Sarina Wiegman: “I don’t care about making mistakes” (E224)

Podcast: The High Performance

Published Date:

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 01:00:46 GMT

Duration:

58:36

Explicit:

False

Guests:

Please note that the summary is generated based on the transcript and may not capture all the nuances or details discussed in the podcast episode.

Notes

In this enlightening conversation, Sarina Wiegman offers a profound perspective on what it means to be a successful coach, leader, and advocate for women in football.


This conversation was recorded at a sold out High Performance event in Sarina’s only UK appearance.


Sarina Wiegman is the coach that took the Lionesses to victory at Euro 2020. During this conversation, Sarina takes Jake and Damian through her career and the biggest lessons she has learnt along the way. From cutting her hair off at six years old so she could play football with the boys, to coaching a Euros winning team. They discuss what good leadership looks like and how personal connection with players and mutual understanding is top priority. Sarina offers her one key piece of advice to coaches, parents and leaders.


She delves into the plan she made for the Lionesses that shaped them into a winning team, whilst focusing on her key values; respect, growth and clarity. Not only do they discuss Sarina’s career in football, Jake and Damian also explore the greatest lessons from her personal life, including the benefits of silence and meditation, and her relationship with grief after the loss of her sister.


Sarina’s focus on people and her ability to connect and empower others serve as powerful lessons for anyone seeking to excel in their field and create positive change.


Listen to the exclusive live audience Q&A with Sarina only on the High Performance App! Download The High Performance App by clicking the link below and using the code: HPAPP https://www.thehighperformancepodcast.com/app-link


Find Sarina’s book ‘What It Takes: My Playbook on Life and Leadership’ here:

https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/what-it-takes-sarina-wiegman/7579177


This interview was recorded in front of a live audience.



Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Summary

**Navigating the World of High-Performance Coaching: A Conversation with Sarina Wiegman**

In this captivating conversation, Serena Wiegman, the head coach of the Lionesses, offers a profound perspective on what it takes to be a successful coach, leader, and advocate for women in football. Recorded in front of a sold-out audience in London, Wiegman engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes, delving into her career, the lessons she has learned, and the key principles that have shaped her coaching philosophy.

**Key Themes and Insights:**

* **The Essence of High Performance:** Wiegman defines high performance as performing at the highest level under the most significant pressure. She emphasizes the importance of focus, preparation, and the ability to make quick decisions in high-stakes situations.

* **The Power of Feedback:** Wiegman stresses the significance of seeking feedback to identify areas for improvement and personal growth. She highlights the role of constructive criticism in helping athletes and coaches reach their full potential.

* **Developing People, Not Just Players:** Wiegman's approach to coaching extends beyond tactics and techniques. She places a strong emphasis on developing individuals, fostering their personal growth, and creating a supportive environment where players can thrive.

* **Connecting with Players:** Wiegman believes that establishing genuine connections with players is crucial for effective coaching. She emphasizes the importance of listening, understanding, and creating a sense of trust and respect within the team.

* **Clarity and Communication:** Wiegman's coaching philosophy centers around providing clarity and effective communication to her players. She ensures that the team understands its goals, roles, and responsibilities, enabling them to perform at their best.

* **Adapting to Different Personalities:** Wiegman acknowledges that every player is unique and requires a personalized approach. She tailors her coaching style to accommodate different personalities and learning styles, recognizing that what works for one player may not work for another.

* **The Importance of Resilience:** Wiegman emphasizes the value of resilience in overcoming challenges and setbacks. She encourages her players to learn from their mistakes, embrace adversity, and maintain a positive mindset even in difficult circumstances.

* **Balancing Tactics and Emotional Intelligence:** Wiegman believes that successful coaching involves striking a balance between tactical knowledge and emotional intelligence. She highlights the importance of understanding players' emotions, motivations, and fears to create a cohesive and high-performing team.

* **Advocating for Women in Football:** Wiegman is a passionate advocate for women's football and uses her platform to inspire and empower young girls to pursue their dreams in the sport. She emphasizes the need for more opportunities, visibility, and recognition for women's football worldwide.

* **The Transformative Power of Silence and Meditation:** Wiegman shares her personal experience with silence and meditation as tools for self-reflection and emotional regulation. She highlights the benefits of these practices in helping her stay grounded, focused, and connected to her inner self.

* **Dealing with Grief and Loss:** Wiegman opens up about the loss of her sister during her coaching journey. She describes how she channeled her grief into her work, finding strength and purpose in leading her team to victory at the Euros.

* **The Legacy of Inspiration:** Wiegman reflects on the impact she hopes to leave on the world of football. She expresses her desire to inspire future generations of players and coaches, particularly young girls, to pursue their passions and make a positive difference in the sport.

**Conclusion:**

Serena Wiegman's conversation with Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes provides a wealth of insights into the world of high-performance coaching, leadership, and advocacy for women in football. Her emphasis on developing people, connecting with players, and fostering a supportive environment serves as a valuable lesson for anyone seeking to excel in their field and create a positive impact on others. Wiegman's journey and accomplishments stand as a testament to the transformative power of sports in shaping lives and inspiring change.

