| The 2010 FIFA World Cup produced some of the | | | | themselves available to movements that had not been |
| most unexpected, and at times controversial, results in | | | | planned. The pressure intensified after the first goal |
| World Cup history. We saw the previous world | | | | was conceded and led to more bad decisions in |
| champions, Italy, leave the tournament in the first round | | | | midfield. The collapse continued, resulting in a red card |
| without putting up any kind of performance. | | | | for the man between the sticks, Itumeleng Khune, and |
| Disagreements in the French camp ended their cup | | | | a further 2 goals. Bafana Bafana bounced back in their |
| dreams in disgrace. And who could forget the series | | | | third game against France and played as they had |
| of goals that should have been but were disallowed | | | | over the three months prior to the World Cup. They |
| and those that did count but were clearly illegal. | | | | scored two goals in the first half and only conceded |
| Tempers flared and tears were shed while some | | | | one in the second. The final score 2-1. |
| exceeded their own expectations. It all makes for very | | | | The lesson: |
| good television. | | | | The match outcome is dependent on the entire team. |
| There are many lessons that can be learned from this | | | | Each player needs to understand what is required of |
| year's tournament and businesses should capitalise on | | | | him and how he is affected by what his teammates |
| these. I would like to share just a few I recognised that | | | | do and how they are affected by the decisions he |
| could benefit you. Starting from the pitch, we will look | | | | makes. If a player makes his own decisions that are |
| at lessons we can learn from the players themselves, | | | | not in line with the team strategy, he is going to put |
| then the teams and finally what we can learn from the | | | | added pressure on his teammates which will lead to |
| coaches. | | | | more mistakes. |
| The Players | | | | When taking on a new project in your company, be |
| This year we were spoilt with the number of great | | | | sure to set out clear objectives and courses of action. |
| players from leagues all over the world who were | | | | Communicate these to every project team member. |
| eager to reach superstar status at the biggest sporting | | | | Help them to understand how their performance is |
| event on the calendar. Lionel Messi, Wayne Rooney, | | | | affected by other team members and how they |
| Christiano Ronaldo and Fernando Torres were among | | | | affect others. Be quick in identifying problems when |
| these and yet very few of them got their chance to | | | | they crop up and what everyone's role is in correcting |
| shine. Instead we saw newcomers such as Thomas | | | | them. Encourage openness and new ideas but set |
| Mueller making their mark. | | | | procedures in place to discuss these before they are |
| The lessons: | | | | implemented. |
| 1. A player's overall rating based on past | | | | The Coaches |
| performances does not necessarily mean that he will | | | | We saw some really great coaches this year and we |
| perform just as well in the next game. Great talent and | | | | saw those that let their emotions run away from them. |
| skill definitely plays a big part but the player must be | | | | Two cases in point were Dunga for Brazil and Diego |
| willing to work hard for his team and prove that he is | | | | Maradona for Argentina. Each coach was in charge of |
| as good as his stats indicate. | | | | one of the two best teams in the 2010 FIFA World |
| Similarly, an employee who performed exceptionally | | | | Cup. Early in the knockout stage of the tournament it |
| well in a previous project should put just as much | | | | looked like it could be Brazil vs Argentina in the final but |
| effort, if not more into future projects to maintain that | | | | it was not to be. Brazil suffered a surprise defeat to |
| high standard. | | | | the Netherlands and Argentina suffered their greatest |
| 2. Some talented strikers in this year's tournament | | | | World Cup defeat since 1952 at German hands or |
| found themselves being marked by two or more | | | | rather feet. Both coaches boasted at the depth of |
| defenders. The really good strikers recognised this not | | | | talent their side possessed. While they cannot be |
| as a threat to their performance, but rather as an | | | | blamed entirely for their side losing, their actions |
| opportunity that opened up spaces for other players | | | | definitely played a part. |
| to move forward. For example, many teams facing | | | | A coach is there to give the team direction, assess the |
| Argentina focused their defensive efforts on closing | | | | flow of the game, recognise the strategy of the |
| down Lionel Messi which gave Gonzalo Higuain | | | | opposing team and capitalise on any weaknesses |
| opportunities to attack. | | | | they may have while working to minimise the threats |
| If key project members in your company find | | | | to his own team. If he starts focussing all his attention |
| themselves facing obstacles, are they able to take an | | | | and emotions on mistakes made by individual players |
| objective look at the situation and see hidden | | | | or the officials, soon his entire team will do the same |
| opportunities? | | | | simply because they have nothing else to focus on. |
| The Teams | | | | How often did we see these two coaches pacing up |
| Every team has its unique style of playing the beautiful | | | | and down the touchline, arms flailing in a desperate |
| game but some seemed to get things just right while | | | | attempt to get the officials to change a decision they |
| others let themselves down. It wouldn't be possible to | | | | had already made. |
| discuss each team but as the tournament was hosted | | | | The lesson: |
| in South Africa, let's have a look at their team, Bafana | | | | Passion can be a powerful driving force to achieving a |
| Bafana. Ranked 83rd on the FIFA World rankings they | | | | positive outcome but can be just as dangerous if it |
| were not expected to go very far. Unfortunately they | | | | becomes focused on issues that are beyond the |
| didn't but they managed to draw 1-1 with Mexico who | | | | team's control. When situations within a match begin to |
| are ranked 17th and beat France ranked 9th by 2-1. | | | | negatively affect the performance of the team, such |
| The match that caused their exit was the 3-0 defeat | | | | as an official's decision regarding player discipline or the |
| to Uruguay (ranked 16th). When Bafana Bafana played | | | | poor result being achieved by a certain tactic, then it's |
| their opening match against Mexico they had a plan. | | | | time for the coach to change the strategy. |
| Every player knew what his role was, where he was | | | | The same goes for your project managers. If a |
| supposed to be and where his teammates were | | | | project starts falling behind schedule, or unexpected |
| supposed to be. Their passing was excellent, their set | | | | changes creep in from the client, or one of your key |
| plays clinical and their composure, although somewhat | | | | project members falls ill, whatever the situation, your |
| cautious, was steadfast. | | | | project managers need to recognise that the original |
| While most pundits thought a defeat to Mexico was | | | | project plan, no matter how good it was or how many |
| sure, South Africa almost secured a win. In their | | | | times it worked in the past, needs to be changed. |
| second match against Uruguay it all went wrong and it | | | | These changes often need to be made on the spot |
| looked like a completely different team on the field. | | | | and therefore require someone who can calmly |
| Some players, perhaps overconfident from the | | | | assess the situation, even if he/she might be under a |
| previous performance took chances that weren't | | | | great deal of pressure, and make decisions that will |
| necessary and made tactical decisions that baffled | | | | help the project team achieve a positive outcome. |
| their team mates. Suddenly, no one was in the correct | | | | There are many more lessons that this World Cup |
| position as everyone tried frantically to make | | | | can give but I hope these few will help you. |