SAGE Integration’s Post

Here is how the Friday email from our daughters middle school started today: “Did anyone follow the US Women’s World Cup Soccer Games? How did they do??? Not So Well! That was unexpected! How could a team, filled with the most talented soccer players in the world, not do well at the World Cup. When this happened, there was plenty of commentary about what went awry. Sportscasters talked on and on about the coaching, and how the coach was not strategic enough or tactical enough. Yes, that was probably true… AND, the other big determining factor is that great individual players do not always equal a great team. These players, as amazing as they are, did not work well together with their teammates. What can WE learn from this? We all have strengths, we all have our areas of growth, and we all do better when we work together to support each other and work collaboratively as a team. Teamwork and real collaboration take time and attention. It can be frustrating, it can be daunting, and yet, when we learn about each other, when we work through the challenges, great team work always results in better outcomes… and the WIN! The metaphorical win - better ideas, better results, longer lasting impact.” I didn’t follow the World Cup so I can’t say if I agree with this analysis relative to the tournament but I do agree as it relates to mindset at work. The words that stick out to me are teamwork and collaboration. I see that in our office when more people contribute our solutions are better. This makes me think of the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I don’t want to go alone. And I am grateful to be in collaboration with so many talented and wonderful people at HPA.

Another young man paralysed by fear in another UK rugby academy. Sporting environments, in the UK, generally, are built on fear. The desperate search for talent means hoads of young men are invited in to academies to train & be assessed, turnover is high, peer hierarchy is formed based on the mask worn by boys, love & joy lost, along with authentic expression. Rinse and repeat. Quantity over quality. The internal conversation of those involved becomes (from many of the young men I work with): ‘this is dog eat dog’ ‘I can’t try that incase I fail’ ‘I don’t want to look a d!ck’ ‘I want to support my teammate but I’ll be seen as soft’ ‘I’m not going to open up because I don’t know if he or me will even be here next week’ Transcends into: ‘The environment is toxic’ ‘The lads are c!nts’ ‘The boys are arrogant and full of themselves’ None of this true, all of this projected behaviour of all their fears, acting a role to not fail & show a tough guy mask desperate to fit in. MY QUESTION TO BOYS? But who are YOU BEING in this environment? If you do not express, open the gate for deeper win:win relationships, try-fail-learn-go again, how will the environment ever change? It doesn’t. Point inwards not outwards. Give permission to self, will give permission to others. That is true leadership, leadership I’m vehemently passionate every young man steps into. #sport #leadership #education #youngleaders #mensmentalhealth

The Importance of Strong Management Systems in Football Academies

Coaches spend much time correcting players' basic techniques and skills. It’s one of the biggest challenges coaches have in the training sessions, “ how do I manage the different abilities within a session”. If most children spend more time practicing at home and from an early age, coaching would be far easier. #culture #football #development #grassroots

Unlock the Unseen Potential with Praise in Soccer Development 🌟 In the enigmatic realm of soccer development, let’s illuminate a pathway that underscores not just the technique but the human spirit - by catching them when they’re good! Embarking on a journey that explores the uncharted territories of “praise” might just unveil the next global soccer star! 🌟 #SportsPsychology #SoccerDevelopment 1️⃣ Understanding the Neurological Impact: POSITIVE reinforcement does more than boost confidence. It carves out neural pathways that incite players to REPEAT praiseworthy actions, breeding a constant cycle of self-enhancement and burgeoning self-esteem! 🧠 #Neuroplasticity 2️⃣ Witnessing the Phenomenon of Transformation: Kevin De Bruyne’s evolution offers a panoramic view! His journey, though speckled with early rejections, transformed, as mentors at Genk chose to spotlight his visionary and passing acumen, ultimately altering the course of his career and our perception of midfield mastery! ⚽️ #DeBruyneJourney 3️⃣ The Art and Caution of Praise: Be wary of the Over-Praise Abyss! Ensuring that praise retains its essence is crucial - precise and genuine accolades kindle intrinsic motivation, guiding athletes toward a zenith of excellence while keeping them untethered from external validation. 🖼️ #QualityOverQuantity 4️⃣ Implementing Practical Strategies: Incorporate a “3:1 Praise: Critique Ratio” in coaching ethics, ensuring that each piece of constructive critique is cushioned by THREE affirmative acknowledgments, thereby establishing a bedrock of positivity, learning, and growth. 🛠️ #CoachingTips 5️⃣ Amplifying through Peer Learning: Celebrating a player’s prowess publicly doesn’t just honour them, but also inadvertently sets a PRECEDENT for the team, crafting an atmosphere where everyone is motivated to showcase and uplift their own skills and behaviors. 🔄 #Teamwork 6️⃣ The Euphoria of Pushing Boundaries: Honoring moments where players surpass their own expectations and creating cognitive & emotional milestones proves that audacity and innovation are not just accepted but glorified in the realm of sports! 🚀 #InnovationInSports 7️⃣ A Perpetual Cycle of Growth: While constructive criticism is vital, it reaches its pinnacle of efficacy when paired with positivity, thereby crafting athletes who are not only resilient and receptive but also perpetually evolving! 🌱 #ContinuousDevelopment In Closing, Visualize our academies as havens that breed ENCOURAGEMENT, RESILIENCE & GROWTH! By “catching them when they’re good,” we at COGNIGOALS are not merely sculpting skilled athletes, but also nurturing resilient spirits destined to etch new heights in the annals of sports history! 🏆 #PraisePower #NextGenAthletes 🌐⚽️🚀 https://lnkd.in/eXeGHD6G

