Surely The Legendary Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger, Doesn't Need Motivating. Does He?
It's One Thing To Lead, Motivate and Inspire Others. But, Who Do You Turn To When You Need Motivating?
It was after an unexpected home defeat last season, to Hull City at The Emirates. The thoughtful Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger was suddenly under-fire from the written press. They thought he'd lost it. His magic touch. His passion. His motivation!
They smelled blood. Maybe the beginning of the end, for Arsene's fantastic reign at Arsenal.
When calmly, amidst the barrage of media questions, the Frenchman gently shrugged his shoulders and put to the puzzled press corps, the intriguing question, 'Who Motivates The Motivator?'
Arsene didn't expect the press to have an answer. But, when you devote your working life to inspiring and motivating others, who do you the motivator turn to, when you need motivating?
It is the dilemma that many busy leaders, managers and coaches face. But why was Arsene even asking this question? Surely experienced football managers like Arsene Wenger don't need motivating. Do they?
One Game From The Sack...
Graham called me early on a Monday morning. I recognised his voice from the TV. A well-established football manager. Had been in the game many years. And his team were struggling. The Monday morning tabloids were cruelly speculating, about how long he had left in the job.
In football these days, that doesn't necessarily mean a great deal. But, from the tone of his voice, I knew Graham was struggling.
He sounded tired and a bit defeatist. As if he sensed that games were running out for him. And they probably were.
He confessed that he still loved the game. But that, right now, he wasn't enjoying what he was doing. The chairman was on his back. The Assistant Manager was plotting against him. He was working until the early hours of the morning, scouting; talking; worrying.
Basically he wanted help. But, the sort of help you can't find in a football club, or business. Graham needed someone who wasn't just a 'yes man'. Wouldn't just say the right thing to please him.
No. He needed the truth. Someone who could get him back into shape again. Rekindle the fires that had once made him, such a passionate manager. Someone, on the outside looking in, who could tell it like it is. A champion; an advocate; a believer.
On The Couch With Dr. Martin...
Graham had been a reader of my monthly sports psychology column in 442 magazine, On The Couch With Dr. Martin, for many years. Said that I often wrote what he was thinking.
We looked at how things had got so bad. About his inability to confront problems. About how he had sacrificed his principles for a quiet life.
Had lost his ability to make bold, daring decisions. Decisions that had once been a trademark of his management style. That had created winning teams, season after season. Do you recognise any of these symptoms?
Now he had become cautious. Scared almost. Fear of failure coloured everything he did. Basically, he had lost touch with his natural way of managing and leading. His team played, like he felt. Riddled with anxiety!
If he wanted to keep his job, things had to change. And change fast.
He Breathed A Sigh Of Relief...
We must have spoken on the phone that morning, for nearly three hours. I suspect that Graham was relieved to have someone who understood his situation. And more importantly, knew what to do, to change things for the better.
In that impactful conversation, Graham and I created an immediate strategy to make a difference.
The next morning, he called to tell me, that he was inspired at training. On fire! His passion and enthusiasm had returned. Yes - as quickly as that!
And, the simple reason that it was back so quickly, was that his conversation with me, cleared the fog that had been building in his mind. He now knew what was wrong, and what to do about it.
For the next two months, the team went on a seven game unbeaten run. The team fed off his passion and enthusiasm. Graham was 'in the zone'. And he kept his job.
But it was a close thing. If he had left it any longer before contacting me, it would have been too late.
Important Note: Some leaders and managers do leave it too late. They don't pick up the phone and ask for help. Instead they get sacked. Or let their business drift. Why?
Because they think that asking for help from a Confidence Coach, is a sign of weakness. They think, that as a leader they should have the answer to every problem. But they don't. And don't need to have.
So - Why Does The Motivator Need A Motivator?
Motivators like yourself, benefit from having a motivator, because of the constant demand that you, as a leader and manager, face. The demand to give to others. All the time.
There are so many answers to find, to so many problems. Which is fine when things are going well. When the team are winning. Or business is flourishing.
But what when they are not? What about when the crowd boo the boys off the park. When the chairman gives you that 'look'. The 'look' that says, you had better know how to turn things around. Or the staff turn to you, and want answers as to how the business will turn around.
The job can become an obsession, can't it? It can be difficult to switch off. Sleep even.
Then there's the family. When was the last time, you and the wife went out to dinner? Or went to see a movie together?
You may even feel guilty about switching off. About having that time. Maybe you feel that you should be working twenty-four hours a day?
And then you lose sight of the bigger picture. You get caught up in doing 'stuff'. The strategy and vision becomes mere words on paper. The organisation or team, then starts to lose direction, and go off course. And you just don't know how to get back on track. Frustrating isn't it?
No Sycophancy or Hidden Agendas...
Motivating the Motivator is a one-to-one coaching process for managers, leaders and captains of industry. In other words, for anyone in a position of leadership responsibility.