## **Podcast Episode Summary: A Conversation with Sarina Wiegman**

### **Key Points:**

- **Staying in the Moment:**
- Sarina Wiegman emphasizes the importance of staying in the moment and focusing on actions rather than results to enhance decision-making and reduce fatigue-induced lapses in concentration.
- Mental training, including visualization, breathing, and meditation, is crucial for developing this skill and improving overall performance.

- **Adapting to Change:**
- Wiegman highlights the significant changes in the visibility and popularity of women's football, noting that it was a different world when she was a player.
- She stresses the need for mental resilience and adaptability to navigate the increased attention and expectations that come with success.

- **Effective Communication:**
- Wiegman shares her experiences of misunderstandings due to cultural differences in communication styles, particularly in England.
- She emphasizes the importance of clear and direct communication to avoid confusion and ensure effective teamwork.

- **Building Trust and Leadership:**
- Wiegman discusses the importance of trust and honesty in building strong leadership relationships with players.
- She describes an incident where a player lost trust in leadership due to a lack of transparency and explains how she addressed the situation to rebuild trust.

- **Mary Earps' Transformation:**
- Wiegman recounts how goalkeeper Mary Earps regained her confidence and became one of the world's best after receiving support and encouragement from the coaching staff.

- **Dealing with Grief and Emotions:**
- Wiegman shares her personal experience of dealing with the grief of losing her sister during the buildup to the Euros.
- She emphasizes the importance of embracing and processing emotions, finding moments to grieve, and not suppressing or ignoring them.
- Wiegman also highlights the significance of family and health, stating that they are the most important aspects of life.

- **Advocacy for Women in Football:**
- Wiegman applauds the Lionesses players for using their platform to address societal issues and make a positive impact, particularly through their letter after the Euros.
- She acknowledges that there is still progress to be made in terms of gender equality in football and encourages women to be more assertive and confident in their decision-making.

- **Learning from the World Cup:**
- Wiegman reflects on the lessons learned from the Women's World Cup, emphasizing the rapid development of the women's game and the need for England to adapt to the increasing defensive capabilities and counter-attacking threats of other teams.

- **Maintaining Success:**
- Despite recent challenging results, Wiegman remains optimistic about the Lionesses' ability to retain the European Championship title in two years.
- She acknowledges the need to address areas for improvement, such as final pass accuracy and ruthlessness in front of goal, while maintaining a neutral mindset and focusing on the team's strengths.

- **Continuous Improvement:**
- Wiegman seeks feedback from players and staff to identify areas where she can improve as a coach.
- She believes that there is always room for growth and development, and she is committed to enhancing her skills and knowledge to help the Lionesses achieve their goals.

### **Overall Message:**

Sarina Wiegman's conversation offers valuable insights into her approach to coaching, leadership, and personal development. She emphasizes the importance of staying present, adapting to change, communicating effectively, building trust, and embracing emotions. Wiegman also highlights the need for continuous improvement and the significance of advocating for women in football. Her experiences and perspectives provide valuable lessons for anyone seeking to excel in their field and create positive change.

# Sarina Wiegman: The High-Performance Coach and Advocate for Women in Football

In a captivating conversation, Sarina Wiegman, the coach who led the Lionesses to victory at Euro 2020, shares her insights on leadership, coaching, and advocating for women in football.

**Key Points Discussed:**

- **Non-Negotiable Behaviors:** Wiegman emphasizes the significance of non-negotiable behaviors for her team, including hard work, team-first mentality, and taking action on and off the pitch.

- **Legacy and Inspiration:** Wiegman expresses her desire to inspire others, particularly girls and women, to pursue their dreams and break glass ceilings in sports and beyond.

- **Advice to Teenage Self:** She encourages young people to follow their hearts, pursue their passions, and not let anyone tell them they cannot achieve their goals.

- **Greatest Strength and Weakness:** Wiegman identifies her strength as connecting with people and her weakness as not being able to switch off and relax completely.

- **Golden Rule for High-Performance Life:** She believes commitment, perseverance, and talent are crucial for a high-performance life.

- **Impact of Serena's Leadership:** Wiegman's leadership has had a profound impact on English football, making it a better place for female players and coaches.

- **Audience Q&A:** Listeners can access an exclusive live audience Q&A with Sarina Wiegman on the High Performance App using the code HPAPP.

- **Sharing the Podcast:** Wiegman encourages listeners to share the podcast with someone who needs inspiration and can benefit from her messages.

- **Golden Rule Created by a Listener:** The podcast features a golden rule created by a listener using AI, emphasizing constant self-improvement, resilience, adaptability, respect, and unwavering dedication.

- **LinkedIn Jobs:** The episode concludes with a promotion for LinkedIn Jobs, encouraging small businesses to find qualified candidates for their teams.

**Overall Message:**

Sarina Wiegman's focus on people, her ability to connect and empower others, and her commitment to developing players and coaches serve as valuable lessons for anyone seeking to excel in their field and create positive change.

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