Finals and end of season trigger reflection on how we progressed and met everyone’s expectations. Young teams rebuilding rightfully claim great victory in making finals: established teams which disappointed again must ask whether ‘the same but better’ approach next year will deliver the ultimate prize. Also ‘We just need 2-3 more players’ can provide false comfort.
Over a decade ago, world sports pioneer Professor Keith Lyons highlighted the importance of club and team Organics™ to achieve and sustain success. Today this is even more important. Keith introduced two national teams which needed ‘help.’ It turned out both were dysfunctional but thought they were fine. Both head coaches knew differently, subsequently left and are legends. Both sports are still dysfunctional.
A head coach in another league asked how to ‘quarantine’ the team from ‘head office.’ There are many other examples – and equally, many examples of strong Organics™ and outstanding success! Where does your club or team fit? How do you know? Are you aware of the aspects of play that depend on the culture, values and roles in the club and team?
A team must be ‘Premiership-ready’ – Organics™ Level 3 of 4 – to have a chance of success. An exception to the rule we have found is where a coach maintains a bubble around the team or rules by ‘fear and favour’ but of course both are unsustainable. Like reputation and regard, club and team Organics™ are slow to build but quickly lost!
For sustained success, a team will thrive in an environment which is unified and healthful, where principles, culture, values, commitment, communication and honesty are absolute. Good people doing good things. An absence exists of egos, blame and ‘it’s someone else’s responsibility.’
Organics™ are driven by leadership. Equally, how does a fish rot? Today’s best practice rests on four Pillars: Resilience, Performance, Governance and Sustainability – all are inter-connected and interdependent. One fails, all fail. Leadership is responsible for more than strategy – communication, culture and integration.
Organics™ levels can be objectively measured today through combined business and sport experience – thus able to appreciate the whole environment. When done effectively, designing a pathway for higher Organics™ will be built on better information and understanding than clubs can obtain themselves. Assessments are based on independence, competence, trust, confidentiality and anonymity. A free initial conversation is available.
