What else beats talent?

We have read so many times about hard work beating talent, so I won’t bore you with this. What I have been thinking about over the last 24 hours is what else beats talent?

These thoughts were provoked by my attending yesterday’s Euro2020 semi-final featuring the magnificent teams from Italy and Spain. Given the amount of talent both teams possess, the question I voiced above is not about talent vs some other factor, but instead what else you need to have in addition in order to come out as the winner. Talent alone is not enough in highly competitive environments (I am sure many of you operate in such a context).

The first thing that comes to mind when looking at yesterday’s winner is a clear and well-defined strategy: Italy know exactly what they want and how to get there. This strategy normally works best when there is a an organisational system and well-structured processes that enable the implementation of the former. I have no doubt that every person reading this post has witnessed at least once (but most probably many times) a great strategy buried by the lack of tangible, consistent and purposeful actions and support mechanisms.

Clearly the Italy’s head coach was able to deliver both elements. He took over a team that, you might remember, failed to even qualify for the 2018 World Cup and has now led them to the final of the very next major tournament. And this brings us to the third element — leadership. One that caters for both minds (providing strategy, system and structure) and hearts, giving vision and inspiration.

This trinity also well applies to the progress achieved by the English football team, truly led and inspired by its coach Gareth Southgate. It is now not long left to see whether football is coming home or to Rome. I am very excited. Are you?