adminZachary Aldwin : Milkshake in the Boardroom
I’m a big fan of the underdog. So when the story of Leicester City’s incredible rise to the crest of the English Barclay’s Premier League crossed my radar a few weeks ago I was hooked. In case you missed it, the team that was given 5 000-1 odds to win at the start of the season seized the title over the May Day weekend with two games to spare.The backstories of conversations, building a winning mentality and pivotal moments will probably only be revealed over time by those closer to the team. There are, however, a few simple facts at this time that we can look at that have helped Leicester get the win.
If they helped Leicester grab the trophy then they can help you. Take care of your staff. Players got two days off a week this season. When you are under pressure to perform there is a temptation to push people harder and harder till breaking point. Demand the uncompromising best from the players on your team, but remember that this does not equal making them work stupid hours or making ridiculous demands.
Getting people to dig deeper when you see greatness in them is one thing, running them into the ground to where they perform at a sub-par level is another. Do not be afraid to play unconventionally, especially when you have the team to back it. Time and time again Leicester won with less possession than their opponents. They thrived on the counter attack. This combination has confounded pundits and opposition alike while the goal tally has mounted.
It takes great skill to build a strategy that incorporates the strengths of your team and to get the right people into the right place, especially if that strategy runs counter to what everyone else is doing. Do not be afraid to challenge the status quo of how things are done – especially if it gets you results. Do not be afraid to be disruptive to current structures with your product and ideas (think Uber). Be consistent. At the time of their victory Leicester had only lost three games during thirty six matches.
Consistent winning performance is going to produce a big picture result. Consistently showing up and doing great work will get you noticed, even if it is because no one else shows up. Worth noting is that at the end of last season Leicester won 7 of their last 9 matches to avoid relegation – that has to do something to a team’s mindset when you start looking at winning as an option. Consistency is a long term venture. This is not a weekend jaunt but the daily commitment to doing what needs to be done. Consistency can be a struggle, it takes effort to put forward your best every day. “Deceitful corruption” is a phrase that really impacts when fighting to keep consistent.
Failure to be consistent is not usually a sudden shift; rather it is a slow slide of compromise based on excuses. The problem with that sort of excuse is that it is a lie to yourself, a deceit that sees you cutting back. Layer on layer of giving ground occurs and suddenly you find yourself far from the ideal with only yourself to blame.
Deep down we all know what it takes to do our best work – the sacrifice, the commitment, the extra effort. The question is whether you are willing to pay that price and convince your team that paying that price is worth the reward at the end. Make the most of where you are. Leicester came out the previous season with few extra fixtures hanging over their heads.
Other teams had commitments in European competitions as well as other local domestic tournaments. This meant that overall they could focus on the Premier League, had less chances to get injured, and were able to rest their players more often. What appears to be a problem may turn out to be your greatest asset. These are just a few of the factors that have interplayed to take a struggling football team to the top of the table.
The list is by no means exhaustive; examine the event yourself to see what other conclusions you can draw. In the meantime raise a glass in Leicester City’s honour and thank them for a great story. Here’s to the underdog!
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