I have been a fan of Jose Mourinho for many years. When the
opportunity came to watch him work first hand with Real Madrid in Los
Angeles, I signed up for the NSCAA Course right away. I have observed
numerous training sessions at professional clubs with top coaches
before, but this was different. I expected to get an insight to how he
worked on the practice field and hear his football philosophy – what I
got however, was much, much more. An insight to life at the top end of
world football, a chance to see what level of organization it takes to
be successful, and what techniques are used to get the best out of the
best. To summarize the course in one blog would do it an injustice.
Therefore, I will do three blogs that will cover his training sessions,
the work of his staff, including right-hand man, Rui Faria, and this
current blog, his presentation on his leadership and philosophies.
The hugely anticipated presentation for the NSCAA group, took place
in between two training sessions. Mourinho brought his staff along (six
in total) who would take turns in discussing their role in the Real
Madrid empire. Mourinho himself would discuss his beliefs and
leadership. As he introduced his staff, Mourinho pointed out that they
were all wearing fluorescent yellow Adidas shirts “like traffic
wardens”. He explained that the reason for this was for the players
to know the difference between coaches and players, both on and off the
field. Coaches have to stand out at all time so players must not pass
them the ball by mistake. Very simple, he stated, “but it works very
well for us.” Mourinho’s first slide was titled, “The Secret of Our
Success.” The bullet points were:
- Leadership
- Group/ Team
- Connections
- Relationships
He told us that these were not in order of importance, and instead
felt that relationships were vital because “when things go bad,
relationships keep control and balance in the team.” Mourinho then
discussed the types of leadership that are consistent with his approach.
Charismatic Leadership
This is something which he has become famous for. I would define it
as the “Special One” image that has become synonymous with his
managerial style. He started by explaining that this brings a lot of
negatives by the media because of the focus on image and the fact that
it opens the door to criticism. However, it is clear that he believes
strongly in this form of leadership because of the effect it has on his
players. The two areas he discussed were “non-traditional behaviors” and
“sensibility for players needs”. Despite having not been a top player
himself, experience has taught him to recognize what these needs are. As
for “non-traditional behaviors”, he claims to “work on it and gamble
with it”. The first thought that entered my head was the 100 yard dash
down the sideline at Old Trafford when his Porto team scored to knock
Manchester United out of the Champions League. A “gamble” that helped
shape his career. His touchline behavior, which is sometimes
controversial, is always planned. “I feel sometimes that I’m playing the
game. And sometimes the players demand that of me.”
Transformational Leadership
Here Mourinho stressed “Intellectual Intelligence”. He explained to
us that he wants his players thinking all the time, even if it means
wondering what kind of response they will get from the coach. “Every
player is a player, every man is a man”, Mourinho explained. He
will treat them fairly, but not maybe not equally. Different actions
will trigger different responses.
Mourinho then began to discuss what is the most difficult side of
leadership. He believes the goals of his group of players can sometimes
be different from that of the club. He told us that he struggles to go
from the effects on the group (team) to the club philosophy. He wants to
control the group but has no interest in controlling the club itself.
Common objectives and principles may not be consistent with club
philosophy. Here, I believe Mourinho would have to fight a lot of his
battles within the club structure. Perhaps commerical or financial
interests of the club, may conflict with how he would like to work. As
he showed a photo of the victorious Real Madrid, he explained that “the
end should always be just the start of it”. This will be a huge message
to send to his current group of players as this is only the third club
he will have spent over two years with.
Emotional Intelligence
For me, this was the most interesting topic that Mourinho covered
because it gave us an insight into two managerial skills that separate
him from the rest: how he motivates and deals with pressure. “Books help
but you have to be in the active life to understand.”
He defined
Emotional Intelligence as:
- Coping with Pressue
- Sharing Emotions
- Create Forever Links
Mourinho copes with pressure by training himself and his people.
Again, he is always consciously aware of messages he is sending by his
actions and body language. How he gets players and teams to stick
together and work hard, Mourinho said, “I motivate others with my own
motivation. Your motivation must be the engine so the players must then
go with you.” This led him to explain how he always tries to create a
family atmosphere where he works, to the extent that he uses his own
family as a framework.
“I have no problems to kiss, cry with, or kick my
players. Everything belongs to the family. I learn this from my wife and
my own family. In my family, we are open to be criticized by my kids
and the same applies to my players. You must be open in order to share
emotions and ideas.”
Mourinho then asked his staff how long they have been working
together. When one informed him that it has been since 2001, Mourinho
then explained that he and his staff have worked with many players over
the past 12 years, but when they move on to another club, they never
view the player as an ex-player. Instead, once you play for Mourinho and
his staff, you are always one of ‘theirs’. “Forever is forever”, he
told us. This is a unique bond that is not evident in professional
football. Again, by creating this bond with the players, he can get top
performances for a long period of time.
Integrated Leadership
He touched briefly on this and defined it as every aspect of
training. The “complexity of operation” means that if one aspect of
their work is not where they need it to be, it can have effect other
areas. Therefore, Mourinho’s attention to detail is not limited to
tactics or training techniques, but instead to every aspect of the club
that can effect his players.
As Mourinho handed the microphone over to his coaching staff, his
presentation was never quite done. He sat on the edge of his chair and
constantly added or politely interrupted his assistant coaches as they
explained their role in the club. He believes in the complexity of each
relationship at the football club and so must manage it accordingly. He
looks at his players as people, who need to be managed, motivated, and
given special attention to. He also understands the importance of his
own behavior. Although he admits having to “gamble” with his actions, he
is always in control of them and that is key. Top players must love it,
and most importantly, they respond to it. I would suggest that the
‘special one’ tag would be used just as much by these players, as the
fans and media.
No comments:
Post a Comment