Proven Practices to Motivate Your Soccer Team Maintaining team motivation is a challenging effort. Motivate your soccer team to face unexpected losses, a stretch of poor performance, or just a lack of attention, and the coach should find a solution to these issues. One of the most difficult tasks you will face is encouraging your team to achieve their full potential. https://lnkd.in/gCU5rC9B #soccermotivation #TeamMotivation #soccercoaching #soccertips #Goals #teambuilding #motivationalcoach #TeamPerformance #sportsmotivation #soccerleadership #SoccerSuccess #training #Opportunities #players #Techniques #footballleague TYCOONSTORY Football Australia Football Careers Social Football Summit SOCCER SCOUTING AGENCY Football Scout - Administrator

Lessons from the Past: How a Football Victory Inspires Success Today In the dynamic world of business, finding motivation and achieving goals can be a daily challenge. However, some moments from our past can serve as enduring sources of inspiration. Fifteen years ago, on a football field, such a moment occurred that continues to fuel my professional journey. During my school days, my football team reached the semifinals of a pivotal tournament. Our coach took me aside for a one-on-one chat, leaving me with these words: "Remember, you're playing for the badge on your chest." Those words struck a chord. It wasn't just about the game; it was about representing a larger purpose. The badge symbolized our team, school, and community, reminding us of the values we stood for. In the finals, the match extended to a thrilling penalty shootout. As the goalkeeper, I felt the weight of that badge on my chest with every penalty I faced. When it was my turn to take the final penalty, I knew I had to deliver. We won the finals in penalties, proving that unity and determination can overcome the odds. Now, 15 years later, in the corporate world, I carry these lessons with me: Purpose-Driven Focus: Like playing for the badge, I work with a sense of purpose, aligning my efforts with our organization's goals and values. Resilience and Determination: Facing pressure, I draw on the mental strength developed on the football field, meeting challenges head-on. Teamwork: Just as we relied on each other in that shootout, collaboration and teamwork are essential in any workplace. Belief in the Impossible: Our victory in the finals taught me that with dedication and a positive mindset, anything is achievable. Reflecting on this unforgettable moment, I challenge us all to find our purpose, draw inspiration from our past victories, and embrace the values that drive us forward. Together, we can achieve greatness, just as we did on that football field when we won the finals in penalties. #fifa#football m #Inspiration #Motivation #Purpose #Teamwork #Resilience #Victory

One question that I often get from other clubs and coaches is how to manage the different abilities in rugby. More precisely when looking at training and matches. In rugby, there can be several difficulties in managing both fringe and first-team players within a squad. Here are some common challenges that I have encountered: Playing Time: Coaches must balance the need to give first-team players sufficient game time to maintain their form and match fitness while also providing opportunities for fringe players to develop and contribute to the team. This can be particularly challenging during busy periods of the season when there are multiple fixtures in a short period of time. Maintaining Squad Harmony: Managing the morale and motivation of both first-team and fringe players is crucial for team cohesion. Fringe players may feel frustrated or disheartened if they perceive limited opportunities for playing time, while first-team players may become complacent if they feel their positions are secure without competition from within the squad. Injuries and Rotation: Rugby is a physically demanding sport, and injuries are common. Coaches must be prepared to rotate players to prevent fatigue and reduce the risk of injuries, while also ensuring that the quality of the team does not suffer as a result of changes to the starting lineup. Tactical Adaptations: Different players bring different strengths to the team, so coaches may need to adjust their tactics and game plans depending on who is available for selection. This requires careful planning and communication to ensure that all players understand their roles and responsibilities within the team. Development Pathways: Fringe players are often younger or less experienced than their first-team counterparts, so coaches must provide opportunities for their development both on and off the field. This might include extra training sessions, individual coaching, or loan spells at lower-level clubs to gain valuable game time. Managing Expectations: Both fringe and first-team players may have different expectations regarding their roles within the squad. Clear communication from coaches about selection policies, performance expectations, and opportunities for progression is essential to avoid misunderstandings and potential conflicts. I try to monitor the playing time for all the players in my team and make sure that at the end of the season they have had similar playing time. What I have found that has worked this year is setting goals with the boys and the parents at the beginning of the season. This way when those fixtures arise where you need to be selective, they have had prewarning and give them that drive to get there. #leadership #sport #coaching

