A tribute to an inspirational leader: Johan Cruyff. And the lessons we can learn.
We probably all have our own personal examples of leaders that we admire. These certain individuals are role models for many of us during their and our lives. With some of them we have the feeling we grew up with; as long as we can remember these people were always “around” us. And with some of these role models we truly believe they are immortal. These legends will never die. For many people Steve Jobbs was such a inspiration. For others it were music stars like David Bowie or Michael Jackson. For others it were political leaders like JFK or Churchill.
And when these famous icons die we read about them in books and articles, we watch special TV-items about their lives and achievements, we view all the YouTube videos available and use their quotes endlessly to inspire others. For me personally that inspirational leader was Johan Cruijff who sadly passed away March 24th at the age of 68. As long as I can remember he was there. First as player, then as coach, TV commentator, football mentor, columnist and philanthropist. The first time I saw Cruijff in real life (as coach) was in 1987 at the first professional football (socccer) match I ever witnessed. Of course a AJAX game. Cruijff has inspired me and millions of other followers where he proved to be a real leader, team player, a manager, a coach, a game changer and an exceptional conceptual thinker. And as a very warm and social human being. For many Catalonians he was much more than that; he even was their political leader and savior (El Salvador), stepping up to the powers in charge in Madrid. But enough about the history lessons. There are plenty of books to read about all that. What I would like to do is use Cruijff’s famous quotes and see how they can be used or translated into our businesses. We have seen the Einstein, Richard Branson and Steve Jobss’ quotes. Let’s add some of our famous number 14; a Dutch master.
“Choose the best player for every position, and you’ll end up not with a strong XI, but with 11 strong 1’s”
When you create your team in your business, you try to think how the team will be able to work together, right? When hiring new people you even assess them to see how they fit with the already existing team members, correct? The individuals all have to perform top class but in the end it is what the team is able to achieve together. This all makes sense but I believe we still don’t do this enough. We could look better into team cohesion in our businesses.
“Technique is not being able to juggle a ball 1000 times. Anyone can do that by practicing. Then you can work in the circus. Technique is passing the ball with one touch, with the right speed, at the right foot of your team mate”.
This is also an interesting one. Anybody can learn how to create a nice looking powerpoint presentation but only a few know really how to inspire audiences with their presentations. Are you able to ”move” people? Are people following you because you are their manager or because they do believe in you and chose to follow you? I have reported to managers and VP’s and have worked for companies with CEO’s that were ranging from great to really - really bad. The difference; you have leaders by title and you have people who lead (these don’t need any titles). Do you have the technique and the skills to inspire others, to work in a team because it’s coming from your intrinsic motivation or because you have learned this as a trick? (or even use management by fear).
“Why couldn’t you beat a richer club? I’ve never seen a bag of money score a goal”
Unless you have a monopoly position, in business we work in competitive landscapes. Where your company’s footprint is perhaps just a small portion of what your competitor has to offer. Does this mean you cannot score and win the game? Of course not. With the right strategy, segmentation and positioning and of course value proposition for your customers (based on their needs) you do have a chance to win.
“Players that aren’t true leaders but try to be, always bash other players after a mistake. True leaders on the pitch already assume others will make mistakes”.
Oh boy. Haven’t we all had our share with managers who are just like that! It all comes down again to the intrinsic motivation of people. Are we coaching and helping others to truly help them or is for selfish reasons in hope to get better ourselves? Cruijff has dedicated a vast amount of time and money in helping others, not to gain anything but to make them and let them feel better.
“There’s only one moment in which you can arrive in time. If you’re not there, you’re either too early or too late”.
This could be a great quote for marketers; whenever they launch a product or commercial tool; they hit the market either too early, too late or just in time. How can you make sure you hit the market at the right time? Have you done your market studies, is the product you are launching really accepted by your audience, it is grounded in “voice of the customer’, etc. etc.
“Before I make a mistake, I don’t make that mistake”.
Before you launch a new campaign, before you open a new sales office, before you appoint a new CEO; “test the water”. Assess the possible outcomes, work with hypothesis, check and recheck the numbers, work with different scenarios (pessimistic, realistic and optimistic) before you make any decision. In short; do your homework and be prepared.
“There is only one ball, so you need to have it”
I will work with this analogy where having the balls means being the market leader in your industry. When you are already the market leader, what needs to be done to stay in pole position? If you are the market challenger, what can be done to actually gain some market shares and become a stronger player in the market? Companies that are the market leaders today, are not automatically the market leaders of tomorrow. Plenty of examples there…
“Quality without results is pointless. Results without quality is boring”.
I like this one. Think of Apple, Nike or Heineken. Even if you are not an Apple, Nike or Heineken fan you probably can appreciate their marketing campaigns, the way they launch new products and what company culture they have grown. Successful companies without an attractive company culture or image are boring! Companies that succeed with fame and glory, that are able to inspire others, that are leaving something more important behind than just meeting shareholders’ expectations.
“Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is”.
Ever met a sales person who you really liked? Where you thought to yourself, “wow, this person is good!” Or seen a presenter who was able to catch your attention and hold it during the entire presentation? (e.g. talk like TED). These people know their stuff! It’s most likely not easy for them either but they practice and practice and practice until they get it right. And when they do get it right, is all looks “simple.”
"If I wanted you to understand it, I would have explained it better".
Set your own course, set your own goals. Be true to your own ideas and aspirations. Let you inspire by those who inspire. Not those who are in charge but who’s hearts are not in it. Cruijff had an opinion about pretty much everything and yes you can say he was opinionated. But in many cases he was right (definitely about football…) and he stood by his grounds. Let him inspire you to follow your own path, not the path that others have chosen for you.
“I’m ex-player, ex-technical director, ex-coach, ex-manager, ex-honorary president. A nice list that once again shows that everything comes to an end”.
Cruijff was right again. Everything comes to an end. Unfortunately his life ended already at age of 68 (6+8 = 14) where he left us followers behind in dismay. Cruijff was, is and will be a “Dutch Master” and an inspiration for many people around the planet but especially for the Dutch and the Catalonians. I am posting this tribute to this legendary man April 14. “But that’s logic” as Cruijff would have said.
Sandor Willems
