause. And that is never easy.
Hence watching how Manchester City plays this season; will not just provide for great entertainment. It might also trigger strategies for bringing prima donnas together more effectively.
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In addition there is Liverpool who has brought back Kenny Dalglish, someone seeped in the ethos of the club. And Chelsea, trying to repeat the Mourinho story with Andre Villas Boas. Finally Spurs, who have been guided by the industry of Harry Redknapp for the past few seasons; and seem to be resurrecting their glorious past somewhat. And these complete a bunch of teams, genuinely vying for the premiership. While who will win eventually remains an intriguing prospect; it is time that the white collar world sat up and took notice, of what the men behind the touchlines are up to. For in guiding your favorite team to victory, they must just trigger ideas for scoring team goals back at the office…
