Business and Sports – GO USA Women’s Soccer Team!

Women AND men are focused on our USA Women’s Soccer Team , as they compete in the finals this Sunday.  Yes, I’m impressed with Hope Solo’s dramatic “saves” as the goalie (what a great name, eh? The great white Hope for the team’s victories, and then Solo, because you are all alone defending that box).  And I love Abby Wambach for her dramatic “header” for a goal.  Mostly, as with American football, I love the passion and 100% commitment, and the over-the-top hugging together of the team.

But it’s the coach, Pia Sundhage, who is most eloquent, when it comes to advice we can apply in business.  She’s changed the offense.  Instead of “relying on the forwards to begin the attack,” she “wants the offense to develop in the midfield.”  She favors a “possession-based offense,” like the chapter in my book, Necessary Roughness, “Time of Possession.”

Sundhage says, “the best way of defending is holding the ball. . .force the opponents into submission, because you always have the ball.”  And we need to do the same:  take proactive control (not resting when the phone isn’t ringing), grab that responsibility (showing up on the web, emailing past clients, networking like mad) is how we’re going to win in this paralyzed economy.  I write in my book, ONLY when you carry the ball do you score the points—that’s why the defense forces the opponents into submission, and wins championships.

Sundhage carries on my belief that females thrive on variety—changing things up.  I know—good male coaches do this, too.  (But, the difference is, when male coaches find the sandwich they love for lunch, they will eat that sandwich FOREVER. 🙂 )  Sundhage says, “We need to do different things. Change the point of attack more than once.  For me, the game is about rhythm.”  Me too, Pia.  I love the rhythm of American football most of all, and I’m learning to appreciate the rhythm of women’s soccer  as well.