164 - Greame Mathie - The best performing environments I have been in have an edge!

Greame Mathie is the Managing Director of Ayr United and formally worked for Hibernian and Celtic.

Introduction and Overview of Managing Director's Role - 1:31

Michael and Graeme discuss the balance between on-pitch performance and off-pitch factors such as fan engagement and business operations. Graeme emphasizes the importance of team performance in driving revenue and fan engagement, but also acknowledges the need to focus on other aspects of the business when the team is not performing well.

Building a Vision for the Football Club - 6:55

Graeme Mathie shares his experience of working with the owner of a football club to build a sustainable and successful organization. He talks about the challenges of recruiting a manager without a clear vision or job description in place. Michael Wright asks about the process of getting everyone on board with the club's values and vision.

Establishing Core Values and Accountability - 11:24

Graeme Mathie explains how they established core values for the club, including unity, and how they involved staff in the process. Michael Wright asks about accountability and how to ensure that the values are being lived out, and Graeme shares some challenges they have faced in this area, including the need for conflict and the difficulty of getting everyone on board.

Importance of High Challenge and Honest Relationships in Leadership - 18:38

Graeme Mathie and Michael Wright discuss the challenges of leadership in the sports industry, including high turnover rates and the pressure to make every decision count. They highlight the importance of building honest relationships and embracing high challenge, as well as holding each other accountable for taking action to improve.

Developing a Culture of Innovation and Accountability - 26:36

Graeme Mathie shares his vision for the club, drawing inspiration from successful English Premier League teams like Brighton and Brentford. He discusses the need to outthink, outwork, and make better use of resources than other clubs at their level. Mathie also emphasizes the importance of player development plans and creating a positive team environment.

Recruitment Process and Soft Skills in Sports Industry - 34:35

Graeme Mathie and Michael Wright discuss the importance of understanding the psychology and relationships of coaches and players in the sports industry. They also talk about the need for a plan to bring in the right people to build the right dynamic for the team to flourish.

Graeme Mathie and Michael Wright discuss the recruitment process for football managers, including the importance of identifying key performance indicators and personal characteristics. They also touch on the challenges of considering fan engagement and creating a narrative around the hiring process. - 42:00

Graeme Mathie on Leadership and Self-Reflection - 53:15

Michael Wright interviews Graeme Mathie about his leadership style and how he is perceived by his colleagues. Mathie hopes to be seen as a collaborative leader with good ideas and honesty, but recognizes that he may also be seen as high energy and asking too many questions. The conversation also touches on the changing nature of work environments and the importance of self-reflection.

Discussion on the Importance of Winning Games and Style of Football 56::24

Graeme Mathie shares his thoughts on the importance of winning games and the style of football played by a team. He suggests that managers should communicate their priorities to their employers and focus on generating revenue from player trades if they want to bring through young players and play a certain style of football. Michael Wright agrees with Graeme's points.

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