Lionhearts FC - more leading than managing!

I am reading a great book called 'The 360 degree leader' by a guy called John Maxwell.  Page after page I am confronted by superb reflections on leadership; each section or even sentence requires me to reflect and question my own leadership.  For example Maxwell explains the difference between management and leadership - "managers work with processes - leaders work with people.  Both are necessary to make an organisation run smoothly, but they have different functions"

This got me thinking about the areas I 'manage' and especially Lionhearts FC which is the Saturday morning kids football team I am responsible for.  Lionhearts has increased from 1 team in the 2009-2010 season into 4 teams playing in the South London Churches League 2011-2012.  This means that we have around 50 lads between the age of 8 and 14 involved every weekend.  This is a rapid expansion of players but also managers and leaders.

Whilst I hold responsibility for the whole club there are a fantastic group of people involved.  However I get to lead the under 14's A team who as I write are undefeated after 4 league games this season.  Last year we finished bottom of the league (see a previous blog 'Managing the team at the bottom of the league') so this season's success has come after a number of major leadership challenges.   Imagine how you would motivate a team during a half time team talk when you are losing 7-0 at half time.

Managing the under 14's team requires far more working with people than working with processes.  I think that all Football Managers need to be great leaders.  It is about getting the most out of the players and this is achieved by valuing the players as people.  Seeing players flourish as part of a team is one of the great joys of being involved in Lionhearts.  That does not depend on how talented a boy is but on helping the lads develop in how they apply themselves.  On Saturday the under 14's team I coached played with amazing passion and each did their jobs so well, prepared to work hard for the whole team.  I won't name names for obvious reasons but I expect all the boys slept well on Saturday night because they worked so hard and were brilliant!  Character was shown when they responded to being behind twice in the match coming through to win 6-4.

A winning team however does not mean that leadership becomes easier.  Leadership is essential whether the team is winning or losing.  Developing character is an essential part of life as well as key to playing good football (despite the examples set in some parts of the professional game).  And when we next lose a match we will learn more about our team!

Finally a huge THANK YOU to all the Dad's who help 'manage' and also the young coaches who help with training and make Lionhearts FC a great place to be.  Let's value everyone's contribution!  And let's LEAD these young lads to become better people!