The purpose of hiring me as a coach, is it gives you the advantage of having someone on the outside, with no hidden agenda, free of sycophancy, only...how can I help you become a more effective leader?
The greatest potential weakness of any motivator, is being unable to ask for help when they most need to.
Remember that there is a great strength in being able to recognise when you need support, and to deliberately get that support. For what good is your stress and anxiety to your team or business?
The Top Five Areas You May Need Help With...
- Communicating With Others - When a leader is struggling, its impacts negatively on the quality of communication with those around them.
- Making Decisions - Procrastination takes the place of effective decision-making
- Overcoming Fear Of Failure / Lost Confidence - Once fear takes hold, no one in the business dare take a risk. And morale slumps!
- Working ON The Business not IN it - You may be busy. But doing what?
- Finding Time For Yourself Or Family - Working long hours is not the same as working effectively. Do you feel drained, because all you ever seem to think about are problems?
Who Have I Helped Recently?
Here are some recent examples of leaders and managers, who I have coached.
- A struggling football manager, who was just one game from the dreaded sack
- An over-worked business leader, who had lost his sense of purpose
- A cricket coach, who needed serious help in understanding how to motivate his team
- A stressed-out night club manager, who was working IN not ON his business
- A desperate CEO who needed to rekindle his energy and enthusiasm for the job
Damian Hughes HR Director From 'Unilever PLC', Had This To Say...
Damian Hughes read my column in 442 magazine, and hired me to coach managers and leaders, at the Unilever PLC flagship factory at Port Sunlight. He had this to say about my work.
"Martin Perry is a master of his art. He is unique within British industry. In my experience, Martin possesses the wit, courage and ability to make the spectacular happen, and to release the untapped potential that we all possess, both as individuals and within teams.
"I would encourage anyone reading this to extend an invite to Martin, share your challenge, light the blue touch paper and then stand well back and enjoy the show!"
Martin Challenges Me!
Mark Jackson is a night-club manager for Luminar Leisure PLC. He had this to say about my work:
'In my experience, Martin brings a unique blend of creativity, spontaneity and spirituality to his work. He has a great passion for coaching and is a true champion in bringing out the best in others.
His style is intuitive and analytical and as such he will always challenge me to look more closely at the true nature of the cause of the issue, rather than just dealing with the symptoms.
Martin's coaching inspires me to push out the boundaries into unknown territories....I trust implicitly that he will sense exactly the right approach to take in helping me navigate the ensuing changes.
Martin Is Inspirational!
Mike Reed is a sales professional, who had fallen into a rut. He called me, to lift him out of that rut, and had this to say about my work:
'I have been working with Martin Perry for the last 10 months and in that time have found him to be an inspirational, supportive and dynamic coach.
When I approached Martin, I had seen a very successful sales career vanish from a combination of lack of success and self belief.
Martin has enabled me to find new, improved employment and I believe has laid the foundation for future success.
I simply cannot recommend Martin highly enough. I feel that I owe Martin a significant debt of gratitude for helping me find the light when all around was darkness'.
Graham Was 'In The Zone'...
The aim of my work, is not simply to help you get back on track. No, it's much more than that. I want you to be 'In The Zone', like Graham.
You may have heard the phrase. Sports professionals use it a lot. But you rarely hear leaders and managers talk about it.
When a leader is 'In The Zone', decision-making seems easy. Everything you do turns to gold. You feel 'lucky'. But you know that it's more than that.
You feel focused and relaxed at the same time. You sense that everything is in place for success. You trust your instincts, and your hunches pay off.
When we work together, this is the journey that I will take you on. Are you up for it?
You'll Have To Act Fast!
We can work on any aspect of your leadership that needs transforming. My wish, is to get you enjoying your work again. I will be helping you develop simple, but hugely effective strategies, to get your leadership back on track.
So if you get the feeling, your success depends on my sort of coaching, I strongly urge you to act now.
For I limit the number of clients that I work with. This is to ensure, that I can give full and total support to you, when we begin our work together.
For I will be in your corner every step of the way, as we take your leadership to a new level.
Call Me Now!...
So, either call me on my personal mobile - 077897 56425. Tell me your situation, in complete confidence. From talking to me, you will quickly get an idea of how I can help.
Or if you prefer, fill in the form below. Please write a response to each of the questions, then send it to me using the 'Start Coaching' button at the end of the form.
You will then receive a call or email from me, to arrange a time to talk. By the end of this initial conversation, I firmly believe that you will start to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Remember - you could wait and hope that by magic, your become a better leader. But experience tells me that rarely happens.
The sooner we get started, the faster you will be on track to reigniting your leadership.
So, either fill in the form, or CALL ME ON - 077897 56425
Martin Perry - Confidence Coaching & Sports Psychology 077897 56425