In 2019 I finished my PhD at the Strathclyde Business School. The focus was on leadership-in-practice in professional rugby. So much of leadership research focuses on leader-centric ideas - that leadership is ‘inside‘ a person in terms of various traits or behaviours. Yet, much of this leader-centric research is ‘slate grey’ in its attempts to express the ‘bright orange’ experience of leadership for many in organisations. I was particularly interested in how people construct leadership together within a particular setting. Professional rugby seemed like a great place to explore this with players needing to work together on and off the pitch to figure out ‘wicked problems’ i.e. problems that cannot be solved through a traditional formula or solution. My research was ethnography based, involving a year spent with a professional Pro 12 rugby team at the time. I spent a lot of time around the leadership group, a selection of 6 players (including two co-captains) who saw themselves as custodians of the values and ethos of the club. I was really interested in what leadership was ‘in practice’ – how the players made leadership tangible, or ‘concrete’, on a daily basis. It is suggested that leadership, particularly within teams or groups, often engages in a ‘disappearing act’ when we go looking for it in organisations. So I really wanted to get to know what the players felt leadership was for them – essentially how it looked, smelt, sounded or even tasted like in daily training and competitions. The results of my work was 6 tales of leadership within professional rugby. For example, some of these tales focused on: how the players viewed each other as flesh and blood (rather than objects to be used); the celebration of mundane activities; developing ways to provide each other with a voice; or seeking to build stronger roots with the local community. Within rugby then, I suggest leadership is plural, not singular, revolving around a certain number of practices that help mobilise emotion for the players. The players helped this mobilisation process in lots of ways like drawing on the club’s identity, a shared project, humour, and rugby history amongst many other things. To consolidate my knowledge, I have put together 6 infographics, or ‘lessons’, I learnt from leadership in rugby. The first lesson is titled ‘Celebrate!’ (see attached). Irrespective of the sport or industry you are in, I hope you find them useful 🙂 See McCall & Lombardo’s 1978 book Leadership: Where Else Can We Go? Durham, NC: Duke University Press. Keith Grint on ‘Tame’ and ‘Wicked’ problems - https://lnkd.in/eDDcvgX3 See Mats Alvesson and Stefan Sveningsson’s work - https://lnkd.in/eNSJ8vmz 

Which sports teams/individuals inspire you in your work? Perhaps still nursing my sadness that England couldn't win the Ashes this year (darn you, Manchester weather), last week I reflected with my teammates on the power of a strong gameplan. Specifically, the phenomenon of 'Bazball' that's turned around the fortunes of the England Test Cricket team. Journalist Chris Stocks notes 7 principles of Bazball, and we chewed over the final 3, as takeaways that any team- whether in the world of sport or business- can benefit from: i) Praise - even for the little things Praise makes us feel valued and content in our role. We usually don't need reminders to praise each other for our big achievements, but a little praise, even for the little things, goes a long way. An excellent way to do this is to set yourself a daily reminder to show gratitude to any person who has made your day even that little brighter or easier. ii) Simplicity of message Whether we're working with clients or leading a team, simplicity of message is so powerful, yet often so difficult. This is one of the strengths I've consistently witnessed with many of my leaders in Google: the ability to distill the many metrics & priorities they are dealt with, to a simple focus for their teams to act upon. iii) Embracing mental freedom and fun Just like the swashbuckling England team, enjoy the mental freedom to recognise and bet on your strengths, take risks & play big. Like Ben Stokes' declaration in the first test, or Nasser Hussain's infamous call at the Gabba ("we'll have a bowl"), we will make mistakes from time to time- all the more for us to learn from and develop further. #leadership #teams #cricket #sports