E13 - Ole Gunnar Solskjear: Living authentically

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored 126 goals in 366 appearances for Manchester United, but that doesn’t go nearly far enough in explaining his legacy at Old Trafford.

On the field, the Norwegian became an embodiment of the Reds’ never-say-die spirit in their most successful decade, often scoring late goals when points or trophies looked to have been lost. The most special of all being the Champions League final in 1999 cementing his place in Man Utd folklore.

Since retiring as a player, Ole returned to his homeland in 2011 and spent three years with Molde before taking over at then Premier League side Cardiff City.

In December 2018, Ole received a call he just could not turn down - Manchester United. He was made permanent manager in March 2019 until 2021.

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## **Navigating the Journey to Success: Lessons from Manchester United's Manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer**


### **Introduction**

In this captivating episode of the High Performance Podcast, host Jay Comfrey sits down with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the manager of one of the most renowned football clubs in the world, Manchester United. Their conversation delves into the secrets behind Solskjaer's success as a player and manager, exploring the lessons he's learned throughout his illustrious career.



### **Key Insights**

#### **1. Cultivating a Winning Mindset:**

- **Embracing a Quiet Confidence:** Solskjaer emphasizes the significance of maintaining a quietly confident mindset, believing in one's abilities while remaining humble enough to learn and improve.
- **Taking Personal Responsibility:** Solskjaer stresses the importance of accepting personal responsibility for one's performance, acknowledging that excuses only hinder progress.
- **Visualizing Success:** He shares his practice of visualizing successful outcomes, believing that imagining positive results enhances the likelihood of achieving them.

#### **2. Building a High-Performance Culture:**

- **Promoting Respect and Loyalty:** Solskjaer highlights the importance of fostering a culture of respect and loyalty within the team, emphasizing that players should put the team's success before their own individual interests.
- **Encouraging a Desire to Learn:** He emphasizes the need for players to be open to learning and improving, embracing feedback and implementing new strategies to enhance their performance.
- **Identifying and Nurturing Leaders:** Solskjaer discusses the significance of identifying and developing leaders within the team, recognizing players who possess the qualities to inspire and motivate their teammates.

#### **3. Turning Good Players into Winners:**

- **Testing Players' Character:** Solskjaer reveals that he sometimes deliberately referees training sessions poorly to observe how players react under pressure, assessing their emotional control and resilience.
- **Demanding Excellence:** He expects players to perform at their best even in challenging situations, instilling a never-say-die attitude and a desire to win in every game.
- **Creating a Supportive Environment:** Solskjaer emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive environment where players feel comfortable taking risks and expressing themselves, fostering a culture of creativity and innovation.

#### **4. Learning from Setbacks:**

- **Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity:** Solskjaer reflects on his experience as manager of Cardiff City, acknowledging that it was a challenging period but valuable in terms of learning and personal growth.
- **Adapting Management Style:** He admits to changing his management approach over time, becoming more relaxed and focused on building relationships with players, recognizing the evolving needs of modern athletes.
- **Remaining Authentic:** Solskjaer emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself as a manager, avoiding the temptation to adopt a persona that doesn't align with one's values and beliefs.



## **Key Points:**

1. **Mentorship and Learning:**

- Solskjaer emphasizes the invaluable mentorship he received from Warren Joyce and Sir Alex Ferguson during his playing career. He credits them for shaping his tactical understanding and instilling in him the importance of organizing a team effectively.

2. **Coping with Pressure:**

- When asked about handling the sudden surge of expectations upon becoming Manchester United manager, Solskjaer reveals his ability to compartmentalize and focus on his strengths. He credits his experience as a player under Sir Alex Ferguson for teaching him to navigate the intense media scrutiny and external pressure.

3. **Creating a Supportive Environment:**

- Solskjaer highlights the significance of fostering a positive and challenging environment for his players. He believes in creating a culture where players enjoy coming to work each day and are motivated to improve. He emphasizes the importance of balancing discipline with encouragement to bring out the best in his team.

