Football is more than just a game. For those of us running companies, it’s also a masterclass in leadership, discipline, and protecting culture at all costs.
This week, I heard that Kevin De Bruyne, one of the best midfielders of all time, might be leaving Manchester City. Rumor has it that the mastermind himself, Pep Guardiola, is behind the move. Yes, the Pep — the man with more than 28 trophies and a reputation for turning world-class players into yesterday’s news if they dare step out of line.
And if you think Pep is cold, remember Sir Alex Ferguson? He once kicked out David Beckham for letting fame cloud his discipline, Roy Keane for challenging his authority, and Van Nistelrooy for being… well, Van Nistelrooy. No player was ever bigger than Manchester United. And Sir Alex made sure everyone knew it.
As a business leader myself, I’ve come to live by this philosophy:
Protect your culture at all costs — even if it means firing your best player.
Let me take you back to a few years ago…
I had this top saleswoman — I’m talking a rainmaker! She could close deals in her sleep. Clients loved her. She brought in serious money. But somewhere along the line, she must have confused our office with an after-party at Beyoncé’s house.
She started arriving late, doing her own thing, and dressing like… let’s just say, like she was auditioning for a different kind of film.
We tried talking to her. She said she “was expressing herself.” I said, “This is not a fashion runway; this is M&J Africa.”
Eventually, we suspended her and called her in for a disciplinary hearing. You know what she said? She actually gave us conditions to keep her in the company. I nearly asked if she thought we were negotiating a football contract with PSG!
Needless to say, we fired her on the spot. Not because she wasn’t good — she was brilliant. But because no one, and I mean no one, is bigger than the company culture.
Running a consulting firm in Zimbabwe isn’t for the faint-hearted. Try paying 50 salaries in hard cash USD every month for 10 years without delay — during elections, demonetizations, fuel shortages, and COVID lockdowns. We’ve done it. And we’ve survived because we protect our culture like Pep protects his touchline tactics.
So here’s the takeaway:
- Talent is important.
- Performance is great.
- But character and culture? Non-negotiable.
If your best player starts showing up late, dressing like a TikTok influencer, and giving ultimatums… be like Pep. Be like Sir Alex.
Bench them. Or better yet, transfer list.
Your company deserves loyalty, discipline, and humility — not divas.
And that, my friend, is the beautiful game of business.
