Building a Dream Team

10 Lessons in the Art of Recruitment we can take from the Lionesses and the Matildas?

Women's football has grown immensely in recent years and it’s the women who guide these teams that have honed valuable skills that extend beyond the game itself.

The Lionesses and Matildas recent performances displayed not just athletic prowess; but many valuable lessons we can take as hiring managers and recruiters looking to build their next dream team.

In admiration for their ability to mould winning teams we took a look at 10 lessons that we can glean from their coaching playbook.?

1.?????Diversity and Inclusion at the forefront

The woman's football teams continues to support the way that women are viewed and represented in sport and further afield, as well as offers inspiration to young girls globally

• Build teams, with a focus on diversity, brining together a range of perspectives and backgrounds will foster greater creativity and innovation.
• Seek candidates from different walks of life to enrich your team with fresh ideas and varied viewpoints.

2.?????Cultivate a Positive Team Culture

• Women’s football coaches create an environment where players feel valued, respected, and empowered.
• Focus on creating a cohesive company culture that will better attract candidates who align with your organisation's values and will positively contribute to building a winning team.

3.?????Spot Hidden Potential

• ?Coaches are adept at identifying raw talent and potential. They recognise that skills can be developed with the right guidance and training.
• Look beyond a candidate’s immediate qualifications and CV and consider those that show potential for growth and a willingness to learn.?

4.?????Communication is Key

• ?Communication is a cornerstone of coaching. Women's football coaches excel in conveying strategies, expectations, and feedback to their players.?
• Maintain clear and transparent communication to better manage your candidate and your teams expectations to ensure that there is a smooth transition into their next role.??

5.?????Balance Individuality and Teamwork

• Understand the importance of individual strengths within a team dynamic.?
• Harness the unique skills of each team member to contribute to the collective success.?

6.?????Adaptability in the Face of Adversity?

• Both the Lionesses and the Matildas faced unpredictable situations during the matches and showed an ability to adapt swiftly to the changing dynamics of the game?
• The recruitment process is often full of ups and downs but having the flexibility to switch up your approach based on the evolving market or candidate preferences is essential to success
• If a candidate is able to demonstrate a resilient mindset they’re much more likely to excel in demanding work environments.

7.?????Lead by Example and pay close attention to Role Models??

• Set the tone for discipline, work ethic, and dedication.?
• Sarina Wiegman the 'calm genius' behind the Lionesses knows that she is a role model?for many young women and girls across the country. She not only is a dedicated and passionate leader but she is committed to promoting gender equality in sports and her advocacy for women football highlight her role in breaking down barriers and encouraging inclusivity
• Hire leaders who can inspire and motivate their teams, drive performance, and foster a culture of excellence.

8.?????Invest in your People?

• Coaches dedicate time to enhancing players' skills and capabilities.?
• Invest in your employees' professional development, offer opportunities for growth, and don’t cut corners when it comes to looking after your team’s mental health
• Take time to develop wellness initiatives?
• A commitment to your teams’ personal and professional development will pay dividends?

9.?????Build trusting Relationships

• Establish a sense of trust and rapport?
• This begins with respectful and transparent communication

10.??Celebrate Wins and Learn from Losses

• Embrace both as part of the journey.?
• Acknowledge your successes, no matter how small. View setbacks as learning opportunities and you'll create a culture of continuous improvement and resilience.

Thank you, both Lionesses and Matildas for being an inspiration, not only out on the field, but across all areas of our lives, whether that’s building better workplaces through thoughtful and strategic recruitment or through inspiring us to live to our fullest potential.

So, as we celebrate their achievements, let's also apply their insights to help shape a brighter future for ourselves and our teams.

"Tomorrow is a day of opportunity and we're ready"

Leah Williamson