Leadership Lessons from Football from Ben Lyttleton
"Leadership lessons we can learn from football are seriously valuable"
At the GENCFO Academy back in 2022, we had the pleasure of hosting Ben Littleton, a well-known sports journalist and author. During his session, Ben shared some really interesting insights into leadership, drawing from the world of football's top minds. His books, '12 Yards' and 'Edge: Leadership Secrets from Football’s Top Thinkers,' are packed with nuggets of wisdom about how football lessons can be applied to leadership in business and everyday life.
Ben's work is all about what we can learn from football. In '12 Yards,' his first book, he really got into the nitty-gritty of penalty kicks, showing they're more than just a matter of luck. And in 'Edge,' he delved into how the best football coaches build and lead their teams, offering some serious food for thought for business leaders.
The Importance of Spotting Talent
One thing Ben mentioned that really stuck with him from his research was the importance of spotting talent. He talked about Ousmane Dembele, whom he identified as a real talent back in 2014 not just because of his skills on the field, but because of his attitude and work ethic. It's that kind of holistic approach to talent spotting that can really make a difference, no matter what field you're in.
Having cohesion is key
Team cohesion is another big theme. Ben pointed to Athletic Club de Bilbao as an example – they only sign local Basque players, turning what might seem like a limitation into a strength. The camaraderie and shared purpose within that team give them a real edge. On the other hand, teams like Paris Saint-Germain, loaded with star players, often struggle because they lack that cohesion.
Ben also talked about the Super Chicken Experiment, which shows how teams full of superstars but lacking cohesion can end up doing more harm than good. It's all about building teams based on shared values and mutual respect.
Be adaptable
Being adaptable is key when it comes to leadership, Ben said. He had some really interesting discussions with Thomas Tuchel about this – it's about adapting to different environments and measures of success while staying true to yourself and being open to new ideas.
And resilience? Well, that's another big one. Ben mentioned Tim Harkness at Chelsea, who uses some cool techniques to help players build resilience. It's all about facing challenges head-on and bouncing back stronger.
Look at the England women’s football team, the Lionesses, and their recent triumph at the Euros. They showed incredible cohesion, adaptability, and resilience – all qualities that are just as important in the boardroom as they are on the pitch.
What can we learn?
So, in a nutshell, the leadership lessons we can learn from football are seriously valuable. Whether it's spotting talent, building cohesion, staying adaptable, or being resilient, these insights can help us all become better leaders, no matter what field we're in.
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Author
“Chris Argent isn’t here to play by finance’s old rulebook - he’s here to rewrite it.” From challenging outdated corporate thinking to rallying finance leaders around a more connected, adaptable future, the founder of GENCFO is leading a quiet revolution in how CFOs and finance leadership work, think, and influence. Chris Argent, founder of GENCFO, is a finance leader redefining the role beyond business partnering. A self-described “reluctant accountant,” he’s built a global community for progressive accounting and finance leaders who value connection over competition and action over tradition. Chris believes the greatest risk to the profession is clinging to outdated norms, and that mindset and adaptability outpace any technological change. His work champions leaders who turn new ideas into real-world change, blending people-centred strategies with new ways of working and technology. In conversations, he challenges, provokes, and inspires - proving that the future of finance belongs to those ready to lead it together.