3 Leadership Lessons from Gareth Southgate

As Gareth Southgate’s tenure as manager of the England Men’s Team comes to an end, I first must start by commending him on a truly outstanding job. Gareth has his naysayers, and they have increased in volume during this tournament especially, but his record speaks for itself.

In a results-based business, Southgate’s results do a large amount of talking.

And in my opinion, it has little to do with Gareth’s tactical genius or footballing knowledge. Instead, it is much to do with his leadership style.

In a country with the biggest league in the world, where football is the number one, most played, national sport – we will always be able to send 11 good players on the field, capable of beating anyone in the world ‘pound for pound’ on their day.

But (and it’s a big but), since 1966 this has not happened – on a consistent basis.

Gareth Southgate has transformed an underperforming team and in doing so, I am reminded of 3 quotes from leadership experts I hold in high regard.

Meredith Belbin | “Nobody is perfect – but a team can be”

England is a team which has always been rich in talent – a look back at the 2000s ‘Golden Generation’ shows that all too clearly – however, playing and thinking as one team has not always been the case.

Gareth Southgate has successfully fostered a strong team culture within the England national football team through several key approaches. His leadership is characterised by empathy, inclusivity, and a deep understanding of his players' needs.

Southgate prioritises open communication, ensuring every player feels heard and valued. He has put emphasis on the importance of mental health and well-being and worked towards cultivating a sense of unity and mutual respect among the squad.

It is also an approach which has broken down club-based ‘cliques’ which have been documented as previously existing within England camps, and have a group of 26 (not just the starting 11) working and operating together as a team,

Steve Jobs | “We hire smart people so they can tell us what to do”

During the selection for this tournament especially, we have seen Southgate promote a meritocratic culture rewarding form and performance. This has resulted in some bold selection choices based on current form rather than reputation.

It has lead to a squad selection widely praised and heralded as one of the most talented squads in the world.

Southgate isn’t a Guardiola or Klopp when it comes to tactical nous – he doesn’t tell players what to do in minute detail. Instead, what he has done is created the conditions for success. To create a platform for gifted and hardworking players to produce their best out on the pitch.

Last minute overhead kicks. 5 penalties out of 5. These types of outcomes have come as a result of Gareth creating the right environment, within which a group of outstanding players can thrive on the biggest stage.

In previous tournaments, Southgate has spoken about the opportunity for his teams to write their own stories; to not be bound by the narrative of previous England Men’s sides. It is this type of leadership which creates an environment which is telling players: you are some of the best in the world, go out and show it.

Brené Brown | "To feel this vulnerable means I'm alive."

Embracing vulnerability is essential for effective leadership, as illustrated by both Brené Brown's research and Gareth Southgate's management of the England football team. Southgate has cultivated an environment where players feel safe to express their emotions, take risks, and learn from mistakes. This openness aligns with Brown's idea that vulnerability fosters connection, creativity, and resilience.

Southgate’s leadership style emphasises trust and authenticity, and also as a former player with his own highs and lows (most notably his missed penalty at Euro 1996) he can humanise himself in the eyes of his players and acknowledge his past failures. This is an approach which helps players feel valued and understood, encouraging them to perform at their best without fear of harsh judgment.

The England team has faced significant challenges, but Southgate's focus on continuous improvement and emotional support has led to remarkable progress and success. His willingness to embrace vulnerability and encourage his players to do the same has transformed the team’s culture, fostering resilience and unity.

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Who knows what the future holds for Southgate, whether that be in football management or elsewhere. Regardless, while he may not have landed that major trophy, he has transformed what it means to be an England player and his will be a leadership legacy which stands the test of time.