England Cricket Renaissance
The peak and trough cycles of sport are such fertile ground for pushing organisational regeneration in general. Unsurprisingly, I've seen countless exhortations to emulate the mindset behind some sporting triumph or other within Enterprise salesteams.
The difference between victor and vanquished often so thin even at the elite level. In cricket, to cite the former player turned commentator 2019 line for the ages, it can be by "the barest of margins".
England's red ball side ascended the heights to be Number One last back in 2012. Only in the past year or so have they looked like being able to once again reach such pinnacle.
The white-ball side went the other way. Gaining their first 50-over world title in that tightest of 2019 finals. The 20-over team arguably the sport's best for the years culminating in winning the 2022 world crown. Then the wheels fell off. Overthinking match decisions, picking players past their prime, complacency stunting evolution.
This week I note a trio of big names revealing ingredients to climb from the doldrums, reach the top and stay at the summit.
SuperMo to his legion of fans (me included) calls time on his glittering international career aged 37. Reflecting on "the best days of my life", Moeen Ali talks in glowing terms about the leadership that brought a brand new template to the England camp. From skipper Eion Morgan;
"Morgs was outstanding. I remember getting caught on the boundary soon after he became captain. I said to him: 'I should have knocked it for one.' He said: 'Nah, next time it needs to go out of the ground.' I thought: OK, this guy is interesting. I'm terrible if someone says don't do this or that — I'll end up doing it. He was outstanding at getting the best out of players. It was amazing to be part of that."
One of my earliest ever posts touched on this very thinking; Miss The Stone.
If you're telling yourself or your charges more Don'ts than Dos you'll be falling down this trap. Switch around the emphasis.
A close friend of Capt Morgan is Brendon McCullum. The kiwi currently overseeing the England Test team resurgence. Sharing their driving philosophy now readily embraced by latest captain, all-rounder hero and white ball superstar, Ben Stokes.
The New Zealander is credited as being an incredible mood-maker. Ben Stokes relates that “he is all about making everyone feel, in his words, 10 feet tall.” (As a sidenote, also a pillar of Pep Guardiola's football man-management.)
In the head coach's own words;
“We want an environment where you want to turn up to work, have a good time, be the best version of yourself, push the boundaries of what you’re capable of. That’s our focus.”
Wanna work in a sales office with that underpinning their work?
Lastly, from a former world-beater now embarking on his own coaching career. And like those above, was killer all-rounder.
Andrew 'Freddie' Fintff was filmed handing the cap to a 20y debutant this week. A now traditional ceremony on the morning of the match. Passing on the baton with a few memorable words. That here reduced Cap 716's mother for one, to tears.
Imagine selling in this kind of sales team:
Where your pursuit tests your ability, character, and personality.
At such a time to come into the team. Everyone in the group willing you to succeed. To do well. And with the challenges will stand right next to you and get you through. And then the successes, will celebrate with you.
As you enter the World of Wonder.
You're filled with pride. Feeling unstoppable.
Encouraged to enjoy it. Have the time of your life. Showcase what you're all about.
Are you in such an environment? Should you be? Can you be?
What does your version of wearing that cap represent?
"Sorry, I'm getting all emotional" 🥲
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 6, 2024
Freddie Flintoff delivering a cap presentation for the ages to make Josh Hull feel 9ft tall on debut 🦸 pic.twitter.com/OhBkMSo3i8