Leaders lessons from Sarina Wiegman
Yes, I know they didn’t win the actual World Cup, but getting to the Final is a pretty huge event in itself.
You don’t have to be a Football fan to be gripped by how a Dutch woman managed to turn around a Women’s Football Team (almost overnight) to become European Champions and just miss out on the World Cup in the following year too!
Whilst I have been a football fan for many years, I had become disillusioned with the women’s international game for a while. We didn’t have the best or most effective Managers and the team didn’t perform as they should have. If ever there was an example of the difference a Leader can make, then this is one of them. When Sarina took charge in September 2021, she very quickly, transformed the England Team into a competitive, resilient, high performing team with a winning mentality.
This is not a full on football piece – so those of you with little interest in the game can still read on! We could pick out 15 or 20 different traits which Sarina Wiegman has which makes her a great leader, but we have just picked out 5 to give you an example of how being a Leader isn’t always about the difficult things. It’s about doing the simple things well and doing them consistently.
Her team respect her:
I don’t think I have seen respect for any Leader in the way you see the England Team show it when they are speaking about Sarina (commentators, presenters and ex-players too). They speak in such high regard for her and what she brings to the team, the game and the possibilities. You see the awe in the eyes of the players when they are asked about her during interviews. After the Semi-Final particularly, each player literally paused before answering that question – as they almost seem speechless with respect and admiration.
Everyone knows their role and she trusts them to perform it:
This is not just the players; I suspect the backroom staff and anyone who is part of ‘Team England’ will know from Sarina what their job is and what they are expected to do. On the pitch she plays people where she believes they will best suit the game, the team or the opponent. Rachel Daly was a perfect example – Sarina plays her in a different position to where she plays for her club (probably a nod to the skill of Rachel being able to play in more than one position), but Sarina recognises that skill and uses it where it is needed.
Not only does she make sure everyone knows their role, she trusts them to do it. She is fairly well known for not making many substitutions regularly or mixing her teams up – she simply trusts who she picks to do the job and lets them get on with it. (How we would love to see more of this in the corporate world).
Instils values in her team:
One of her main ones is ‘it’s all about the team’ even though a football team is made up of many stars. Listen again or watch out for any interviews the players give – they never really say ‘I’, it is always ‘we’ and you can see the ethos and the fact they really do play for each other, and the team. Sarina’s mindset is that if the team work, perform and achieve then individual success comes as part of it. However, if only individuals perform, then the overall goal is rarely achieved. For all the values she instils, this is the most evident.
Communication matters:
The way Sarina communicates is different. She has a very calm, composed style and even on the touchline, you don’t see her barking orders or shouting at players. She is thoughtful and careful about when she says what’s needed and yes, she can be direct, but it’s at the right time and to the right person.
It’s not just about how she speaks, it’s about what she says and shares about the overall strategy. The players talk about how much they know about the ‘plan’ from Sarina and how involved they all feel. (And that’s even from the those who don’t get to play – she really does use the ‘full squad’ and everyone plays and knows their part).
The players also mention how approachable she is – so it isn’t just about her communication, she wants it the other way round too. That is a game changer for any leader – and they all mention how they can talk to her, ask her anything and follow up at the right times with her too.
I loved how her plan really was the World Cup Final win – you saw that after the Semi Final. Lucy Bronze in an interview was saying how she was jumping up and down with excitement and Sarina said to her “what are you doing jumping up and down, we have a final to play!” And I loved it even more than the players ‘got it’ totally. All bought into her vision and Sarina kept them focused on the goal they all wanted more than anything.
Takes responsibility:
Not that she has lost many games, but when she needs to, she takes the fall for it. She knows she decides the players, the team formation, when (and if) to change it and she will publicly recognise if the other team has played better. She also never singles anyone out for criticism – her team feel totally supported by her.
One of the things which was clear about how Sarina worked when she took over the team, was that she personally took responsibility to get to know her players. She knew she had to do that as the Leader – that wasn’t a job she could delegate. It was widely shared at the time that she got to know each of them and “connected with them” by talking to them, finding out about them and then, and only then, did they work on football! What a great way to own taking over a new team.
Her composed nature showed itself in the after Final interviews (and the follow on ones this week too). She tried hard to get the team to know they will “go again”, but also to be proud for what they have accomplished. She said and I think this is the biggie “We should never forget, where we came from and be grateful for what has developed over time”. Sarina came from a generation where women were not allowed to play football, and she is now one of those people who are really helping to change things for the better and for millions of new ‘would-be’ lionesses.
I know there will have been so many articles on this topic this week (or not perhaps, they may have got canned as England didn’t win). However, it’s still a great opportunity for us to reflect and consider the learnings about such an inspirational Leader. And lets be honest, as Leaders we won’t always win, but we can still be inspirational to our Teams.
So transfer some of the things Sarina has done into your Leadership model – several take aways which are simple to do:
Be a role model for the behaviour you want to see
Ensure each person knows your overall plan and where they fit in
Trust them to get on with the task in hand
If things don’t work out, support them, don’t embarrass them
‘Play’ your team where they best fit your game’
Remind each person they are part of your wider team and you all win or lose together
Reflect more often than you think you need to – particularly when approaching your team
Be approachable and try really hard to listen to the words being said
Get to know your team individually – what makes them tick, what do they love – connect with them
… oh and never give up, you really can achieve your goals!
I remember where the England Team have come from, so absolutely being World Cup Finalists really should be a cause for celebration. A celebration of a great leader, a great team and a chance to build on for the future. Oh, and if Nike can actually produce a Mary Earps Goalkeepers shirt…… (we really can celebrate!)
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