The psychology of the World Cup

To the disappointment of their fans, since they won the world Cup way back in 1966, England’s World Cup performance has been dismal. Now English fans are daring to hope as the team is far more impressive and moves in to a quarter final to be played midnight Saturday EST.

Observers around the world have been impressed by the team and believe much of it may be due to an excellent team manager. My colleague, and negotiation expert Derek Arden, shares this belief too and has this to say in his current newsletter.

“Even if you are not a sports fan it is difficult not to acknowledge the interest in England’s achievements so far in the world cup. The result against Columbia was a milestone, in that we won a “penalty shoot-out” competition.

In any situation it’s always worth asking, what is the difference that makes the difference? Here are three of my thoughts.

1 – Gareth Southgate, the England team manager, missed a penalty himself for England in a “shoot-out” in 1996. He knows exactly what it feels like to be in that position, with a TV audience of over one billion people watching you.

2 – Southgate has employed a psychologist to work directly with him, and then afterwards work with the team, Dr Pippa Grange. As opposed to the previous England psychologist Steve Peters, who was only available if the players wanted to see him.

3 – Southgate looks smart, composed and in control on the touchline and when he is being interviewed by the aggressive media. For a young manager he carries status and authority. As we know first impressions are vital. Amusingly he wears a waistcoat and waistcoat sales have rocketed this week in the UK. Gareth Southgate best dressed man

Finally, he has spent a great deal of time working on the TEAM ethic with this young group of players. TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More).”