Before every match, I used to gather the players together. It wasn’t a long speech, just a few minutes to centre everyone on what mattered most that day. Sometimes it was about focus, sometimes trust, sometimes just reminding them to enjoy the game.
That short talk often made the biggest difference. It gave direction, energy, and belief before a single whistle blew.
In leadership, we often skip that moment. We jump straight into meetings, projects, or new weeks assuming everyone already knows the plan. But people can’t follow what they can’t see. Without clarity, even good teams drift.
A simple five-minute conversation at the start can set the tone for everything that follows. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just clear and intentional.
Tell your team what the goal is, what success looks like, and how you want to show up together. Those small pre-game moments create focus that lasts.
This week’s challenge:
Take five minutes before your next meeting or project kickoff. Share the big picture and what really matters. You’ll be surprised how much smoother the week runs when everyone starts on the same page.