From Beckham to Edison: A Lesson in Accountability

Recently, a colleague said to me that “it only happened once”.

 The effects could have been devastating, to our client, our clients client, my team and my own career. For something to “only happen once”, the butterfly effect of repercussions were incredibly severe.

It was a question of professionalism and it got me thinking, when are slip-ups acceptable and when should there be consequence?

Ultimately it comes down to accountability. When something goes wrong, there will always be consequence. Severity depends on a few things, namely- who owns it, what the effects are and what we’re going to do about it.

For me, one of the most public examples would be David Beckham.

Remember when he scored from the half way line? Remember when he dated a Spice Girl? Remember when he was the face of Brylcreem? Remember when he had a film named after his impeccable free kick taking? He was a darling of the nation and was widely expected to be a star of the 1998 World Cup.

In the final match of the group stages, Beckham scored his first goal for his country and England made it to the knock-out phase. England would play the formidable Argentines and the scene was set... was football coming home?

England and Beckham played well, two goals for each team in the first half and Argentina were on the ropes. With the quarter finals in sight, Beckham had a spilt second of madness, petulantly kicked Diego Simeone and (after an ostentatious dive which Tom Daley would have been proud of) the referee sent Beckham off the pitch, thus turning the odds into our old foe’s favour. Inevitably England lost the match and were eliminated from the World Cup.

The very next day, the entire nation and our fickle media directed vilification towards Beckham (and his family) seldom seen on such scale. Headlines bemoaning Beckham, criticising him and blaming this previously untouchable superstar-in-the-making for England’s downfall incited a hatred as captured below

In spite of all of the hard work and dedication to his industry, this moment of madness had made Beckham an overnight Pariah. No doubt had this happened today, he would have been blamed him for Brexit, Hurricane Katrina and the Arab Spring. Donald Trump might have even reached out and offered support.

This abuse carried on for several years. 

But, what did Beckham do?

He put his hands up, head down and grafted his balls off (acceptable pun?)

It took THREE YEARS of abuse, criticism, blood, sweat and tears for the moment Beckham got the chance to redeem himself....

It was 2001, qualification for the next World Cup hanged in the balance when England faced Greece at Old Trafford, Beckhams’ footballing home. England we’re losing and deep into Injury Time, England were facing elimination again.

Out of nowhere a free kick was awarded; Beckham grabbed the ball with intent- subliminally telling his teammates, the world and the imposing Greek ‘keeper, “I'm having this one, it’s my chance”

What happened next is one of the most glorious redemptive moments we will ever see.

“BECKKKHHAAAAAMMMMM!” The goal flew in and the look in David’s eyes was worth a thousand words. Not only had he sent England to the next World Cup, he had re-proven his worth to the team, and demonstrated his professionalism to all of us. His immediate reaction was to run to the fans punching the air with pure satisfaction

Go on- give it a little watch here... Disclaimer: Back of neck hairs are likely to Stand

Three lessons we can learn from this;

1. Be accountable - the vast majority of problems can be turned around!
2. Professionalism is a 24/7 lifestyle and does not forgive “just the once”
3. Don’t pin your hopes on English football

My point is this, no matter how good we are, how slick our customers' experiences with us are and how great the world rates us, if even for 1 second we let our professional guard down - we must prepare to manage the consequences.

In business we won’t always get a second chance. Even more unlikely is a televised moment of redemption like Beckham had in 2001. Nevertheless, if we respond to our challenges in the same accountable way- I am convinced that we will all get the chance for glory, second time round!

As with science, for every action in business there will be an equal and opposite reaction so whatever challenge you face today and whatever hole you are in, our problems present us great opportunities to shine and excel. As Edison said, “I haven’t failed, I just found ten thousand ways that didn’t work”