Do You Need to Play to Coach? Lessons from Arrigo Sacchi’s Sharp Tongue

When Arrigo Sacchi, one of football’s most revolutionary coaches, was criticised for never having played the sport professionally, his response was razor-sharp: “I didn’t realise that to be a good jockey, you first had to be a horse!”
This witty retort cuts to the heart of an enduring debate – How important is playing experience for coaching success?
Sacchi challenges the belief that professional playing experience is essential for coaching greatness. Read on and make up your own mind…

December 7, 2024September 25, 2025

The Leadership Lesson in a Turkish Proverb

In a powerful exploration of leadership, a Turkish proverb illustrates how true impact stems from character, not title. Leaders shape cultures, and ineffective ones can turn excellence into chaos. Authenticity, humility, competence, vision, and empathy are vital traits for sustaining a thriving organisation, ensuring that the “palace” remains intact and flourishing.

November 29, 2024November 29, 2024

Ready To Get Lucky?

Luck is not mere chance; it is the intersection of preparation, opportunity, and action. Seneca teaches us that by equipping ourselves with skills, recognizing opportunities, and courageously taking action, we can transform potential into success. Our so-called lucky moments are the result of diligent effort and resilience. Seize your moment!

November 20, 2024November 20, 2024

Einstein. Messi. And you

I want to tell you about two people who, on the face of things, don’t seem to have much in common. And then I’m going to suggest that both these…

November 8, 2024November 18, 2024

Leaders Can Be Developed (No Matter What They Say!)

Leadership is not solely innate; it can be developed through self-awareness, practice, and adaptability, whether you are introverted or extroverted. The key is being able to flex your style to the situation that’s in front of you

November 6, 2024November 18, 2024

When The Going Gets Tough…

Brooke Melton’s tragic death due to GM’s ignition switch defect was the catalyst for Mary Barra to lead with transparency, accountability and decisiveness, thereby transforming GM’s culture and restoring public trust. A lesson for leading in tough times

November 5, 2024November 18, 2024

So Many Decisions (and how to navigate them)

Navigating decision-making can be overwhelming, yet crucial for leaders. Adapting approaches to context drives success, making informed choices essential for effective management and team cohesion

November 2, 2024November 18, 2024

More Ted, Less Don

As the US Presidential election goes into overdrive, it’s a good time to revisit Theodore Roosevelt’s wisdom that authentic leadership hinges on genuine care and trust, rather than brashness and self-interest

January 15, 2018November 8, 2024

The Transition Model

Managing change is challenging but essential. Understanding the emotional transition process helps leaders support individuals, fostering acceptance and creating a vibrant new beginning. Embrace change with empathy

January 11, 2018November 8, 2024

The Experiential Learning Cycle

Experiential learning ignites profound understanding, as engaging experiences lead to transforming knowledge into lasting wisdom. Embrace this journey!

January 4, 2018November 8, 2024

Pre-Performance Routines

A pre-performance routine is often a cornerstone for success, comprising of adaptable habits that focus the mind, enhance confidence, and prepare athletes for peak performance amidst unpredictability

December 11, 2017November 8, 2024

Goal Setting the S.M.A.R.T. Way

To help achieve our goals, S.M.A.R.T. objectives can often help us by providing us with clarity and motivation along the way: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-specific

December 6, 2017November 8, 2024

Rebounding from Mistakes

Embrace mistakes! They are vital opportunities for growth. Choose the positive path to respond effectively, build constructive habits, and refocus on excellence after errors

December 5, 2017November 8, 2024

ABCDE Model of Emotional Disturbance

The ABCDE Model of Emotional Disturbance empowers us to transform negative reactions into self-awareness, fostering rational thought and improving our emotional outcomes through informed belief restructuring

December 4, 2017November 8, 2024

The Differences Between Training, Coaching, and Mentoring

In the realm of people development, trainers impart knowledge, coaches unlock potential, and mentors guide growth, emphasizing adaptability and respect in nurturing individual journeys

December 1, 2017November 8, 2024

The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership® Model

Effective leadership can be cultivated by listening and inspiring others. Kouzes and Posner’s practices – modeling behavior, sharing visions, challenging norms, empowering, and recognizing contributions – unlock extraordinary leadership potential

November 30, 2017November 8, 2024

Locus of Control

Your locus of control can shape your destiny. Embrace your power to influence outcomes, adapt perspectives, and cultivate resilience in both personal and professional realms

November 29, 2017November 8, 2024

The Flow State

Flow is a transformative state where high challenge meets high skill, leading to total immersion and optimal performance, allowing us to transcend worries and lose track of time

November 28, 2017November 8, 2024

Five Methods for Asking Effective Questions

Mastering the art of asking good questions enhances learning, builds trust, and fosters meaningful connections, ultimately driving deeper understanding and productive communication in every interaction

November 27, 2017November 8, 2024

Adjusting Our Focus

Mastering the art of focus, as exemplified by elite athletes, is vital for success in sports and life. Learn to juggle your internal and external distractions expertly, by adapting your concentration accordingly

November 24, 2017November 8, 2024

Three Leadership Styles

Embrace your unique leadership style while adapting to circumstances. Authentic leaders mix confidence, empathy, and reflection, creating positive influence and fostering a dynamic team environment

November 23, 2017November 8, 2024

The Four Stages of Learning Model

Learning a new skill unfolds through four distinct stages: unawareness, awareness of incompetence, conscious effort, and finally, effortless mastery. Embrace this transformative journey!

