Crystal Palace: From Underdogs to Trophy Winners

Hi, 

What can a mid-table football club teach us about leadership, belief, and culture?

Just ask Crystal Palace. A team once known only for survival is now lifting trophies

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Last season, Crystal Palace shocked English football by lifting the FA Cup.

And they’ve already backed it up this year by beating Liverpool to win the Community Shield, their first ever in the club’s history.

For years, Palace were a side associated with survival, not silverware. But now they look like a team transformed, confident, united, and ready to compete with the very best.

So what’s behind their rise? And what can business leaders learn from their success?

1. Belief changes everything

Palace didn’t suddenly discover world-class players overnight.

What changed was belief.

Winning the FA Cup gave the squad proof that they could go toe-to-toe with elite teams and come out on top.

That belief becomes self-fulfilling, once you know you can win, you stop playing just to survive and start playing to achieve.

In business, the same applies. Teams that see themselves only as “good enough” will never reach their full potential.

But when you create small wins, stack them, and show people what they’re capable of, belief spreads, and standards rise with it.

2. Momentum is a powerful asset

Success often comes in waves. Palace didn’t just win the FA Cup and stop there; they carried that energy straight into the new season, beating Liverpool in the Community Shield.

Momentum matters because it compounds. Winning creates confidence and confidence creates more winning.

In business, leaders often overlook momentum. They chase one-off victories instead of building on success.

But if you can recognise when your team has energy and confidence on their side, and keep it rolling, performance can climb to levels nobody expected.

3. Culture beats individual talent

Palace don’t have the budget or the star names of clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, or Arsenal.

What they do have is a culture where every player buys in.

You can see it in their discipline, their resilience, and the way they fight for each other. That unity is worth more than any single superstar.

The same is true in business, a company with average talent but a world-class culture will always outperform one with brilliant individuals who don’t pull in the same direction.

Here’s what I’ll be tracking this season:

→ Can Palace maintain their hunger now that they’ve tasted success? Sustained success demands even greater discipline.

→ Do they continue upsetting the top six? Beating elite teams shows belief has truly shifted.

→ Are their young players stepping up with confidence? Growth from within is always the best sign of a healthy culture.

From underdogs to trophy winners, Palace’s story is proof that mindset and culture can transform an organisation.

And just like in football, in business, it’s rarely the most talented teams that win.

It’s the ones who believe, build momentum, and create a culture where everyone knows they belong.

All the best,

Paul