The last 3 World Cups have been won by European teams – Italy, Spain and now Germany – the first European team that has triumphed on South American Soil. Following a wait of 24 years, 171 goals and 64 games (in the 2014 World Cup), the German win seems celebrate a festival of team work , a team system designed to produce world champions , a team triumph a demonstration of German engineering. I found the World cup Finals enthralling to watch – a talented, special and sublime finish with a wonderful goal.
Much has been written about a German system designed to produce world champions utilising an approach that was sought after, planned and carefully crafted . No one can play a team game alone. This was all about getting it together as a team. The Champions, a team grown from the under 21s just over six years ago now offer a golden generation of football talent. While the winning goal was scored by a substitute and (arguably the best goal to win with a brilliant technique and outstanding finish), there is no doubting that the winning side was superbly organised with many talented players who provided a feast of goals and a German defence without many cracks.
Lesson Learnt
1. The German team had to sit down have a hard look at who they were, look at other models, take a professional approach and add bits that would sustain success. Redesigning our leadership approaches can be pretty similar
2. The team gelled together, made sure they had natural finishers and kept their eye on the prize, believing they could do it. This bears the hallmarks of any effective team working.
3. The players (and their Coach) oozed calmness even when things did not look that great. I admired their ability to maintain a strong backline and stand firm when weathering the storms of tough matches.
4. They stepped out. I love the saying of Jim Rohn, ‘dreams get your started, discipline keeps you going’. There was no shortage of focus, discipline or belief here. They believed the best was yet to come!
5. Succession planning and strengthening the pipeline was key. The final match was not won in 2 hours, it took vast investments of time, effort, talent, resources and money. Strong governance and leadership is achieved by investment, not the lack of it.
I wonder what it was that took them over the line in the dying minutes of extra time? What provided the extra motivation to win? In board rooms across the world, I suspect the motivations to succeed will be different for each organisation, but without the commitment to succeed, resilience and a clear goal, I think it will be challenging to navigate the storms!