Just a Game?

by Miriam Hanna, Director MadlinHanna Consulting and football fanatic

Once every four years when the World Cup comes around people across the world who previously lived their lives in ignorant bliss suddenly become incredibly attached to the fortunes of their national team. But is there more to it than 736 footballers gathering in one country to kick a ball around? Without being too cliched, I take a lot from elite sports-people and their approach to their work. The World Cup is as a good an example as any of how to strive for success.

"Where there is unity, there is always victory."

Time after time the ultimate winners of the tournament display immense teamwork throughout. You never see them shouting at each other on the pitch or blaming each other for errors in media interviews. They work together for a common goal, to perform at the highest level and make their country proud. Yes, every team has a star player but that won’t guarantee you the prize. Lionel Messi has not won a World Cup… yet… The genius of managers is bringing together what can often be a squad of cliques and making them into a single, formidable unit.

Knowing what you are good at and sticking to it

Some teams know they will score from set pieces, others know they will need open play. Do you play three at the back? How about a starting 11 with no straight-forward striker? The best teams and coaches build their game plan around what they are good at and perhaps more importantly, what talent they have available to them. The aim is to avoid being on the back-foot and getting trapped playing their opponents' game. There will always be criticism from those outside the camp but successful teams do things their own way regardless of external pressures.

Preparation is key

In England, we love complaining about how tired our squad is because of how long our season is but the reality is that all the top European leagues play roughly the same amount of football. Preparation is the difference and attention to detail is everything. In one tournament German goalkeeper Jens Lehman prepared a list of all the potential penalty takers in the opposing team (Argentina) and which was their preferred method of taking the shot. He saved 2 and went in the right direction for another 2. That was no accident.

Consistency

Why is there ever a favourite for the tournament? Because one team has demonstrated consistency in the qualification process and the build-up. When you get used to winning and begin to expect it, you build momentum and that is why the outcome in major tournaments is very rarely a surprise. Momentum is what won Leicester a surprise Premier League and meant Spain won an unprecedented three major tournaments back to back. The change in personnel can make this element challenging but it’s not impossible as demonstrated by the dominance of a team like Brazil. Success is a self-fulfilling cycle.

So, when you flick on the football over the next 4 weeks maybe see if there is something more than immediately meets the eye?

PS COME ON ENGLAND! 

MadlinHanna Consulting is a recruitment consultancy specialising in corporate affairs, covering public affairs, corporate communications and financial PR. Contact us on 020 8088 4102 for more information or a confidential conversation.