The Confidence Coach's Sports Psychology Articles
On The Couch With Dr. Martin
The Confidence Coach's monthly Sports Psychology Article in 442 magazine. This article was inspired by the managerial merry-go-round on the South Coast.
The Perfect Manager
It's all change on the South Coast and once again both Portsmouth and Southampton are seeking new managers. Why is it that chairmen like Rupert Lowe and Milan Mandaric are unable to keep their managers? Are they seeking perfection? Perhaps they are sub-consciously demanding the perfect manager? If so, just what would be the make-up of this genius of the dug-out?
In theory the perfect manager will be whole-brained, which means that they are equally adept at left-brained skills such as logic and rational analysis and right brained thinking such as being intuitive and empathic. In addition the perfect manager would be adept in the following ten areas:
- Visionary. They would be a guardian of the game's core values. Their perceptions help them see beyond the immediate needs of their club, to serve the game as a whole. Their original thinking changes the way the game evolves both tactically, structurally and organisationally.
- Innovator. They introduce new philosophies, disciplines and practises into the football club. Never afraid to experiment with tactics. Will utilise other methodologies from sport and business.
- Edginess. Is ruthless when ruthlessness is called for, acting without emotion or sentiment. Key decisions are always made for the benefit of the team and its future. Is prepared to be unpopular in service to the club's cause and ethic. The manager with edge will challenge authority and create an aura of respect and sometimes trepidation. They are never satisfied with success and are always craving more. Driven by a subconscious fear of failure.
- Strategist. Will always find a way to win, even when others anticipate defeat. The strategist is a master of the mind game and loves the mental challenge that competition at the highest level provokes. They are a devoted student of the game and have an astute awareness of tactics, strategies and tacticians.
- Storyteller. Creates a narrative in which others find their role. Has a strong awareness of the history of the football club, its community values and cultural significance. The storyteller is able to give meaning to every game and it's relevance in the club's evolution.
- Respecter. A successful manager exudes respect for self and others within his purview. Thus, players are treated like adults and are expected to respond appropriately. It's an inclusive style that allows all to contribute and feel a strong sense of belonging and moral certainty; in many ways like a family. Those excluded, though, are apt to criticise unthinkingly.
- Leadership. They create disciples who will sustain and articulate the culture. It is a cause which emanates from a strong sense of belief in the manner in which the game should be played, the impact it has on the lives of the fans and the role players have as ambassadors of the club and the sport.
- Communicator. In the presence of the communicator, others listen and trust what they hear. The communicator is an excellent man-manager, who knows how to bring the best out of each and every player, with the right words, said at the right time, in the right way for the right reasons.
- Principled. This type of manager will fight injustice and risk failure or public humiliation. They have very clear beliefs, standards and ideals which they champion at all times. Compromise is alien to them, even when butting up against authority or when they are wrong. They have sternly defined ideologies and will not tolerate deviation from the principles encapsulated by them.
- Organiser. Will have observed and worked with others and learned from them, when given a position of authority, applying what he has assimilated and adapting it appropriately. Preparation will have been meticulous. Loves the attention to detail. Leaves nothing to chance. The organiser is usually an introvert by nature, happy to do their best work in the shadows.
How many of these vital criteria does your club's manager fulfil?