Tell The Truth And Be Gracious: Leadership Lessons From The MLS All-Star Game

The coach of German soccer team Bayern Munich has done a great job with his team, but he made two big blunders in America after his team lost a “friendly” match with the Major League Soccer All-Stars.

Pep Guardiola’s team lost 2-1 Wednesday night, but they played well. The format of the game allowed many substitutes, rather than the standard three subs in league play. Because of scheduling differences, the German team was just beginning its training for the upcoming season, but the MLS players were in the middle of their season.

During the match, Guardiola was angry with some of the challenges of the MLS players, including yellow-card fouls committed by Osvaldo Alonso and Will Johnson. I’ve watched Alonso play a few times, and I watch Johnson every week—I’m a Timbers season ticket holder. Both players deserved to be cautioned, but their challenges were on the mild side compared to what Guardiola would have seen by studying video of these two players during league matches.

After the game Guardiola refused to shake hands with MLS coach Caleb Porter, telling the press later “I didn’t see him.” This foolish statement takes us to the first lesson: “Tell the truth.” Another way of expressing it is “You are always on camera.” Especially at a major sporting event covered by ESPN and attended by 22,000 fans. Video clearly shows Guardiola wagging a finger at Porter, as if to say “Don’t you dare,” as the MLS coach walked over to shake hands. Corporate CEOs and anybody else who might ever be in the news should keep in mind that somebody always has a camera running. You look pretty stupid and dishonest if you try to deny a truth that the whole world can see on YouTube.

At the post-game interview, Guardiola made his second blunder, saying:

“We tried to play, and we were not prepared for the situation. I expect MLS to invite us back for revenge, and we will prepare much better.”

How a top-level coach can go to a game “not prepared” is incomprehensible. Preparation is what guys like Guardiola do all day, every day. But that’s not the major mistake. The big error is expecting to be asked to return for a rematch.

No, Coach, you will not be invited back. Though you are certainly a master of the game, rude people are not invited back. The folks who get invited back are not necessarily the best at what they do, but they are gracious both in victory and defeat.

Disclosure: None.

How did you like this article? Let us know so we can better customize your reading experience.

Comments

Leave a comment to automatically be entered into our contest to win a free Echo Show.