Football management is a very visible form of management in action. Because of our obsession with the game in the UK (and increasingly most of the world), we read daily of the exploits of major football clubs. As a result, we can learn a number of lessons from how football clubs are led and managed.
Here are three recent ones.
Managers need time
Chelsea Football Club have an interesting recent history with their managers. Recently they 'parted company' (lovely phrase) with their latest manager Andre Villas-Boas (known fondly as AVB). AVB had managed the club for less than one whole season, and although the club are in the top six of what is considered the top league in the world and they are still in two cup competitions, including the European Champions league, this was not enough.
The most successful club in recent British history is undoubtedly Manchester United. Yet their manager, Alex Ferguson, spent several seasons in charge before winning anything, but the club gave him time. Time to adapt, time to influence, time to build his team. Managers need time.
Managers need to focus
Managers must lead with a sense of purpose.They must single-mindedly focus on the goal (no pun intended there).
Under Harry Redknapp, Tottenham Hotspur Football Club have enjoyed their most successful spell for a long time. Just recently they were in 3rd place in the Premier League, with a significant points advantage over the team in 4th place. Until a major distraction.
England's national football coach, Fabio Capello recently resigned. Since that event there has been non-stop speculation that Harry Redknapp is the red-hot certainty to replace him. Except that no decision has been made, leaving a very uncertain situation.
The result? Tottenham's form has dipped, their results have been poor and they have just lost their once seemingly unassailable third position in the league.
Distractions are so unhelpful - managers need to focus.
Managers need rational, not reactive, leadership
Wolverhampton Wanderers were having a poor season, and with a 5-1 defeat at home to their local rivals, it did not look like it could get worse. So, in what seems like a 'knee-jerk' response, they dismissed their manager, Mick McCarthy, the day after that embarrassing defeat.
But, worse it has got. The club, in the four games that have followed, have seemed to go into free fall. Conceding goals at an alarming rate, and unable to score a goal in 3 out of the 4 games, their fate - relegation - seems sealed.
Which makes you think - was Mick McCarthy actually doing an impressive job with the team? Before he left they were outside the relegation zone, now they lie in last place in the league.
Was the decision reactive? Should the club ownership have allowed themselves a little more time to rationally assess the situation? After all, they dismissed him with just a few games left in the season, they had no replacement in mind, and they have had to temporarily appoint the assistant manager - a man with no experience of managing, and hardly any time to make a difference.
Managers need rationality not reactivity.
The beautiful game, but sometimes the management and leadership of it is anything but!