Introduction
Hockey is India’s national sport; however, it is way behind cricket in terms of popularity. But, after defeating Germany at the Tokyo Olympics on 5th August 2021, the Indian men’s hockey team won the bronze medal and proved their mettle. The best part – this is India’s first Olympic hockey medal since the squad won gold in 1980.
The man behind the success of the Indian Hockey Team
Indian Men Hockey Coach, Graham Reid
Indian men’s hockey team rewrote history as it claimed an Olympic medal after 41 years. The man of the hour was Graham Reid, a 57-year-old former Australian Hockey player and now coach of the Indian Hockey Team. According to PTI, Reid mentioned that he was privileged to be a part of Hockey’s resurrection in India and discussed the team’s approach during the game. Some of his mantras can be adopted by corporate leaders and management gurus. Here are the three leadership lessons we can learn from the Indian Hockey Coach, Graham Reid:
Visionary Leadership
“You have to dare to lose to be able to win,” Reid commented on India’s attacking performance against Germany in the bronze play-off, despite falling behind 3-1 at one point. “You have to put some risks out there. You have to be aggressive,” he added.
Reid stated in a video published by ESPN that during their final match training, he had also shown them a photograph of the Bronze medal and asked them to picture it around their necks. And then to remind themselves of what they needed to do to make that vision a reality.
Leaders like Reid inspire morale, enthusiasm, and commitment. They remind everyone of the big picture and encourage them to go above and beyond mind barriers. Successful leaders have a secret trait of sharing their vision and inspiring people to achieve the same.
Communication is Key
Leadership comes with a lot of responsibility, and it is necessary to use it wisely. Reid explained, as a coach, you come up with ideas and craft them at halftime, saying, ‘Ok, that sounds really good.’ Then you ask the guys, ‘What did I say at halftime, and they have no idea.”
Players are more likely to remember clear-cut instructions, according to Reid than dramatic speeches or wordplay. Leaders should use words and expressions that are appropriate for the situation.
Staying Determined and Persistent
Coach Reid believes that no matter what failures you face, you must remember that you have something no one else has, and that is why you can overcome anything. Getting discouraged is not an option. A leader needs to show confidence in his team.
Reid asked the players to believe in themselves and their hard work during the match rather than worrying about losing. Similarly, no matter what life throws at you, it is important to stay focused. Nothing can stop a person from reaching their goals once they have made up their mind.
Wrapping up
The former Australian Hockey player took lessons from his past to motivate the Indian players during the Tokyo Olympics. Reid said it was easy to boost the Indian Hockey players, given their dedication to the game. He has instilled a winning mindset in the Indian team through his TCUP (Thinking Clearly Under Pressure) strategy and efforts.
Hockey is a team game, and we shouldn’t praise only those who scored goals. We should appreciate each player as they gave their best for the team to achieve its goal. Similarly, in the organization, leaders lead, and the employees follow them to attain organizational objectives.
Do you also feel motivated and want to work on your leadership skills as well? The Future Leaders Programme offered by the National University of Singapore, in collaboration with Great Learning, equips you to understand how people behave in a team. It teaches you the golden rules (these are universal) of what to do, what not to do, and how to deal with people-centric challenges. Don’t wait anymore, and start your application process NOW!
