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Surely The Legendary Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger Doesn't Need Leadership Coaching. Does He?
It was after an unexpected home defeat to Hull City at The Emirates. The thoughtful Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger was suddenly under-fire from the written press. They thought he'd lost it. His magic touch. His passion. His motivation!
They smelled blood. Maybe the beginning of the end, for Arsene's fantastic reign at Arsenal.
When calmly, amidst the barrage of media questions, the Frenchman gently shrugged his shoulders and put to the puzzled press corps, the intriguing question, 'Who Motivates The Motivator?'
Arsene didn't expect the press to have an answer. But, when you devote your working life to inspiring and motivating others, who do you the motivator turn to, when you need motivating?
It is the dilemma that many busy CEO's, leaders and managers face. But why was Arsene even asking this question? Surely experienced leaders like Arsene Wenger don't need leadership coaching. Do they?
One Game From The Sack...
Graham called me early on a Monday morning. I recognised his voice from the TV. A well-established football manager. Had been in the game many years. And his team were struggling. The Monday morning tabloids were cruelly speculating, about how long he had left in the job.
In football these days, that doesn't necessarily mean a great deal. But, from the tone of his voice, I knew Graham was struggling.
He sounded tired and a bit defeatist. As if he sensed that games were running out for him. And they probably were.
He confessed that he still loved the game. But that, right now, he wasn't enjoying what he was doing. The chairman was on his back. The Assistant Manager was plotting against him. He was working until the early hours of the morning, scouting; talking; worrying.
Basically he wanted help. But, the sort of help you can't find in a football club, or business. Graham needed someone who wasn't just a 'yes man'. Wouldn't just say the right thing to please him.
No. He needed the truth. Someone who could get him back into shape again. Rekindle the fires that had once made him, such a passionate manager. Someone, on the outside looking in, who could tell it like it is. A champion; an advocate; a believer. Leadership Coaching.
On The Couch With The Leadership Coach...
Graham had been a reader of my monthly sports psychology column in 442 magazine, On The Couch With Dr. Martin, for many years. Said that I often wrote what he was thinking.
We looked at how things had got so bad. About his inability to confront problems. About how he had sacrificed his principles for a quiet life.
Had lost his ability to make bold, daring decisions. Decisions that had once been a trademark of his management style. That had created winning teams, season after season. Do you recognise any of these symptoms?
Now he had become cautious. Scared almost. Fear of failure coloured everything he did. Basically, he had lost touch with his natural way of managing and leading. His team played, like he felt. Riddled with anxiety!
If he wanted to keep his job, things had to change. And change fast.
He Breathed A Sigh Of Relief...
We must have spoken on the phone that morning, for nearly three hours. I suspect that Graham was relieved to have someone who understood his situation. And more importantly, knew what to do, to change things for the better.
In that impactful conversation, Graham and I created an immediate strategy to make a difference.
The next morning, he called to tell me, that he was inspired at training. On fire! His passion and
enthusiasm had returned. Yes - as quickly as that!
And, the simple reason that it was back so quickly, was that his conversation with me, cleared the fog that had been building in his mind. He now knew what was wrong, and what to do about it.
For the next two months, the team went on a seven game unbeaten run. The team fed off his passion and enthusiasm. Graham was 'in the zone'. And he kept his job.
But it was a close thing. If he had left it any longer before contacting me, it would have been too late.
Important Note: Some leaders and managers do leave it too late. They don't pick up the phone and ask for help. Instead they get sacked. Or let their business drift. Why?
Because they think that asking for Leadership Coaching, is a sign of weakness. They think, that as a leader they should have the answer to every problem. But they don't. And don't need to have.
It Was A Leadership Coaching Miracle!
One leader who didn't hesitate to ask for Leadership Coaching, was Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez. With his team near the Premier League drop-zone, Roberto was under extreme pressure.
And with a must-win game against Arsenal to come at the week-end, he needed an urgent input of belief, support and confidence.
What happened that Sunday against Arsenal, will live in the memory of all Wigan supporters. For The Latics came from two goals down to beat Arsenal 3-2. Sky Sports Paul Merson called the result 'a miracle'. Wigan's Premier League status was secured. Arsenal's title aspirations were in shatters.
But that memorable March Sunday at the DW Stadium wasn't 'a miracle'.
Wigan's manager had an injection of self-belief that he was able to transfer directly to his players. His belief became their belief.
So - what would be possible for you and your team, if you had an experienced Leadership Coach in your corner?
Glamorgan Win At Lords - For The First Time In Fifty-Six Years!
Another leader not afraid to ask for help, is Glamorgan County Cricket Club skipper Jamie Dalrymple. Jamie is determined to bring some success to Glamorgan. A side who have under-achieved for year after year.
And the Leadership Coaching is bearing fruit. Today, Glamorgan stand on top of The County Championship, having broken all sorts of records on the way. Including winning at Lords for the first
time in fifty-six years.
