4-2-2: Lessons from the Europa League final

Hi, 

How are you doing? I’m on a high after the Spurs win in the final yesterday 😎⚽️

People doubted Ange but he stood by his word and did in fact win it in his second season! It just goes to show how important it is to focus on building strong habits. That’s how you achieve world-class results.

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Focus on Habits, Not Motivation

Motivation comes and goes, but habits stick. In football, I saw talented players fail because they relied on motivation alone. The elite ones? They built habits that didn’t need willpower. In business, stop relying on bursts of energy to get things done. Build systems and routines that carry you forward—even on the days you don’t feel like it. Habits are the foundation of world-class performance.

Embrace Constructive Discomfort

The best growth never happens in comfort zones. In football, pushing through difficult training sessions, new tactics, or uncomfortable feedback was essential. In business, growth often looks like tough conversations, new challenges, or stretching into unfamiliar areas. Don’t run from discomfort, lean into it. It’s a sign that progress is happening.

Guard Your Confidence

Confidence is one of your greatest assets, and it’s fragile. In sport, one mistake could shake a player’s confidence. But world-class performers protected theirs with routines, preparation, and strong self-talk. In business, be mindful of what you allow to chip away at your confidence. Surround yourself with people who lift you. Reflect on your wins. And when you wobble, get back to the basics that built your confidence in the first place.

Clarity Fuels Action

One reason people stall is lack of clarity. In football, if the game plan wasn’t clear, players hesitated, and hesitation cost us. In business, vague goals or unclear instructions lead to the same problem. World-class performers seek clarity. What does success look like? What’s the first step? What’s the end goal? The clearer the vision, the faster the action.

Rituals Build Identity

Every elite football team I played in had rituals, pregame routines, victory songs, even the way we warmed up. They built identity and connection. In business, create your own team rituals. Morning huddles, shared wins of the week, regular check-ins, these habits help the team bond and build shared culture. It’s not about what the ritual is, it’s about the meaning behind it.

Win the Transitions

Top teams in sport are sharp during transitions, offence to defense, on the pitch to the dressing room. Business teams face transitions too: new hires, leadership changes, product launches. World-class teams plan and manage these moments well. Transitions are fragile periods, handle them intentionally, and your team won’t miss a beat.

Recognition Over Rewards

The best leaders I played under didn’t just hand out bonuses, they gave belief. A well-timed word of encouragement after a difficult game often meant more than a pay rise. In business, never underestimate the power of recognition. Acknowledging effort and progress, especially when things are tough, builds loyalty and fuels performance more than any material reward.

Be a Model of What You Expect

World-class leadership starts with example. The best managers didn’t just talk about professionalism, they lived it. They were the first in and the last out. In business, the same rule applies. Don’t just ask for high standards, demonstrate them. Your actions set the tone more than any speech or strategy ever will.

Results aren’t always instant. They demand consistency, confidence and clarity. Stay focused on your goals and lead by example to get the best out of your team.

Have a great weekend and keep getting after it!

Paul