It was a weekend of Rugby and Super Bowl with a win and a loss for my team’s. England losing the opening rugby Six Nations game against France (when their own head coach Eddie Jones, states the team forgot how to play rugby in the first half, there really is no defence) and Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl whilst demonstrating phenomenal synergy and spirit. That 4th quarter, what a comeback!
The similarities between sport and business are astonishing, after all sport is a business. The more trophies and titles the team wins, the more profitable both the team and players become. All you need to do is look at some of the most successful sports coaches and managers to gain insight into techniques which can easily be transferred from the field or pitch to your business.
For any football (or soccer for my American or Canadian readers) fans there are a host of names who you could debate are the greatest manager’s; Alex Ferguson, José Mourinho, Arsène Wenger, Rafael Benítez, Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola to name a few.
Alex Ferguson’s managerial career spans nearly 40 years and winning over 45 trophies. Ferguson is notorious for his feisty “my way or the highway” mentality and the management style “hairdryer treatment” has been assigned to him. The term derives from a (usual) verbal tirade, think of the continuous hot air coming from a hairdryer. No one is off limits to Ferguson’s fury with him punishing his star players including Wayne Rooney and David Beckham for seemingly daring to defy him. When Rooney spoke openly of his concerns that Manchester United were not signing up and coming talent, Ferguson was forced to defend not only his reputation as a manager, but also Manchester United as a club. Ferguson took the unprecedented move of openly speaking of Rooney’s desire to leave and even alluded to an injury which Rooney denied. David Beckham dared to rebut Ferguson’s criticism of his performance during an Arsenal defeat and we all remember those photographs of him with the stich above his eye plastered across the media.
Now I’m in no way condoning violence in the workplace, but there does appear to be a method to the madness. Whilst it could be argued Ferguson should have empathised and shown more emotional intelligence to his player’s which may have avoided these incidents, if the players believe they are above the club and not demonstrating their worth or effort to be a part of the team, then is there a place for them on the team? Manchester United proved their ability as a club, continuing to hold the title of highest trophy winning English club after both Rooney and Beckham’s departure.
When I think of NFL I automatically think of Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots. Not just because they are undoubtably one of the most successful NFL teams in history (tying with Pittsburgh Steelers for Super Bowl wins), but Belichick’s coaching approach is renowned for being ahead of the curve. He adapts quickly to the everchanging sport climate and his team’s needs and really does not conform to the adage “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
In 2000 when drafting the then unknown Tom Brady for the position of quarterback, Belichick didn’t follow the previous selection method which was based on proven talent, instead he looked at character. This approach has the scientific backing of the psychologist Angela Duckworth who explains in her book “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” characteristics such as perseverance and grit can be as powerful as intelligence and talent.
Belichick also offers a different approach to Ferguson, inviting feedback from his team and showing a level of understanding that player’s personal lives will, to varying degrees, impact their performance on the field (look at the timing of Brady’s relationship with the supermodel Gisele Bündchen and the Patriots performance).
Let’s not believe Belichick enables, so to speak, players to use their personal lives as an excuse for poor performance or a perceived lack of professionalism. Belichick fined former guard Mike Compton for being late even though the delay was due to a blackout, and it was very clear the change in Brady’s performance following Belichick’s observation of his seeming higher interest in his new celebrity relationship rather than his career.
It’s not always a manager or coach who shows the team the way forward and carries the team’s message or ethos. I couldn’t write this article without looking at some great pairings in sports teams and with that being said; Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. Bryant and O’Neal were teammates on the LA Lakers for 8 years, winning 3 consecutive NBA championships, but it was their teamwork paralleled with their rivalry which peaked interest in their dynamic. O’Neal said in his tribute following Bryant’s untimely passing earlier this year “we pushed each other … that’s what people who care about each other do.” Simply put, this showcases that whilst a manager or coach are there in the role of lead strategist, motivator and cheerleader, it really is up to the individual player to turn up, perform and understand their internal drive.
Both powerhouses remained heavily involved in the NBA after their retirements offering support and mentorship. It’s telling that Bryant’s final post on Instagram before his death was congratulating LeBron James on surpassing him on the list of all-time scorers in NBA history. Even though he had been retired for 3 year’s, following his 20 season long career at the Lakers, Bryant still embodied the team spirit and will always be an integral member and ambassador of Lakers Nation.
Do you see some of the characteristics of manager’s and top athletes in your teams and yourself? Do you disagree and think sport and business are separate entities?