Sir Alex Ferguson 10 lessons for managers

in focus

Sir Alex Ferguson Photo courtesy of http://wallbase.cc/wallpaper/2818226

Facts & Figures SAF outlasted 5 American Presidents, 5 British Prime Ministers, 10 Liverpool, 18 Chelsea and 19 Man City Managers

1 Set high standards and hold everyone to them "I constantly told my squad that working hard all your life is a talent. But I expected even more from the star players. I expected them to work even harder."

2 Live and build a balanced life Life outside work: family, hobbies and a horse or two!

Photo: http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/aug/05/gibraltar-in-numbers-britain-spain

3 Have absolute authority over those you manage Leadership is ruthlessness. It involves tough love and being prepared to stand by your decision!

Photo: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/clubs/manchesterunited/article3707073.ece

4 Mentor & take genuine interest in your people “I was scared to go and knock on his door because of who he is but he always made me feel as if I was part of a family and that’s how you feel when you’re at Manchester United.”

Photo: http://wallbase.cc/wallpaper/2765557

5 You must keep reinventing yourself & your team learning, evolving and remaining motivated in pursuit of excellence.

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/ferguson-rubbishes-wayne-rooney-rift-nonsense-the-boys-staying-put-at-old-trafford-29117636.html

6 Believe & invest in youngsters Ferguson told the Harvard Business School that core to his success at Manchester United was building a “club” and not just building a “team” to survive: “The first thought for 99% of new managers is to make sure they win – to survive. They bring experienced players in, often from their previous clubs. But I think it is important to build a structure for a football club, not just a football team. You need a foundation. And there is nothing better than seeing a young player make it to the first team. The idea is that the younger players are developing and meeting the standards that the older ones have set before.”

Believe & invest in youngsters

7 An eye for planning and details SAF recognised the value of the ’6P’s (Perfect Planning Prevents Particularly Poor Performance) leaving nothing to chance. Ferguson always retained a short term goal focus (building towards peak performance at critical junctures in the season and relentlessly winning trophies), a medium focus (squad regeneration) and the long term – building the club structure.

8 Only accept winning “I’ve never played for a draw in my life,” SAF “If there is one lesson politics can take from sport, and someone as successful as Fergie, it is that if winning is what matters, make sure you do everything you need to do to win. That sounds obvious. But it is a mindset that combines the big vision with microscopic attention to detail.” Alistair Campbell!

Photo: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2013/0508/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-to-retire-Who-will-replace-him

9 Rely on the Power of Observation "I came to see observation as a critical part of my management skills. The ability to see things is key -- or, more specifically, the ability to see things you don't expect to see.” SAF!

http://www.letsgetreadytoramble.co.uk/?tag=sir-alex-ferguson

Another lesson learned?

Leave while you are still at the top.

Photo: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manchester-united-manager-sir-alex-1885487

And some Fergie Time”

A truly great leader can shift other people’s perceptions of reality - inspire people to do the impossible.

http://nojesguiden.se/sites/default/files/users/17145/_67466495_fergie_time_getty.jpg

May these tips help you if you’re in a similar situation…

On Arsène Wenger "They say he's an intelligent man, right? Speaks five languages. I've got a 15-year-old boy from the Ivory Coast who speaks five languages!"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2057632/Arsene-Wenger-pays-tribute-Sir-Alex-Fergusons-25-years-Manchester-United.html

Sir Alex Ferguson

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