From near extinction in 1997 to battling for a Champions League spot...
The CEO of Brighton FC shared his principles on building a high-performance environment💡
The incredible timeline of Brighton FC's rise 👇
1997: Avoided relegation from the Football League on the final day.
2011: Moved to the AMEX Stadium, redefining their future.
2017: Promoted to the Premier League after 34 years.
2023: Achieved their highest-ever finish in the Premier League.
2024: Competing for Champions League qualification.
So how do you take a team from survival mode to competing with Europe’s elite?
1️⃣ Establish and communicate a clear vision
↳ "To be a top 10 premier league club consistently."
↳ Communicate it everywhere
↳ Make it aspirational
↳ Shut out the external noise (focus, focus, focus)
2️⃣ Define (& live the values)
↳ Theirs values -> Make it special | Aim high | Treat people well | Act with integrity | Exceed expectations
↳ Harder to live them (focus on this weekly)
3️⃣ Hire the best people possible (on and off the pitch)
↳ Competitors can offer more money so use your USPs
↳ For them: proximity to London + beach lifestyle
4️⃣ Prioritise succession planning
↳ Use a traffic light system to assess engagement
↳ Top 25% of your team - stay close to & create clear progression paths
↳ If red, look at people outside to take over or internal training to move people across
5️⃣ Develop a coherent strategy
↳ People need to believe in "the how" you will achieve 1️⃣
↳ Execute relentlessly for a set timeline
↳ Prepare everyone to adapt and pivot
6️⃣ Build world-class infrastructure
↳ Custom built stadium for women as there are 33 fundamental differences than men's stadium e.g. mens changing rooms only have 3 cubicles for 30+ players and staff
7️⃣ Establish efficient processes
↳ They reduced the no. of doors players touched to reach the changing room to prevent illness or diseases spreading through the squad
8️⃣ Determine clear policies
↳ Make it clear what's expected of them (fans included)
↳ Create clear sanctions if expectations not met
↳ Humans will always push the boundaries based of what’s acceptable to "them"
9️⃣ Engage with stakeholders regularly
↳ Honest and open 90 mins forum with fans
↳ Council could make or break them on gameday
↳ Make them feel important so they don't become a distraction
🔟 Make tough decisions early
↳ People who got you here, might not take you to the next level
↳ Invest ahead of the curve to reach your vision
He revealed 25 principles in total.
But ultimately, he emphasised that you need to win football matches!
That is the same in business.
You need to drive revenues hard and manage your cost base religiously.
If a team that once struggled for survival can now compete on Europe’s biggest stage, imagine what’s possible for YOUR team with the right framework.
Comment "high-performance" if you want a downloadable of all Paul's 25 principles ✅
#EliteTeamTactics #HighPerformance #Culture #Football
