Footballers for the English team may hold the same sway over the success of a World Cup campaign as a project team holds over the success of a project. Or do they? Perhaps it’s not feasible to ask whether or not Fabio Capello is managing a project or a programme with the English side. The scale of influence, the oversight of the FA, the salary differences – all of these may render the comparison moot. But I can’t seem to get away from the thought as we prepare for a “Do or Die” Wednesday unlike any other in English fandom.
Amidst all of the talk about the team’s possible crash out of the 2010 World Cup and the player revolt taking place in Rustenburg, Capello’s future as home side manager at Wembley is not secure. And that raises my own speculation as to whether he is managing a programme when he approaches the English squad; namely establishing his strategy for the long term programme which features as part of the FA’s overall vision called “England Teams Winning” and committing to the programme for the long haul or is the England team viewed as a project, with that project’s final goal being win the World Cup? Either way, I guess time will tell and soon.
After two uninspiring draws in the group stage, Capello’s seemingly rigid, collaboration-free style of management has also got me thinking. Does he need to rethink his management style this late in the day and open (notice I didn’t say “re-open”) the communication channels and perhaps finding a consensus through collaboration on the best way to find success for the World Cup project.
We all know and understand the importance of communication on projects (and programmes) and as a project or programme manager, the people who work under you need to be able to come to you when they’ve determined why an essential need for a project or programme cannot be met, or how you can best get around an obstacle or issue. Not to mention all things related to the communication inherent to sufficiently managing risk. But if the communications chalice is so poisonous that your team members don’t feel they can come to you or even get you to appreciate the problem, the project’s probability of success has been hampered. Sound familiar England fans?
Could Capello’s prospects beyond his current role still be plentiful after today’s result – regardless of the result? After all, the programme “England Teams Winning” has clearly laid out the task ahead; “To create the right environment and conditions that, through world-class leadership, will enable the England teams to be successful, with the senior men’s team at the centre.” A world class leader with a team revolt?
World Cup failure can lead to some pretty rash decisions by superiors who think their hands are being forced, long-term plans be damned. But is Fabio Capello so stubborn as to think that the revolts and dissension are all the more reason for him NOT to adjust? Collaboration is central to team success, as team members have the chance to notice things on the field that superiors may not be able to see. Capello can’t see everything: but one would think that he can take the information he is given by his team and bring success into focus. If that’s not the case, the sounds from the revolutionary camp will ring truer than ever.
Will Capello’s tactics today leave you determining him to be in it for the long-term (programme manager) or for the short (project manager)?
P.S Come on, England 
!!
Both images courtesy through flickr of Ell Brown and Ingrid Sinclair and re-used with permission.
writing comment whilst watching england beat Oz at cricket! For Capello, it’s a programme of projects – qualify for the world cup, altitute adjustment/pre world cup, environment setup in SA, reaching QF or better. I doubt whether he includes a project or subprogramme to improve English Football. Very interesting point/dilemma regarding should he change his style at 11th hour. Basically it seems he held his nerve, kept control on his terms and succeeded. If he stays on to what degree would performance improve if he attended PPSOSIG annual conference? Will Shearer, Lineker et al be discussing these aspects pre the next match?