Imagine a parallel universe where Premier League football managers and startup founders swap places. It’s not as far-fetched as you might think. Both are playing the ultimate game of chess, but with real people and, occasionally, with even more at stake than a shiny trophy and a sack full of cash.
? Goal! I Mean, Goal-Setting A football manager tells their team to hit the back of the net. A startup founder? They want to disrupt the net—figuratively speaking. Yet, they both get that sinking feeling when the plan goes awry, and it turns out the net they score in is their own.
? Substitutions and Pivots When a striker’s not striking, they get subbed. If a product isn’t clicking in startup land, it gets pivoted. Or a player leaves the club because they don’t fit or don’t get the vision. It’s all about changing players or tactics at just the right moment and hoping the fans (or investors) understand what on earth you’re up to. Both get the press conference or investor communications to explain their thinking. AND both can get fired themselves.
? Juggling Egos and Other things Managing a team of high-ego players while trying to maintain harmony? That’s just a Tuesday for both a football manager and a founder. The difference? One juggles egos in the changing room and during training; the other juggles egos… and sometimes lines of code or other parts of the business. Sometimes simultaneously.
? The League Table Doesn’t Lie… Or Does It? In football, the league table is the brutal truth-teller. In startups, it’s your burn rate, user acquisition and often the path to ‘break-even.’ Both have the power to make grown adults weep or order way too many pizzas.
? Tactical Fouls and Market Disruptions Sometimes, a footballer takes one for the team with a tactical foul to gain an advantage or prevent an opponent from succeeding. In the startup world, disrupting the market isn’t really your foul. It’s clever slightly cheeky, and it’ll earn you a yellow card from competitors (or a badge of honour, depending on your point of view and who is judging you).
? Rollercoaster of Emotions Whether you’re facing relegation or your series A funding fell through, you’ll ride the same rollercoaster of emotions. The highs are high, the lows require chocolate, and you’re only as good as your last game or maybe your first or second half.
So, next time you watch a manager pacing the touchline or a founder pitching for capital, spare a thought for the shared trials and tribulations in their field of dreams. Because at the end of the day, whether you’re aiming for goals or growth, it’s all about keeping the ball rolling… without kicking it into your own face, or somebody important’s face, such as a client in startup land.
#Leadership #StartupLife #PremierLeague #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #TeamManagement
