What can businesses learn from Croatia’s Outing in FIFA 2018

Championships are rarely won by a team of underdogs! But the 2018 FIFA World Cup came to an end yesterday, with surprising twists and an exciting finish! France clearly won the tournament by 2 goals but the real winner who clenched the cup of victory, in my opinion, is Croatia . In our dynamic corporate world, there is a lot to learn from Croatia, their zeal to combat competition and severities, and rise to the occasion, fiercer and bolder!

To give a quick recap, when the 2018 edition of the FIFA World Cup kicked off in Russia last month, the entire world was gung-ho about legendary favorites winning the coveted trophy. The reigning world champions Germany, Spain, Italy, England, Brazil and Argentina were the obvious choices; however, they did not even make it to the final four!

The entire tournament was one of ‘edge-of-the seat matches’ and unexpected climaxes. Outgunned and outshone by football legends, Croatia emerged victorious through strategy and fighting against all odds with an ardent passion.

Rising from the ashes, the team emerged to the top, heralding a new order in the world’s most watched sport. Assessing their performance from a management angle, I believe that the Croatian team demonstrated a series of lessons. In this article, I list four such lessons that corporates can learn from the Croatia’s journey in FIFA World Cup 2018:

Past does not equal to Future

Since finishing third in their World Cup debut in 1998, the country’s outing in the quadrennial tournament had been largely unremarkable. Their past performances were good, but they didn’t stand a chance against some of the greatest football stars participating in the tournament. Or so it seemed. However, just like past records do not connote future success, past failures do not imply future disappointments.

Taking over a successful business does not assure automatic success. Traditional business houses may have built a legacy, but still have no guarantee of success in the contemporary, technologically-advanced and talent-rich industry landscape of today. They need to learn to adapt and evolve with time. Similarly, young entrepreneurs should not be apprehensive of the future just because of their lack of experience. To compete successfully, they should have passion resonate with every pulse and mental fortitude displayed through their professional journey!

Focus on your strengths instead of your opponents

Since the beginning of the FIFA World Cup 2018 tournament, no one really paid attention to Croatia – the team represented a nondescript country located in the Balkan region of Eastern Europe. This indifference did not deter the squad from demonstrating much vaunted fighting qualities in every match. They endured a grueling route to the finals. Their single-minded focus coupled with resilience enabled them to beat past champions such as Argentina and levy upon them their heaviest World Cup group stage defeat since 1958. While the final outcome of the 2018 World Cup was not in their favor, the team did display exemplary standards of sportsmanship and treated their fans to first-class football throughout the tournament.

Similarly, the advent of new age entrepreneurs brings along a breath of fresh energy in the corporate set-up. These young entrepreneurs should shift their focus from the prowess of older organizations. They should concentrate on their own strengths, and how they can optimally utilize the same for the success of the organisation

In the duel between passion and legacy, passion wins

At 172 mts and 146 lbs, the captain of the Croatia team, Luka Modric is a diminutive figure compared to his famous counterparts in competing teams. However, he believes that physical stature in football is not as important as conviction, mental toughness and willpower. The fact that Modric has led his team to the finals by guiding them to play good football against world champions, by drawing upon a reservoir of iron resolve, is a validation of his belief., Their passion and determination helped them win billions of hearts across the world and mark their arrival on the global sporting platform with élan!

In the same manner, new organizations and young entrepreneurs should make passion the mantra for their future. Experience is important but not as critical as the unyielding determination to be successful.

Behind every successful team is a level-headed mentor

During a press conference following their debut entry into the World Cup finals, Modric admitted the role of their coach, Zlatko Dalic. He said that “he came into the picture at a very difficult stage. In the first game, he motivated them and strengthened their self-belief. He convinced them they were still good players despite the crisis. He brought calmness and sanity to the chaos and perked them up! But what the team admired most was his sincerity and attitude towards each player. They looked forward to having him around, as he inspired them not just as a coach, but also as a good human being”.

Independent directors play a similar role in the management of successful organizations. As sounding boards with years of experience, they need provide practical advice that enables companies to succeed despite the most challenging circumstances. Perhaps their biggest strength is their ringside view of situations and their ability to strategize with a 360 degree perspective.

“MALA ZEMLJA. VELIKI SNOVI”

Croatia’s official slogan for the tournament translates into ‘Small Country, Big Dreams’. It sums up their journey perfectly – a triumphant voyage of brilliant teamwork! It was truly a testament to the highest cadre of labor, perseverance and integrity.