We have all seen locker room speeches. Perhaps it was through the experience of playing or coaching the game, perhaps in a boardroom or conference setting, perhaps in movies or on television (Hoosiers is still my favorite), or possibly through various clips like the one you are going to see below.
A New Leader Arrives
Recently, I saw the best locker room speech I have ever seen by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta via Amazon’s All Or Nothing series.
Let me set the stage.
Arteta was the club’s new manager. He was also the youngest manager in the highly-pressurized and ultra-competitive Premier League. The club had started 0-3 and the fans and media were already calling for his job. Many felt he was in over his head and changes were needed.
Heading into its fourth game, it is not overstating that Arteta’s job was on the line. Arteta was attempting to rebuild the team’s culture from the ground up. He then delivered the following masterclass in leadership. Enjoy this three-minute video and then I will provide 12 lessons on high performance teams and winning cultures:
12 Lessons on High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures
The following are 12 leadership lessons on high performance teams and winning culture you can take from Arteta’s speech. First will be the lesson followed by the quote:
- High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures Get Results – “In many industries they are high performance teams. And these high performance teams are called this because they all have something in common. They get results.”
- High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures Are In Every Industry (Even Your’s) – “High performance teams are not just futbol teams or basketball teams. For example, they can be emergency teams that work in hospitals.”
- High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures Are Made Up Of Special People – “These teams have to be surrounded by people that are very special.”
- High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures Do Whatever It Takes To Get Results – “They are willing to work 24-7.”
- High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures Love What They Do – “They do it for only one reason – Because they love what they do. That’s their drive. That’s their purpose.”
- High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures Are Led By Leaders Who Connect With Others – “I had fear. I had insecurities. I have the media that’s killing me.”
- High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures Are Made Up Of Possibility Thinkers – “Suddenly, I have all the possibilities. I have an incredible family, a wife (and) three kids. I have the club.”
- High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures Elevate Leaders And Everyone Around Them – “The moment I go from here (-2 on the emotional scale) to there (10) is you guys.”
- High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures Are Purpose Driven – “Because this week I had the purpose on why I want to be a coach, what I am aiming to see, why I want to be with these people.”
- High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures Are Better-Equipped To Handle Difficult Situations – “Thank you because you made the difficult moments the best week of my futbol career.”
- High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures Have Belief In Each Other – “Believe in yourself. I do. You are really good.”
- “High Performance Teams and Winning Cultures Are Accountable To Each Other For Their Performance – “The last thing I want to do is blame any of you in difficult moments.”
What Has Happened Since This Speech
The team has improved exponentially since Arteta’s speech. Arsenal is currently leading this season’s Premier League standing after coming in second last season. Two of younger players shown, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, have since developed into two of the finest players in the world.
Mikel Arteta is now considered one of the finest leaders and culture builders, not just the Premier League, but of all of worldwide sports. He was recently profiled in the outstanding leadership book Revolution: The Rise Of Arteta’s Arsenal. If you get an Amazon gift card for Christmas, I highly recommend you purchase a copy by clicking HERE.
As a Christmas gift to you, I want to provide you a video clip of my favorite Arsenal moment this season, a last second game-winning goal for new player Declan Rice. Watch and enjoy. Also, make note of Arteta and the fans’s passion for the club. Arsenal now has a culture which should be admired by everyone regardless of the industry.
What is one thing you learned from Arteta’s speech which will make you a better leader?
#CommissionsEarned
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