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on August 2, 2023 in Explaining

A Disappointing Performance

Going into Tuesday’s World Cup match against Portugal, the United States women’s national soccer team (USWNT) was heavily favored.  This is because they had not only beaten, but dominated the Portuguese club 39-0 (yes, you read that right) over their 10 previous contests.

However, the USWNT barely survived the contest coming out with a 0-0 tie.  It was an embarrassing performance which could have been even worse.  The U.S. survived a shot on goal which barely missed going in, ricocheting off the post.

A Frustrated Response

Afterwards, U.S. soccer legend Carli Lloyd, telecasting the match for Fox Sports, did not mince words over the team’s performance and post-match reaction.  Watch the clip below:

She did not stop there.  Lloyd then turned her attention to USWNT National coach Vlatko Andonovski.  Watch below:

 

Kobe Bryant

Her reaction reminded me of the following exchange between Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and Jimmy Kimmel following the team snapping an eight game losing streak.  Click HERE or the image below for 60 seconds of Bryant’s hysterical reaction.

A Passionate Response

Many were surprised by Lloyd’s response.  They felt it was harsh and not befitting of someone criticizing her former teammates.  Here is one example:

While some did not appreciate Lloyd’s response, the following is what we learn from her and Kobe’s response:

8 Leadership Lessons From Carli Lloyd’s Controversial Critique Of The USWNT’s Performance

  1. The standard is the standard.  The standard for women’s soccer on a global stage is high.  For the USWNT it is not only championship or bust, but to do so in a dominant fashion.  That is the standard.  To tie their last two games 0-0 against Portugal and 1-1 against the Netherlands is simply below the team’s standards and expectations.  Which leads to the next point.
  2. Leaders never lower the standard.  They only raise it.  Effective leaders bring out the best in us.  When you have beaten a team 39-0 over 10 previous meetings, you do not celebrate a tie.  This would never happen in corporate America and should not be accepted in athletics either.
  3. There is a difference between critique and criticism.  Lloyd’s analysis was accurate.  She discussed the coach and team’s performance on the field.  She never made it personal.
  4. Leaders should never be reduced to a level of mediocrity.  I once completed a project for my company’s president and it clearly did not meet his standards.  He looked at me and firmly said, “Brian, I will never be reduced to a level of mediocrity.  Do it again.”  It was a painful but important lesson I have carried with me the rest of my life.
  5. No one should ever celebrate average.  No one wants to go to an average restaurant, eat an average meal, go to an average movie, or enjoy an average vacation.  Who wants to attend their business’s year-end Christmas party and discuss each other’s average performance.  No one wants average.  In fact, we dislike it if we are being honest.  The USWNT should not be celebrating back-to-back tie scores and average performances.
  6. Great leaders demand great performance.  Carli Lloyd has won two Olympic gold medals and two World Cups.  Kobe Bryant won two Gold Medals and six NBA championships.  It is to be expected that during times of subpar and average performances that leaders with high standards will become frustrated and angry.  We would be surprised and disappointed if they did not have such a reaction.  The question then begs, who in your organization speaks out when average performance takes place and expectations aren’t met?  Every successful organization has Carli Lloyds and Kobe Bryants in it.
  7. I guess every adult gets a trophy now as well.  We all know the frustration leaders have with “every kid gets a trophy.”  Are we now giving trophies to every adult as well?  It appears a tie against an inferior opponent is now worth singing, dancing, and celebrating.
  8. The Expectation and Excellence Tax.  Simply put, there is more expected from elite performers and programs.  This is the tax world-class organizations and performers must pay.  Expect higher expectations.

Carli LLoyd has taken some heat but she is exactly right.  And leaders know it.

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