Leadership, Teamwork, Culture and Tenacity

I appreciate Football not an obvious subject for LinkedIn but stay with me for a few minutes as this is a story that I think we can all take something from.? You may have seen or be aware the Disney channels “Welcome to Wrexham” which is an interesting watch on lower league football. But rather than Hollywood stars bankrolling a relatively sleeping giant this is the real underdog story of the season!?

Context

My team Crawley Town finished 22nd of 24 sides 2022/23 season in league two. Surviving relegation to non-league on the last day of the season.? A small club in relative terms to the 92 league teams with a budget and crowd in the bottom end of the 4th tier of English football.? To put into perspective the club only has 5 full time members of staff not part of the playing team.? During the 23/23 season the club managed out 5 senior players with league experience leave.?A bold choice made even bolder. When they were replaced by 11 players from non-league and a contingent of players who were squad players at other league clubs or youth teams not getting regular football.? Every pundit, bookie and even most fans had Crawley as relegation favourites before a ball was kicked for this season. In business we all have setbacks but sometimes a reset and going again is not easy, but the past does not need to define us.

Leadership

In January 2023 the club was toxic with protests against the new owners by the fans as they faced a 5th manager in 12 months.? Scott Lindsey came via Swindon whose fans in general did not take to him a few seasons earlier he was managing a Chatham Town in the 9th tier prior to this.? Scott story of personal tragedy is summed up this article Who is Crawley Town manager Scott Lindsey who lost his dad, mom, brother and wife - The SportsGrail This goes a long way to define mentality of an individual. A remarkable man and leader that has endured and come back with an attitude to make the most of every one of life's opportunities.

Scott has standards that the team he inherited did not live up to, it took a month before the whole team could arrive to work on time when he first arrived.? After playing a certain way to survive last season he made some calculated risks of playing reserves in games he could did not think they would win to have the best chance in the following match.? A massive risk in league football but one that paid off. Often in business we are not brave enough to focus on the winnable and human nature makes us try for everything. Even when the resources do not align.? In the next season with a team of rejects, misfits and last chancers he applied a certain philosophy.? The style of play was positive, fostered teamwork and demanded high standards of effort. Somehow, he managed to create a side that played great football.? The recruitment game from a data analysis model of looking at players stats akin to Moneyball style.? With the confidence if the raw attributes were there the finishing touches are coachable. Working to a budget less than half that of the top teams in the same league.

Adversity and hard work

Each of the players have their own story of rejection, career threatening injuries or playing part time supplemented with another job to fulfil a dream of being a professional footballer.? Liam Kelly was relegated last season but won MOM three games in a row scoring and assisting at Wembley. Danilo Orsi scored 3 goals last season at Grimsby scoring 25 this term including a Hatrick in the semifinals and a goal in the final. I could list a similar story for each of the squad. Despite setbacks they continued to work hard to be successful.

On Sunday for the first time in 128 years of the club's history they walked out at Wembley the home of football.? And against the odds at the start of the season the team won promotion. ? Fulfilling dreams of the players and fans. What became obvious in the days of celebration that followed is the players had a strong bond on and off the pitch.? Players humble enough to share much of their big moment with the fans. All giving a massive amount of respect for their leader who believed in them. Clearly, they all enjoyed the journey nearly as much as the winning.

Fostering a culture where it is ok to fail, and credit is shared

Watching a young team being allowed to make mistakes but encouraged to continue to continue taking risks.? Too often either staff are not trusted with freedom or chastised when mistakes are made. While frightening to watch as a fan over time the mistakes became fewer, and the results became stronger. With success Scott Lindsey is always quick to pass the credit to the back-room staff and the players, making him a true leader and inspiration not only to me and my son but to 18k Crawley fans who shared the day.??