Management isn’t all ticker-tape parades and end-of-year bonuses.
Some days, it feels more like clinging on for dear life. The equivalent of being in the relegation zone, for any football (soccer) fans out there.
Anyone can smile and ride the wave when things are going well.
But real management?
That’s the late-night thinking.
The difficult conversations.
The moment you stay calm when others panic.
The decision to keep standards high even when motivation is low.
That’s when good managers earn their stripes. When they keep showing up.
Because the real job of management and leadership is getting through the rough patches – and helping your people do the same.
Back in January, I was watching a football game from the Premier League. It was Newcastle v Bournemouth. The commentator said, both in reference to how Newcastle were losing in that particular game and how much they’ve struggled over recent years:
👉 “It’s only by enduring the bad times that you can really appreciate the good.”
I wrote it down because I knew I’d come back to it at some point. And here we are. He could have been talking about management, not football.
Newcastle and their fans have endured decades of pain. With no success. And yet … last month they won the League Cup. Their first major trophy in 70 years. Kudos to their fans for hanging in there, for sticking by them through the tough times. How sweet that victory must have tasted.
So if you’re a manager who’s in a rough patch right now, hang in there. Show up. Stay strong. Lead well. Because when the wins come, and the pressure finally lifts …
They’ll mean more than you can possibly imagine.
👇
Struck in a rut? Need to reinvigorate yourself, and your team?
I can help – let’s talk 📞