November 23, 2017November 8, 2024

Performance Anxiety

In 1994, Roberto Baggio faced immense pressure during the FIFA World Cup Final and succumbed to this performance anxiety, illustrating how fear can inhibit even the greats

November 21, 2017November 8, 2024

The Johari Window

Self-awareness and awareness of others can foster respect and collaboration in high-performing teams. The Johari Window model promotes transparency, enhancing self-awareness and team cohesion through feedback and disclosure

November 20, 2017November 8, 2024

Six Behaviours of Champion Athletes

Champion athletes aren’t just genetically gifted; they cultivate effective daily habits over time. Dedication, mastery, and a relentless pursuit of improvement are a few of the behaviours that set them apart

November 18, 2017November 8, 2024

Resilient Confidence

Resilient confidence is essential for success and can be developed through small, incremental challenges, focusing on improvement rather than outcomes, and emphasizing strengths over weaknesses

November 16, 2017November 8, 2024

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation

Motivation is crucial for athletes, whether it is driven by intrinsic joy or external rewards. Intrinsic motivation fosters lasting focus and satisfaction, whilst extrinsic motivation can encourage self-development and improvement

November 14, 2017November 8, 2024

Recovering From Setbacks

Setbacks are inevitable for all athletes, but with a coach’s guidance, they can foster resilience and growth through reflection, support, and positive mindset strategies

November 13, 2017November 8, 2024

The Power of Self Talk

Self-talk profoundly influences emotions and performance; positive thoughts can foster success, while negative ones may hinder it. Control your internal dialogue and unleash your true potential

November 10, 2017November 8, 2024

The GROW Model

The GROW model empowers people to set and achieve meaningful goals by fostering awareness of aspirations, current realities, obstacles, options, and actionable steps toward success

November 9, 2017November 8, 2024

Level 2 Listening

True listening is a genuine skill which is essential for authentic communication and leadership. Embrace level 2 listening to fully connect, understand, and appreciate others in conversation

November 8, 2017November 8, 2024

Sports Skill Classifications

Sports skills are uniquely categorized based on precision, environment, and cognitive demands. Understanding these classifications is crucial for effective training program design tailored to athletes’ needs

November 7, 2017November 8, 2024

Fixed & Growth Mindsets

The distinction between fixed and growth mindsets highlights the transformative power of perspective. Encouraging effort and resilience fosters genuine learning and long-term success in individuals

November 7, 2017November 8, 2024

What is Mental Toughness?

Mental toughness encompasses various traits like resilience and emotional control. Recognizing these distinct characteristics allows for a more nuanced understanding of athletes’ true potential and performance

November 6, 2017November 8, 2024

Performance Dips

Performance dips in athletes can undermine confidence and lead to frustration. Understanding and addressing both somatic and cognitive fundamentals can be highly effective for a speedy and successful recovery

November 3, 2017November 8, 2024

Mental Rehearsal

Mental rehearsal, a powerful visualisation technique, boosts athletes’ performance by enhancing self-confidence, motivation, and focus – crucial for mastering skills and achieving success

November 2, 2017November 8, 2024

Overcoming Fear

Fear, a natural response to danger, can be harnessed positively in sports through desensitisation training and developing mental skills, which can then empower athletes to overcome limitations and thrive in any tricky situation

November 1, 2017November 8, 2024

Game-Day Leadership

Effective leadership in sport encompasses pre-game preparation, emotional control during the match, and constructive post-game evaluations, fostering both individual growth and team unity

October 29, 2017November 8, 2024

Communicating With Skill

Effective communication is vital for clarity and high performance, requiring practice, understanding, and self-awareness, influencing outcomes positively or negatively in any interaction

October 26, 2017November 8, 2024

Practicing For Pressure

Many athletes excel in practice yet falter under competitive pressure. Coaches must integrate pressure training and visualization techniques to prepare them for real-life competition

October 25, 2017November 8, 2024

Being a Team Player

In team sports, individual focus must be balanced with team success. Understanding teammates, embracing roles, and owning performance fosters respect and long-term triumph

October 25, 2017November 8, 2024

Relative Age Effect

The Relative Age Effect reveals that children’s birth months crucially impact their athletic careers, favoring older peers and creating cycles of disadvantage for younger athletes

October 25, 2017November 8, 2024

Maximising Your Potential

To excel in sports, self-awareness is vital; evaluate your skills, set ambitious goals, remain dedicated, and train your mind to maximize potential and achieve greatness

October 25, 2017November 8, 2024

Motivating Your Players

Understanding each athlete’s unique motivation is crucial for coaches. Focus on intrinsic drivers, reward effort, maintain perspective, and prevent burnout to inspire sustained success

October 25, 2017November 9, 2024

Parenting an Athlete

Navigating youth sports today demands balanced parenting, focusing on multi-sport participation, emotional management, and life lessons, ensuring children thrive and enjoy their athletic journey

October 25, 2017November 9, 2024

Bio-Banding

Bio-banding has revolutionised youth sports by grouping athletes based on biological age, addressing disparities in physical maturity, and ensuring fair competition and development opportunities for all players