What stop-situation would you like to overcome?
So - Why Does The Motivator Need A Motivator?
Motivators like yourself, benefit from having Leadership Coaching, because of the constant demand that you, as a leader face. The demand to give to others. All the time.
There are so many answers to find, to so many problems. Which is fine when things are going well. When the team are winning. Or business is flourishing.
But what when they are not? When the chairman gives you that 'look'. The 'look' that says, you had better know how to turn things around. Or the staff turn to you, and want answers as to how the business will turn around.
The job can become an obsession, can't it? It can be difficult to switch off. Sleep even.
Then there's the family. When was the last time, you and the partner went out to dinner? Or went to see a movie together?
You may even feel guilty about switching off. About having that time. Maybe you feel that you should be working twenty-four hours a day?
And then you lose sight of the bigger picture. You get caught up in doing 'stuff'. The strategy and vision becomes mere words on paper. The organisation or team, then starts to lose direction, and go off course. And you just don't know how to get back on track. Frustrating isn't it?
No Sycophancy or Hidden Agendas...
Leadership Coaching is for managers, leaders and captains of industry. In other words, for anyone in a position of leadership responsibility.
The purpose of hiring me as a Leadership Coach, is it gives you the advantage of having someone on the outside, with no hidden agenda, only...how can I help you become a more effective leader?
The greatest potential weakness of any motivator, is being unable to ask for help when they most need to.
Remember that there is a great strength in being able to recognise when you need support, and to deliberately get that support. For what good is your stress and anxiety to your team or business?
The Top Five Areas You May Need Leadership Coaching For...
- Communicating With Others - When a leader is struggling, its impacts negatively on the quality of communication with those around them.
- Making Decisions - Procrastination takes the place of effective decision-making
- Overcoming Fear Of Failure / Lost Confidence - Once fear takes hold, no one in the business dare take a risk. And morale slumps!
- Working ON The Business not IN it - You may be busy. But doing what?
- Finding Time For Yourself Or Family - Working long hours is not the same as working effectively. Do you feel drained, because all you ever seem to think about are problems?
Who Has The Leadership Coach Helped Recently?
Here are some recent examples of leaders and managers, who have thrived as a result of Leadership Coaching.
- A struggling football manager, who was just one game from the dreaded sack
- An over-worked business leader, who had lost his sense of purpose
- A cricket coach, who needed serious help in understanding how to motivate his team
- A stressed-out night club manager, who was working IN not ON his business
- A desperate CEO who needed to rekindle his energy and enthusiasm for the job
Damian Hughes HR Director From 'Unilever PLC', Had This To Say...
Damian Hughes read my column in 442 magazine, and hired me to provide Leadership Coaching for managers and leaders, at the Unilever PLC flagship factory at Port Sunlight. He had this to say about my work.
"Martin Perry is a master of his art. He is unique within British industry. In my experience, Martin possesses the wit, courage and ability to make the spectacular happen, and to release the untapped potential that we all possess, both as individuals and within teams.
"I would encourage anyone reading this to extend an invite to Martin, share your challenge, light the blue touch paper and then stand well back and enjoy the show!
Graham Was 'In The Zone'...
The aim of my work, is not simply to help you get back on track. No, it's much more than that. I want you to be 'In The Zone', like Graham.
You may have heard the phrase. Sports professionals use it a lot. But you rarely hear leaders and managers talk about it.
When a leader is 'In The Zone', decision-making seems easy. Everything you do turns to gold. You feel 'lucky'. But you know that it's more than that.
You feel focused and relaxed at the same time. You sense that everything is in place for success. You trust your instincts, and your hunches pay off.
When we work together, this is the journey that I will take you on. Are you up for it?
You'll Have To Act Fast!
We can work on any aspect of your leadership that needs transforming. My wish, is to get you enjoying your work again. I will be helping you develop simple, but hugely effective strategies, to get your leadership back on track.
So if you get the feeling, your success depends on my sort of Leadership Coaching, I strongly urge you to act now.
For I limit the number of clients that I work with. This is to ensure, that I can give full and total support to you, when we begin our work together.
For I will be in your corner every step of the way, as we take your leadership to a new level.
Call The Leadership Coach Now!...
So, either call me on my personal mobile - 077897 56425. Tell me your situation, in complete confidence. From talking to me, you will quickly get an idea of how I can help.
Or if you prefer, fill in the form below. Please write a response to each of the questions, then send it to me using the 'Start Coaching' button at the end of the form.
You will then receive a call or email from me, to arrange a time to talk. By the end of this initial conversation, I firmly believe that you will start to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Remember - you could wait and hope that by magic, your become a better leader. But experience tells me that rarely happens.
The sooner we get started, the faster you will be on track to reigniting your leadership.
So, either fill in the form, or CALL THE LEADERSHIP COACH ON - 077897 56425
Martin Perry - Leadership Coaching: 077897 56425