Chasing the goal
A tale of startups advisors and kids’ soccer teams coaches.
I have recently started coaching my son’s (8) soccer team. I figured since I have to take him to the practice sessions and games anyway, I might as well do something more active than sitting on the sidelines. I thought I just needed to be wary of 2 things:
The dual nature of “coach Dad” can be a challenging concept to grasp for an 8-year-old.
Argentinian football spectators are a rowdy crowd. Argentinian parents watching their kids play, doubly so.
But…what does this have to do with ProductizeHR…? Bear with me, I am almost there. But I must warn you, the path is dotted with a slew of punny Dad jokes about soccer.
Note: The following article does not intend to infantilize employees, belittle the challenges of entrepreneurship, or disregard the importance of stakeholders. It is just a humorous attempt to draw some parallels between one of the most important jobs out there…and advising startups. 😉
⚽ Finding the similarities
Have you ever found yourself on the sidelines, coaching a team of young soccer enthusiasts, and thought, "This feels a lot like advising a startup"? No? Well, bear with me, because the similarities might just surprise you. Coaching a kid's soccer team can teach you valuable lessons that are not too different from what it takes to guide a startup to success.
📢 Joke Alert:
Q: Why did the chicken get ejected from the soccer game?
A: For persistent fowl play.
⚽ Nobody Has Clarity, and It's a Bit Like Herding Cats
Picture this: a group of energetic kids chasing a soccer ball in all directions, akin to startups navigating a constantly evolving business landscape. In both scenarios, clarity can be as elusive as a unicorn in the wild. Nobody really knows how to play the game or what the rules are. It's a bit like herding cats, except these "cats" have shin guards and tiny soccer shoes. And most of them don’t bite or scratch.
📢 Joke Alert:
Q: Why can't Cinderella play soccer?
A: Because she's always running away from the ball.
⚽ Teamwork Makes the Dream Work, but It's a Work in Progress
Teamwork is the name of the game, but it can be incipient at best. In kids’ soccer, you witness players inadvertently passing the ball to the opposing team, much like startups grappling with communication breakdowns, and product mishaps. The key is to foster a sense of unity and shared purpose, whether it's on the field or in the office.
📢 Joke Alert:
Q: Why did the American soccer player use his hands?
A: He was tired of de-feat.
⚽ The Mystery of Positions and the Pressure from the Sidelines
In both coaching a soccer team and advising a startup, there's often a sense of bewilderment regarding roles. In soccer, you'll have kids who switch from striker to goalkeeper mid-game. Similarly, startups may find themselves juggling roles as they adapt to new challenges. And let's not forget the external stakeholders – in soccer, it's the parents on the sidelines, while in startups, it's investors and shareholders. They can all put on quite a show.
📢 Joke Alert:
Q: How do baseball players stay cool?
A: They sit next to the fans.
⚽ Your Experience Is Gold, But Every Game Is a New Game
Your prior experience is as valuable as a gold medal, but every team and every game is a fresh start. Your precious frameworks and the strategies that worked yesterday may not work today. Being adaptable and open to change is the name of the game.
📢 Joke Alert:
Q: Why did the soccer players bring string to their game?
A: So they could tie the score.
⚽ Leading Without Authority and the Art of Trickery
Imagine trying to lead a bunch of kids without a referee's whistle. It's like trying to control a whirlwind with a feather. Similarly, in the startup world, leadership without formal authority is often the norm. You have to earn trust and respect. Sometimes, you even have to resort to trickery to get your players or team to learn and acquire new habits. A more direct approach may not always work, as any seasoned soccer coach will tell you.
📢 Joke Alert:
Q: Why was the soccer field wet on a sunny day?
A: The players dribbled all over it.
⚽ Win Some, Lose Some, and the Mystery of Keeping Score
In both coaching and advising, you'll encounter wins that are nothing short of exhilarating. And then, there are the unexplainable defeats that leave you scratching your head. It sometimes feels like no one is keeping score, but deep down, you know whether progress is being made (or not), one goal at a time or one business decision at a time.
📢 Joke Alert:
Q: What lights up a soccer stadium?
A: A soccer match!
⚽ Conclusion: Lessons in Leadership, One Goal at a Time
So, whether you're shouting encouragement from the soccer sidelines or guiding a startup through uncharted waters, remember that both experiences are packed with valuable lessons. Embrace the chaos, cherish the victories, and laugh at the occasional comedy of errors.
In the end, coaching a kid's soccer team and advising a startup share more in common than you might think. They both require patience, adaptability, leadership, and a good sense of humor. So, go ahead, tackle those challenges with a grin, and remember: when in doubt, just cheer for your team and trust them to play their best game.
