Martin Perry - The Leadership Coach
The Leadership Coaching Blog
This leadership coaching blog, considers West Ham United's three goal turn around against West Bromwich Albion at the week-end.
Leadership Coaching - The Scott Parker Effect
'He was inspirational. He was in the zone'. The words of West Ham striker Carlton Cole, describing colleague and captain Scott Parker.
Not Parker's effervescent performance on the pitch. But his half-time team talk. A team-talk that led to three second-half Hammers goals, to snatch an unlikely draw.
Now that kind of inspiration is usually the preserve of the manager. He's the one whose paid to motivate, and get the best out of the players. To make the hairs on the back of their neck stand up, through his powerful use of language.
So Avram Grant must be thankful that he has Parker's presence to rely on when the going gets tough. Which is great, when they head back to East London with a result.
But if they hadn't got a draw then rest assured, players would have questioned the manager's motivational abilities. 'Reliant on his captain to do what he's paid to do', they would have whispered.
Students of Avram Grant's touchline manners, will be well aware that the Israeli doesn't do encouragement. At least not openly. He keeps his emotions well in check.
But with the Hammers locked in a relegation dog-fight, he has to have the players with him every step of the way. If Scott Parker is perceived to be 'the leader' that will work fine if the team is doing well.
But a couple of reverses, will soon have the players blaming their manager for lack of leadership. It's a massive potential problem for Grant. And one that he must hope doesn't undermine the relegation battle.
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