Recently, we had the incredible opportunity to host three Manchester City coaches for a soccer clinic at our office. Manchester City had just played Barcelona in Orlando the night before and when Manchester City tours, they have a program that provides this opportunity for the youth in the community. Embracing the heat – there were around 120 enthusiastic youth participating in the two morning sessions. It was a day filled with energy, learning, and motivation (and water – lots of water!). After the clinic, I helped break down the tents, goals, and other equipment and had a chance to chat with one of the coaches about his day. I asked him what were the main things that the youngsters needed to work on, and his insights struck a chord with me, not just for soccer but for leadership as well. He emphasized two key points:

1. Sometimes you must go backward to move forward, and
2. You must learn to slow down to move faster.

Going Backward to Move Forward
In soccer (a.k.a. in the rest of the world as “football”), players often pass the ball backward to create a better opportunity to move forward and towards the goal. For the non-soccer players, you may see it and think – that is not the correct way; you are going the wrong way! This strategy ensures that the team maintains control and can find the best path to advance. In the same way, in leadership, there are times when we need to step back, reassess our situation, and revisit our foundational principles to be able to move forward or better progress. Doing this could lead to more strategic and informed decisions and better outcomes.

Some tips to consider and practice: Take (and make) time to reflect on your current strategies of doing programs, work, etc., and evaluate how effective they are. Use what you have learned from your past experiences and use those experiences to influence (guide and shape) your future actions. Make a concerted effort to stop briefly to review your goals and make sure they align with your overall vision.

Slowing Down to Move Faster
Soccer is considered a fast-paced sport – the need for speed is often considered the most important aspect. But sometimes, slowing down can be the key to success. This allows players to handle and control the ball better, to think ahead, and to be deliberate with moves rather than rushing and risking mistakes. The same concept applies to leadership. When we as leaders slow down, we can make more thoughtful decisions, plan effectively, be intentional, reduce our stress…Simply put, when leaders rush, it could lead to errors and missed opportunities. We should practice mindfulness and deliberate decision-making much more than we do today. Take time for thorough planning and consideration before acting. In high-pressure situations, it is crucial to maintain composure and clarity. These can be integrated into everyday leadership practices through reflective exercises, team activities, and discussions that emphasize the value of slowing down.

The insights from the Manchester City coach remind us that leadership, much like soccer, requires strategic thinking and intentional actions. When we embrace the two concepts he suggested (stepping back to progress and slowing down to move faster) under a leadership lens, we can enhance our leadership effectiveness and achieve our goals more efficiently.

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