Sarina Wiegman: Leadership, failing, and puffer jackets
Nov 6, 2023
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Sarina Wiegman, England women's football coach, discusses the importance of succeeding at a high level to drive cultural change, the value of empathetic leadership, and the significance of clarity in communication. She shares personal experiences about her childhood motivations, the challenges of leadership in the public eye, and the importance of remaining calm in stressful situations.
A good leader should be empathetic to the individual characters of those they're managing.
Succeeding at a high level provides a platform to drive meaningful cultural change.
Clarity and honesty in communication are key values for effective leadership.
Deep dives
Importance of asking better questions
Serena Vigman emphasizes the importance of asking better and more open questions during conversations. By doing so, the conversation changes, and a deeper connection is formed, leading to a better understanding of the person in front of you.
Serena Vigman's impact on women's football
Serena Vigman is regarded as one of the best coaches in women's football history. Her successful playing career and coaching experiences have had a significant impact on the game. She has led teams to victory and championships, earning recognition and awards for her contributions.
The need for more equality in women's football
Serena Vigman advocates for more equality in women's football. While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go in terms of access, facilities, and overall support for girls and women in the sport. Efforts should be focused on providing opportunities at all levels and involving more women in various roles, including coaching.
Creating a positive and inclusive crowd culture
Women's football games often have a kind and unifying atmosphere, where everyone feels included and focused on enjoying the game together. Serena Vigman acknowledges the need to address issues like racism, abuse, and negative behavior in men's football. The goal is to create a crowd culture in men's football that reflects the friendly and inclusive atmosphere found in women's football.
Keys to successful leadership
According to Serena Vigman, successful leadership requires a clear vision, connecting with people, creating a safe environment, and effective communication. Connecting with individuals and understanding their behavior is crucial for influencing and guiding the team towards success. It also involves fostering a safe space for individuals to be themselves and providing clear direction while being open to feedback.
Sport should unite people; that’s what England women’s football coach Sarina Wiegman believes, and it’s something she achieved when the Lionesses won the Euros in 2022.
In this chat with Fearne, Sarina explains that succeeding at a high level is important because it provides a platform to drive meaningful cultural change. She also talks about why a good leader should be empathetic to the individual characters of those they’re managing, and why clarity – being clear and honest in communication – is a key value of hers.
Sarina’s book, What it Takes: My Playbook on Life and Leadership, is out on the 9th November.