Luke Cooke’s Post

Humble Pie Never Tasted So Sweet - A Lesson in Leadership and Unity 🥧🎉 Let’s take a moment to celebrate Gareth Southgate and the incredible journey of the England football team. Beating the Netherlands to secure a spot in the European Championship final against Spain is no small feat, and it marks England’s first final outside of its home turf. Southgate, often the target of critics, has proven his mettle as the most successful England manager in history. ⚽🏆 Sticking to the Plan and Leading with Unity One thing that stands out to me in this journey is how Southgate has managed to keep the players focused on the mission. Despite the noise from critics and doubters, the team has shown remarkable unity. Even those players who haven’t seen much game time have remained supportive and committed. Southgate isn’t just managing a squad; he’s managing a backroom staff and an entire nation’s expectations. 🇬🇧🙌 Success isn’t just about tactics or talent. It’s about sticking to a plan, maintaining focus, and fostering a sense of togetherness. Southgate has shown us that authentic leadership means guiding your team through adversity, not getting sidetracked by outside noise, and staying committed to the mission. 🚀💪 England has undoubtedly ridden their luck at times, but this journey also highlights the power of gratitude, humility, and manifesting what you truly believe in. Amazing things can happen when you combine hard work with a positive mindset. 🌟🙏 So, here’s to Gareth Southgate, the players, and everyone on this journey. It’s a powerful reminder that unity and commitment to the mission can overcome any obstacle in any organisation. And to all the doubters, it looks like it’s time to enjoy some humble pie! 🥧😋 I’ve heard a little rumour that Southgate might be the next Man United manager. Cue the critics! 🔥👀 Remember, whether on the pitch or in the office, stick to the plan, support each other, and don’t let the critics distract you. Success will follow. 💼👏 Stay focused, stay united, and celebrate this incredible achievement together! 🎉🔥 1 more to go!!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇪🇸 #Comeonengland #Resilience #Gratitude #Focus #Humility #Euros2024

The Emotional Toll of Leadership: Gareth Southgate's Journey to the Final Having watched Gareth Southgate’s interview after England’s 2-1 win over Holland, I can't help but feel immense sympathy for him. Observing his body language, the sheer relief of reaching the final was palpable. After facing heavy criticism and ridicule throughout the tournament, you could see the weight of the pressure and anxiety lift from his shoulders at that moment. Regardless of the outcome in the final, the immense pressure of being England’s manager has undeniably taken a toll on his overall well-being. It's not surprising that he might consider stepping down from the role after this intense journey. Kudos to Gareth Southgate and the England team for reaching the Euros final, despite not being considered the best team in the tournament. It's a one-off game now, and anything can happen. They'll go into the game with confidence, potentially more relaxed, and ready to play to their full potential. Question: How do pressures and emotions impact Gareth Southgate's personal life, and what effects can such intense scrutiny have on his overall well-being? #Southgate #EnglandManager #Euros2024 #MentalHealth #LeadershipStress #FinalsPressure #EnglandvsHolland #Football #GarethSouthgate #TeamEngland #football #eurosfinals #mentaltoughness #UEFA #FIFA #leadership #EnglandManager #Euros2024 #MentalHealthMatters #LeadershipStress #FinalPressure #EnglandvsHolland #Football #EmotionalToll #Wellbeing #SportPsychology #FinalCountdown #CourageUnderFire #ManagerialChallenges #SupportSouthgate

Southgate, best manager England ever had, never makes a bad decision, genius, said it all along!!! 😁 Messaged a friend of mine in jest after Saturday's penalty victory where we'd both been swearing at the TV. Maybe you were too?? But this video helps me understand a little about what is actually happening to this team... "I gave him a massive cuddle on the pitch." Said Southgate about Saka in his post match interview on Saturday. "He's a special boy, he's a dream to work with, wonderful family." I love the care and affection that's so clear from the manager here. Whatever you think about Gareth, Whatever happens in the next game (or two!).. These are the words of a leader that cares about his people. And a team that has a unity, belief and brotherhood that feels palpable, genuine...and different. The question is are these the qualities of elite leadership that drives success? With 3 semi-finals and a final in the last 5 tournaments, and a 3 from 4 penalties record..I'd say so. I'd say this is two games away from being seen as a masterclass in team building and leadership. I'll happily give Southgate the credit for this aspect of his work right now! But what about you? Is Southgate a leadership and team building genius or just an over-sharer that should have brought the subs on earlier ? 😂 😃 And have I just cursed our chances of lifting the trophy!!! 😅 Comment below with your thoughts. Xx PS Please give this a re-post if it's useful for your network. Source: Talksport | Youtube #southgate #england #football #leadership

