There’s no doubting that the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United FC has stirred huge reaction, predominantly positive.
No-one has earned a retirement more and is held in such high regard.
Looking closely at some of the lessons is useful for the Individual and also to any business.
The bond and expectation held for any member of the Manchester United Staff produced a unique outcome.
The management style was firm but fair and fused a “never say die” approach.
Failure was seen as a way to learn and success was used to illustrate the shared capability.
Many managers in business have failed to understand that their obligations extend to developing, nurturing and encouraging staff to fulfil their potential and recognise the need to perform at their very best within a team.
Sir Alex constantly said “remember the shirt you are wearing and be glad to have the man at the side of you working with you”.
Pride and respect produce an environment that works for everyone.
People of this mindset police themselves and root out any distracting behaviour.
The theme that “Together Everyone Achieves More” becomes a reality.
Anyone who thinks they can achieve alone is doomed to failure.
Nothing can happen without engaging others and those who value others always achieve more.
There are many stories of Sir Alex of how, away from trumpets, he showed acts of kindness and support to others.
Even when exercising discipline his players understood the reasons.
Just as you discipline a child in love, they accept the lesson when you explain the reasons for it.
Yes, its likely Sir Alex is viewed as ruthless by some but if he was consistent in warning the outcomes of bad behaviour, any later actions were at least consistent with his word.
This actually leads to respect and makes people feel secure because it’s a leadership quality in which nothing is taken personally.
It’s said he never held a grudge with staff he disciplined, quickly putting his arm of reassurance around them and setting their aim high because they were in a place of learning that gave them the opportunity to excel in their career.
He knew they had to want the opportunity though.
Fierce loyalty to staff soon resonates as a glue to bind people together.
The business world can be fast and furious and it’s easy to lose sight of others and leave them behind.
Every manager needs to find someone capable of carrying on their role and instil the qualities that have made the Company as good as they are.
You get a sense that Sir Alex fitted the mould of a father figure and his staff was his family.
It’s been a remarkable achievement where he never courted the media.
He believed in strong values of pulling together and sharing ups and downs but staying strong.
There are few managers in life that can create such widespread affection when retiring.
The truth is he is described as “unique and never to come again”....but if he is, the rest of us are failing in the leadership we are setting.
Will people care if we leave?
If so, we never made your mark and likely everything we did will now change.
Looking at ourselves honestly in a mirror can be deceiving.
We may not see what others see!
However successful we see ourselves the best measurement is how we developed and supported the talents of others.
That way, at least we leave something of value behind when we move on.
It’s a hugely rewarding feeling we can have pride in.
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