4. **Dealing with Outside Scrutiny:**

- Solskjaer acknowledges the challenges players face in dealing with negative media attention and its impact on their mental well-being and performance. He emphasizes the need for open and honest conversations with players to help them manage criticism and focus on their goals.

5. **Seeking Feedback and Support:**

- Solskjaer reveals that he values feedback from trusted individuals, including Sir Alex Ferguson and club officials. He appreciates their support during difficult times and acknowledges the importance of having a plan and managing expectations with the club's hierarchy.

6. **The Importance of Patience:**

- Solskjaer stresses the need for patience in achieving sustained success. He believes in a gradual process of development and improvement, rather than expecting immediate results. He emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals and working towards them consistently.

7. **Non-negotiable Behaviors:**

- Solskjaer identifies three non-negotiable behaviors that he expects from his players: trust, loyalty, and commitment to the team. He believes that these values are essential for creating a cohesive and successful unit. He emphasizes the importance of accountability and ensuring that players hold each other responsible for their actions.

8. **Advice for Young Players:**

- Solskjaer offers valuable advice to young players aspiring to reach the highest levels of football. He encourages them to work harder than ever before, learn continuously, and never stop developing their skills. He emphasizes the importance of humility, hard work, and a willingness to learn from experienced players and coaches.

9. **The Essence of a Manchester United Player:**

- Solskjaer emphasizes that Manchester United players should possess not only exceptional talent but also a strong work ethic and a deep understanding of the club's history and values. He believes that players who embody these qualities will always be appreciated by the fans.

10. **Finding a Balance:**

- Solskjaer acknowledges the need to strike a balance between individual brilliance and team cohesion. He encourages his players to express themselves and showcase their unique talents while simultaneously working for the collective success of the team. He believes that this delicate balance is crucial for achieving sustained success.

11. **Embracing Failure:**

- Solskjaer reveals his positive outlook on failure, viewing it as an opportunity for growth and learning. He encourages his players to learn from their mistakes and use them as motivation to improve. He believes that a healthy relationship with failure is essential for personal and team development.

12. **Legacy and Personal Fulfillment:**

- Solskjaer expresses his desire to leave a positive legacy at Manchester United but emphasizes that his primary focus is on making decisions that he believes are in the best interest of the club. He finds fulfillment in knowing that he has been true to his values and made decisions with the club's best interests at heart.


**Post-Playing Career:**

Following his retirement as a player, Solskjaer returned to his homeland in 2011, spending three years as manager of Molde before taking the reins at Cardiff City in the Premier League. In December 2018, he received a call from Manchester United, an opportunity he couldn't resist. He was appointed interim manager, and his impressive performance led to his permanent appointment in March 2019, a role he held until 2021.

**High-Performance Mindset:**

The High-Performance Podcast, hosted by Damon and featuring Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, delves into the mindset and strategies that have shaped Solskjaer's successful career. The podcast aims to inspire and motivate listeners, encouraging them to adopt a high-performance mindset in their own lives.

**Community Engagement:**

The podcast seeks to foster a community of high-performance thinkers, inviting listeners to engage in conversations and share their thoughts and questions. The use of the hashtag #highperformancepodcast across social media platforms facilitates this interaction, allowing listeners to connect with the podcast and with each other.

**Upcoming Episode:**

The next episode of the podcast will feature Damon and Solskjaer answering questions from listeners, providing insights into Solskjaer's philosophy, leadership style, and experiences at Manchester United. Listeners are encouraged to send their questions and comments using the hashtag #highperformancepodcast.

**Conclusion:**

The High-Performance Podcast, featuring Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, offers a unique opportunity for listeners to learn from a legendary footballer and manager. Through engaging conversations and insightful discussions, the podcast aims to inspire and empower individuals to adopt a high-performance mindset, both personally and professionally.