The All Ireland Hurling final live on bbc2 at 3pm today https://lnkd.in/eNEBBpWx between Cork (The Rebels) and Clare (The Banner) in front of 82,500 and a worldwide audience isn't just Irelands' premier sporting event; it's a masterclass in skills, team cohesion, intensity, and pure joy. These athletes seize every opportunity on the field, demonstrating qualities that are essential in the workplace. Similarly, in our professional lives, using tools like the DiSC assessment can help us identify and develop these critical traits. Whether you're a leader guiding your team, a team player contributing to a collective goal, or an individual striving for personal excellence, understanding your DiSC profile can make all the difference. Just like todays' all ireland hurling champions, we can: Leverage our strengths: Know what we're good at and use it to our advantage. Foster teamwork: Understand others' styles and work cohesively. Maintain intensity: Stay focused and driven towards our goals. Find joy in our work: Celebrate small wins and stay passionate about what we do. Let's channel the spirit of today's game into our work and ensure we're not just participants, but champions in our respective fields. 🏑🏆 https://lnkd.in/ep9QnFjP #CorkVsClare #DiSC #Teamwork #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment

It may be an odd day to write about the England men's football team and success, but despite coming second (again), the England men’s football team's accomplishment in the last two Euro tournaments has been remarkable. The England team has only been in a major tournament final three times: once in 1966 and the other two times have been the last two Euros. This was the first time they had ever made a final outside England. So what has led to this comparatively great performance? Much of this resurgence can be attributed to Gareth Southgate's leadership and his unwavering focus on cultivating a positive and inclusive team culture. He underscored a shift from solely focusing on technical prowess to the holistic development of players as individuals and team members. Southgate’s approach has fostered a sense of intimacy and collective purpose among the players. By prioritising respect, humility, and a strong work ethic, he has created an environment where talent thrives, and the team’s spirit is palpable. The results in these big tournaments are a testament to this cultural transformation. The team’s unity, resilience, and ability to perform under pressure have been evident in their style of play, which has won so many naysayers over. Southgate’s leadership has proven that success is not solely about tactics and strategy but also about building a team grounded in strong values and mutual respect. Everything we see when working with nXus People clients confirms that this type of focus on culture and leadership is the difference between doing well and leading the pack, yet this element is so often neglected. Strategy documents, technical training, and processes are too often the focus of effort. So, what should be done differently? Sure, organisations need to have a good strategy delivered by people with the skills to do so, but we strongly encourage organisations to put leadership and culture at the top of the list of things to get right. It’s not easy, but England has shown that with the right investment and the right mindset, it can be done, and it will pay huge dividends. If improving culture and leadership is important to you, we can help. #collaboration #teameffectiveness #leadershipdevelopment https://lnkd.in/g8Vi6niF

What will Southgate's legacy be? If we don't beat Spain on Sunday, some people will argue his legacy is a failure—England's nearly man. But for me, that would miss the point. Here's a quote I found recently by Suzanne Bates, CEO of Bates Communications in Boston, USA: "Legacy is defined not only by the accomplishments and vision you leave behind but also by how you conduct yourself as a leader and daily decisions. If you do the right thing when no one is looking, you build a track record and people trust you. Leaders need to understand that who you are as a person defines who you are as a leader." Even if we lose on Sunday, Southgate's conduct as leader of the English team has been exceptional – something I believe will become more apparent as time goes on. How Southgate has crafted the culture of English football, managed his players, handled the media and taken this England team forward has been remarkable. He's brought about a seismic shift since the Iceland debacle at the 2016 Euros. How has he built such a culture? I'd speculate he's done it by spreading a 'growth mindset' throughout the England set-up. The idea of a 'growth mindset' is a fascinating topic that's been around for a while in education, business and latterly sports psychology. It's about having the desire to learn, embracing challenges, being persistent in the face of setbacks, learning from criticism, and being inspired by the successes of others. It feels like that's precisely what's happened within that England group over the last few years, and it's been brought about by Southgate and his team. So, no matter what happens on Sunday, Southgate's legacy is, for me, assured. And I'll absolutely love it if he goes out on the ultimate high – he and his team deserve it. #weareband #euros #southgate #legacy #culture BAND

