March 2025

• tonydorigo
• Blog
• March 17, 2025

The Power of The Assist

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁 – 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗲𝘁

In football, we often celebrate the goalscorers, but the beauty of the assist is equally vital to success.

Manchester City, under Pep Guardiola, has mastered this art, creating a system where every player becomes a potential creator for their teammates.

The assist mentality transforms individual brilliance into collective achievement. When Kevin De Bruyne delivers the perfect through ball or Bernardo Silva creates space for others, they demonstrate that success is built on mutual support and understanding.

This philosophy extends beyond the pitch. In business environments, the same principles apply – supporting colleagues and creating opportunities for others often leads to greater overall success than individual achievements.

To foster this collaborative culture, organizations need to implement specific practices:

· Recognize and reward collaborative achievements
· Create opportunities for cross-departmental projects
· Establish mentoring programs
· Encourage knowledge-sharing sessions
· Develop clear communication channels

The results of this approach are evident in football and business. Teams that master the art of the assist often outperform those that rely on individual brilliance. Look at Leeds United, the team of last season (Summerville, Rutter), compared to this season’s team, demonstrates how this philosophy translates into sustained success.

However, building this culture requires commitment and consistency. Leaders must actively promote and demonstrate these values, just as Guardiola and Farke have done with their teams.

It’s about creating an environment where supporting others becomes second nature.

The assist mentality needs to be embedded in organizational DNA. When team members naturally look for ways to support each other, productivity increases, innovation flourishes, and workplace satisfaction improves.

So, how are you implementing the assist mentality in your organization? Are you creating an environment where collaboration thrives and success is truly shared? Who’s your Kevin De Bruyne?

#𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 #𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 #𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

• tonydorigo
• Blog
• March 14, 2025

Building Your Dream Team

𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 – 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬

Just as every successful football team needs different types of players to excel, businesses must carefully construct their teams with diverse talents and complementary skills to achieve their objectives.

The key to building a high-performing team lies in understanding that each role requires specific expertise.

In football, strikers focus on scoring goals, midfielders control the game’s tempo, and defenders protect against threats.

Similarly, your business needs individuals who can drive sales, manage operations, and safeguard the company’s interests.

Essential components for building your dream team:

• Development opportunities: Invest in training to enhance skills and adaptability
• Clear role definition: Ensure each team member understands their responsibilities
• Strategic recruitment: Identify gaps in your team’s capabilities and recruit accordingly
• Performance metrics: Set measurable goals for individuals and the collective team

The most successful teams maintain open communication channels and foster trust between members. This creates an environment where healthy competition drives improvement rather than division. Regular team meetings, feedback sessions, and collaborative projects help strengthen these bonds.

Remember to balance your team composition. Too many leaders can create conflict, while too many followers might lack direction.

The right mix of experience levels is also crucial – seasoned professionals can mentor newer team members, creating a sustainable talent pipeline.

Start building your dream team today by assessing your current structure, identifying gaps, and developing a strategic recruitment plan. Success comes from having the right people in the right positions who work together toward common goals.

Undoubtedly, the 1970 Brazil side is in the running for the football “Dream Team.” But what about Business?

#𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 #𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 #𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 #𝐃𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦

• tonydorigo
• Blog
• March 10, 2025

Your Business Legacy

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆: 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁

When I think about legacy, I think about Don Revie’s era at Leeds United; it wasn’t just about the trophies – it was about creating a culture, a philosophy, and a foundation that would impact generations to come.

As someone who later played for the club, I experienced firsthand how his influence extended far beyond his time there.

Building a lasting business legacy requires more than focusing on immediate success or financial gains.

It’s about establishing values that stand the test of time, developing people who carry forward your vision, and creating systems that continue to function long after you’ve moved on.

Don Revie transformed Leeds United from a struggling Second Division club into one of England’s most formidable teams, as Howard Wilkinson did two decades later.

But his real legacy was revolutionising professional football management—from detailed dossiers on opponents to focus on players’ welfare off the pitch to tops with names on the back—the list goes on.

Your business legacy should reflect similar principles. It should be about nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and building sustainable practices that benefit your organisation and the wider community.

The true measure isn’t in quarterly reports or annual profits but in your lasting impact on people’s lives and careers.

It’s about making decisions that may not yield immediate rewards but will withstand scrutiny in the years to come.

What steps are you taking today to build your business legacy? Are you focused solely on short-term gains, or are you investing in the future?

Your legacy is written daily through your actions and decisions – make them count.

#𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐋𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐜𝐲 #𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 #𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐬 #𝐋𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬

• tonydorigo
• Blog
• March 7, 2025

The Manager’s Playbook

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗼𝘄

“The only moment of possible happiness is the present. The past gives regrets. And future uncertainties.” – Arsène Wenger

Throughout my career, I have worked closely with various managers and seen firsthand how concentrating on the present moment can enhance team performance and organisational success.

Leaders must balance immediate priorities in today’s fast-paced business environment while maintaining a strategic vision. Like new football managers, they must improve immediate results while developing a style to achieve longer-term success.

This requires developing systems that keep teams engaged with current objectives while building capabilities for future challenges.

The most effective leaders I’ve observed maintain this present focus through:

• Daily team briefings that address immediate challenges
• Regular performance reviews focused on current objectives
• Flexible resource allocation based on immediate needs
• Open communication channels for quick problem-solving
• Continuous skills development aligned with present demands

However, this approach doesn’t mean ignoring the future. Instead, it’s about understanding that future success is built on present actions.

The key is finding the right balance between immediate action and future planning, a hugely complex challenge that Ruben Amorim, the Manchester United Manager, has undertaken.

Too much focus on the future can paralyze present decision-making while ignoring it altogether leaves organizations vulnerable to change.

Are you maximizing your organization’s present potential while building for tomorrow? How does your leadership approach balance these critical elements?

#𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 #𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 #𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬

• tonydorigo
• Blog
• March 5, 2025

Academy Footballers

𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀: 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲

Last week, I was delighted to be invited to speak to the Harrogate Town Academy players, who are looked after by my former Chelsea teammate Kevin Wilson.

I relayed my personal story, including the ups and downs and essential lessons learnt along the way.

For young academy footballers, the journey to professional football represents one of life’s most challenging crossroads.

With thousands of talented players in academies worldwide, the statistics regarding success rates are sobering: Only 4% of players in a Premier League Academy and fewer than 1% overall become professional footballers. Consequently, it is essential to understand the various pathways that are available.

𝟭. 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘂𝗽 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻
Many successful academies now emphasize dual career pathways, combining football development with academic studies. This approach ensures players have alternatives if professional football doesn’t materialize.

𝟮. 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀
Lower leagues, foreign leagues, and semi-professional football offer viable routes into the professional game. Many players have successfully rebuilt their careers through these channels.

𝟯. 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀-𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀
The football industry offers numerous career opportunities beyond playing: coaching, sports science, physiotherapy, and performance analysis are increasingly popular choices for former academy players.

𝟰. 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁
Professional clubs now recognize the importance of psychological support during these transitional periods, helping young players cope with both success and setbacks.

However, the skills developed during the academy years—discipline, teamwork, and resilience—are valuable in any career path.

I wish them well in their future careers, whether in professional football or in the business workplace.

#𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 #𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 #𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥

• tonydorigo
• Blog
• March 3, 2025

Turning a Teams Fortunes

𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺’𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗲𝘀 – 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹

Last night, I commentated for TNT Sports on AC Milan vs Lazio – Milan lost at home 2-1, and the lack of confidence was there for all to see.

Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed numerous teams facing confidence crises, both in football and business.

The principles of rebuilding team spirit and performance remain remarkably similar across both domains.

When confidence is low, the first step is always to return to fundamentals.

In football, this means focusing on basic passing, movement, and positioning. In business, it’s about revisiting core processes and key performance indicators.

During challenging periods, whether at Leeds United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, or with the England national team, we would dedicate entire sessions to these basics, rebuilding our foundation step by step.

The role of leadership becomes crucial during these times. Just as a manager and captain must maintain composure under pressure, business leaders must demonstrate unwavering belief in their team’s abilities.

Small wins become essential – in football, this might mean celebrating clean sheets, even for 45 minutes, before focusing on scoring; in business, it could be acknowledging small improvements in customer satisfaction before targeting larger goals.

Communication patterns need adjustment during low-confidence periods. At Leeds, our manager, Howard Wilkinson, would break down complex tactical instructions into smaller, achievable tasks.

Similarly, business leaders should simplify objectives, making them more digestible and less overwhelming for their teams.

Team selection also plays a vital role. Sometimes, introducing fresh faces – whether new signings in football or new team members in business – can inject energy and optimism. However, experience shows that maintaining a core group of reliable performers helps stabilize the team during turbulent times.

The training ground atmosphere, like the office environment, needs careful management. We found that mixing intense, focused sessions with lighter, team-building activities helped maintain morale while improving performance. Ok, maybe our team-building activities went a little too far….! 🙂

This balance between serious work and positive energy is equally vital in a business context.

What’s your strategy for rebuilding confidence in your team?

#𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 #𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 #𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