Beyond The Pitch: Leadership Lessons From Pep Guardiola.

I am a firm believer in the power of curiosity and continuous learning. Driven by this belief, I have read my fair share of leadership books, biographies and case studies. Yet, I was not expecting a leisurely watch to reveal such a hidden gem, full of leadership insights and analogies. As a sports enthusiast, a recent Netflix show titled "Together: Treble Winners" presented all the ingredients to captivate my attention. It chronicles the journey of one of the greatest football (aka soccer) teams in recent history - perhaps even of all times - in their quest for a rare treble. This feat involves winning both local championship and cup as well as the hyper-competitive Champions League (note: as a Paris Saint Germain fan, I know all too well about the repeated heartbreaks and frustration this unique competition breeds but hope this year’s outcome will turn out differently…).

What began as a casual viewing quickly turned into a compelling masterclass, unveiling many leadership parallels that resonated deeply with my own experiences in Luxury Retail. Undoubtedly, the key figure from this show is none other than the renowned manager Pep Guardiola. Considered one of the greatest football minds, he is celebrated for his tactical brilliance and an ability for assembling successful teams collecting wins and titles. Guardiola's journey—from Barcelona to Munich and eventually Manchester City (forever the city’s second team behind the other club, United, until his arrival and that of new owners)— represents a testament to transformative leadership.

Throughout the six episodes, we witness Manchester City's quest for glory over a period of ten months, punctuated by early success, growing pains and doubts but also resilience and fun. In each episode, I could not help but admire Guardiola's attitude. And just like that, what started as a no stake casual watch turned into a leadership masterclass, revealing countless connections between football and my experience and my own values. This documentary underlines how Guardiola's success is more than just about masterful tactics and strategy. It is as much about a unique leadership approach which originates and extends well beyond the pitch.

The series is made of glimpses into the hard work, practice sessions, travels and games being the daily lot of professional athletes. What struck me the most is Guardiola's adaptability. He possesses an innate sense of when to motivate with fervent speeches, inspiring strength and resilience, inviting a reaction from a team he feels is fighting itself and doubting its abilities, and when to exercise restraint, both in his tone and choice of words. Thus, after a painful defeat, he simply and genuinely encouraged his team to enjoy their rest, focusing on themselves before returning to practice. This choice not to dwell on the disappointment shows confidence in his team, sending an implicit message: “I know you did your best. I know what you can do. I trust you. We will win the next game.” This, to me, is the sign of a true leader. One who does not solely rely on pressure but practices kindness and offers unrelenting support, especially in the toughest of times. Guardiola also fosters an environment where players take initiative, motivating each other, taking the lead in the locker room. This highlights how deeply rooted the organization’s culture and values are, how well adopted they are by each member of the club. Let us have a look into some of these key leadership values and traits as exhibited by Guardiola.

Making and Maintaining Authentic Connections.

One of the most striking aspects of Guardiola's leadership is his ability to genuinely connect with his players on a personal level. He is not afraid to show vulnerability, to empathize with their struggles, always treating them as human beings first, not just athletes. He leverages his personal experience as a player and his empathy to connect with his team.?

In a revealing scene, a player is going through a difficult situation. Rather than lecturing him or demanding better performance, Guardiola sits down with the player, listens intently, and offers words of comfort and support. He makes it clear that his concern for the player goes beyond just what happens on the pitch.

This ability to foster deep, meaningful connections serves Guardiola well when he needs to deliver tough messages or push his players to their limits. They trust him knowing he cares about them as people, not just as a means to an end. This does not just apply to the players. Guardiola demonstrates gratefulness and recognition for the support staff, assistant coaches, physios or cooks. He treats each member of the organization with the same respect and nurtures a culture of collaboration and team spirit. This is undeniable in seeing the fun the team is having together with all the bantering and various pranks being played. A team who has fun together plays better and sticks together in the more difficult times.?

Defining a Compelling Vision.

Guardiola is also expert at articulating a clear, compelling vision for his team. He refrains from just barking orders or focusing solely on winning. He shares a vivid picture of the style of play he wants to see, the collective identity he wants to cultivate, and the legacy he wants his players to achieve for themselves. By insisting on the method -the "how"-, he trusts the right results will follow.

In the documentary, we see Guardiola meticulously planning training sessions and strategy meetings, always with an eye toward bringing to life his distinct football philosophy through his players. He challenges them to not just win, but to win in a certain way - with poise, creativity, and a commitment to offense, delivering an attractive football the fans will enjoy watching. He also repeatedly encourages them to move forward after a disappointment or a mistake, not to judge or criticize one another but to return to the principles they practiced over and over.

Guardiola does not just dictate this vision from on high. He actively involves his players in the process, soliciting their input and empowering them to take ownership. The result is a shared sense of purpose that silences ego and private interests. This is obvious in the way the players talk to each other, how some take the lead in sending strong messages to initiate a reaction, to remobilize in the face of a challenging situation. This empowerment is remarkable and highlights the team has made the principles their own. They do not act the way their leader is asking them to, they simply are. The theory has become a philosophy, a way of being, a way to win, together.?

Nurturing a High-Performance Culture.

Perhaps Guardiola's most impressive leadership quality is his ability to implement a high-performance culture within his successive teams (FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City). He demands excellence and accountability from everyone, but he does so in a supportive way that brings out the best in people rather than tearing them down. He will speak privately to a struggling player, not in front of his teammates, looking to help them overcome their challenges. All athletes go through a confidence crisis at least once in their career and all teams go though negative spirals. The strongest ones demonstrate their character by the way they can weather these hard to avoid phases and come out of them more focused and resilient.?

Guardiola knows this, both from his perspective as a player and an experienced manager. He too has made mistakes and learnt from them. He is constantly challenging his team, pushing his players and staff to new heights, but he does so with empathy and an understanding of each person's unique strengths and weaknesses, simply looking for them to achieve their full potential. He is also deeply aware that all levels of the organization must operate in synergy for them to reach the optimal state of flow. The result is a cohesive, motivated and inspired team that is greater than the sum of its parts. Even when faced with setbacks or adversity, Guardiola's players remain united and resilient, driven by a common sense of purpose, confidence - in themselves as well as in their team - and a desire to deliver excellence.

Lessons for Business Leaders.

While the world of professional sports may seem far removed from the corporate one, Guardiola's leadership approach offers valuable lessons for business leaders of all horizons. Leadership is all about connecting to other human beings, the ability to influence and the openness to be influenced by others.

Like the most acclaimed business leaders, Guardiola understands that sustained success is built on more than just tactical acumen or a focus on short term results. It requires the following:

- An ability to inspire people and unite them around a common vision.

- To foster a culture in which accountability and high performance go hand in hand.?

- Most importantly, it relies on genuine and deep individual connections.

- A will to evolve, always learn and keep growing.

By emulating Guardiola's example, leaders can cultivate the kind of engaged, high-performing teams that can weather any storm and achieve extraordinary results. This show was a great watch for me and I can only encourage you to look into it (although it might be a little more challenging if you are a die-hard United fan) whether you are looking for some inspiration or simply are into sport.

“The result is an empty thing. The result is I'm happy for the next two days because I get less criticism and more time to improve my team. But what satisfies me the most in my job is to feel emotions, the way we play.”

Pep Guardiola