You don't know what you'll find around the corner. We travelled up to Manchester for the Super League Grand Final over the weekend. Whilst on a lunch time stroll we spotted Willie Peters, boss of one of the finalists, Hull KR. Looking a bit further just over his shoulder I saw that he's with a few current and recent past greats of the game (too many to name). This included the biggest name in the sport at the moment, 4 time NRL championship winner Nathan Cleary. I'm not one to idolise sports personalities, but what Willie and Nathan have done in their respective careers over the last few years has been outstanding. They've both managed to build on what was already there through work rate, high standards, and ingenuity. I also think that they see things from a different perspective to others in their field. This is something that at times has helped me and others I've worked with. Whether it's moving to Australia or Europe to try something new, or staying with your current employer and pushing for a new path. As well as doing the basics of working hard and maintaining high standards, you may benefit from taking a step back and asking if there is another way to look at a problem or your career path. Often there is no need to change what you're doing. But at times you will benefit greatly by asking what may be around the corner if a new path is taken. #uptherobins #superleague #movetoaustralia

Why can’t the best England team in years win a final? On paper, this is indeed the most exciting England team in a generation. We were even made favourite for the Euros by the bookies, but unfortunately Southgate is tactically inept ….That is the simple truth. Once again, his very predictable starting 11 tactical choices failed him. We replicated the improved semi-final play, we pressed, but Jude Bellingham looked isolated for extended periods. An unfit Harry Kane at centre-forward was slow and ineffectual AGAIN. The Spain manager noted all of this, he also recognised we had another player who was not match-fit at left back with Luke Shaw. We ‘luckily’ won our way to the final because of the ‘reluctant’ use of substitutes by the manager which provided the necessary balance and attacking edge. Yet once again, ONLY in the final 20 minutes, when Ollie Watkins and Cole palmer came on did England find a dangerous attacking formation. They should have started the game, anyone that understands football knew this, that is everyone apart from Southgate … unlike his Spain counterpart. Instead, England have had to rely on fleeting moments of inspiration from its superstars, but Spain had a system and a highly competent manager to make effective use of such. So another lost final. But I truly believe the best for England is yet to come 🙏🏼, unfortunately that will never happen with Southgate as manager. …..Adiós Gareth. #success #winners #tactics #inspiration #innovation #management

It really is bizarre, upon reflection, just how much of an achievement some successes in life have been, when you revisit them months or even perhaps years later. On 18th May this year, Hamilton Academical Football Club Limited secured promotion from Scottish Professional Football League 1 back to the William Hill Championship at the first time of asking - a feat only ever managed by three other Clubs: - Airdrieonians FC (2012/13) - Raith Rovers Football Club (2009/10) - Queen of the South Football Club Limited (2008/09) That fine summers day at Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club will live with me, forever. Eventually, you will always see who was really with you, who is actually on your journey with you; and who is genuinely happy for your success. 😊 Proper rebuilds of the magnitude that we undertook at Hamilton Academical Football Club Limited in League 1 require a real solid foundation, and thankfully, this is something that our Club owner was prepared to invest in and be committed to from Day 1. Almost every role or Department requiring to be enhanced or upgraded within the Club has been since the new owner took over, affording us a platform to continue with our growth and progression towards the new vision. We thankfully have so many good, quality people around us, working to achieve a shared common goal. 🙏🏼 As the old saying goes, “Rome wasn’t built in a Day”…. But if anyone has ever been to Rome, then they’ll know that it’s been built on solid ground and the best of foundations. There will be blips along the way….. but it’s reassuring to know that we’re all with and behind each other on this new, exciting journey. 💫 #Success #Vision #NewEra #BigDecisions #Change #Awareness #Development #Growth #Football Seref Zengin Hamilton Academical Football Club Limited Gerry Strain Darian Mackinnon Shaun Fagan John Rankin Caitlin Wright Euan Taylor Declan McKean

Now that the European Championships have concluded and Gareth Southgate has completed his eight-year tenure as England Manager, public opinion seems divided on his success. If we likened this to a business, eight years ago it might have been said to be on the verge of bankruptcy with poor results, demotivated staff, and significant underperformance. Since Gareth's appointment, he has statistically revitalised the team, which no longer operates in isolated groups, akin to a business's workforce. However, the customers (England supporters) harbour mixed feelings about his tenure, despite him being the most successful manager in nearly six decades. If these customers were to rate the team(company) on Google, it's uncertain how many would award five stars. Many business coaches believe in winning or learning. It could be argued that Southgate's cautious approach at Euro 2020 indicates he hasn't learned, continuing with a defensive strategy and a mindset more fearful of losing than eager to win. Having worked with numerous business owners and managing directors, I've observed that taking risks is often necessary for progression rather than remaining static. It will be intriguing to see who succeeds him and their chosen strategy. Are you pro or against Southgate during his term as England manager?