<font color="#ff0000">Guest Article: </font> Vinay Kanchan: Seeking inspiration out of Africa

Some lessons that the corporate world can learn from the world of soccer

The greatest show on earth will soon be upon us. And in that ensuing feast of stunning free kicks and contentious red cards, blatant dives and dexterous feints, unfettered agony and unabashed ecstasy, there might be some interesting lessons for the corporate world as well.

Football (or Soccer, as the Americans would insist we call it) has long been an effervescent cauldron of divergent strategies. It has served as a platform, where the purely primal and the silkily sophisticated aspects of human nature have courted. And every World Cup edition has only added to this burgeoning folklore.

Let us take a brief walk down that memory touchline to look at a few shining cases in point over the years.

Tears for peers

The World Cup is an absolutely wonderful source to seek inspiring tales of leadership. Among others there is the extraordinary case of the Kaiser, Franz Beckenbauer, who played on with a dislocated shoulder, in the oppressive conditions of Mexico during a grudge, brutally physical quarter final against England in 1970.

But perhaps the story that is most intriguing happened on a muggy World Cup final afternoon at the Azteca in Mexico (1986). That World Cup had belonged to the man with that rather decent left foot, Diego Maradona.

Hours before the final against West Germany, Maradona, the superstar captain of an inexperienced Argentine side, called for a team meeting. His compatriots wondered what exactly he would tell them, and were taken completely by surprise when he broke down uncontrollably into tears. In between sobs, he is believed to have said things such as, "Come to me mother, give me love, because I am so frightened."

That single moment told the young Argentine team that even someone as astonishingly gifted as Maradona was scared of what was to follow. It was, therefore, fine to be afraid; and that this (most importantly) was a match where he would really need their help.

What transpired later was historic. The wily Germans locked down Maradona for most of the match, save one moment of sublime vision, in which he set up the winning goal. But Maradona's team was truly inspired that day. They played out of their skins to win Argentina its second World Cup.

Leadership has often been associated with all-out aggression and confidence, and with the suppression of the 'weaker' emotions. Tears and an acceptance of being scared are seen, perhaps, as absolute non-starters. But sometimes, football has this wonderful habit of proving us all wrong.

'Italy in yellow shirts…'

'The football world is truly flat' is a concept that possibly explains how national team playing styles are now freely travelling across oceans. There was a time when every nation played in a certain manner; they almost had their own branded styles. Brazil and Argentina were all about flair-based attack; Italy had a cast-iron defence; Germany and Holland played 'total football'.

Maybe it's also because of the influence of the club game; but all that seems to be changing now. Team coaches and managers today are fusing rival strengths into their own traditional playing styles, even changing them significantly.

Watching Brazil under Dunga (their head coach) during the qualifying rounds led one to believe that the Italian team was now playing in yellow shirts. And this transition has probably given them an unexpected edge, because for a change, Brazil's key strength this time is its defence.

Will this tampering (or enrichment, if you prefer) of one of the most iconic playing-style brands in the world succeed? Only time will tell. In the meantime, full marks to Dunga for courage; though there won't be enough places to hide in Rio, if things don't go according to plan.

Heart over head

Paolo Rossi was languishing football-wise and was even involved in some betting scandals. Despite this, Enzo Bearzot, the Italian manager, reposed faith in him. Rossi had seven magical days that won Italy the 1982 World Cup. He never even came close to doing anything as significant in his career, before or since. But that one week made him a cult hero and showed the world why Bearzot was such a great manager.

The World Cup is littered with amazing selection examples, where it seemed initially that good sense had taken long leave of the manager in question. A near-retired Roger Milla being picked for Cameroon in 1990 by Valeri Nepomniachi; a half-fit Ronaldo who had hardly played for three years, being selected for Brazil by Scolari for the 2002 edition.

The amazing ability of these gentlemen to trust these decisions to their instinct, in the absence of any supporting data, just has to be admired. Because in many parts of the world, where football assumes religious proportions, these decisions were literally life- threatening.

Bad is good

Few brands embrace controversy with as much abandon as the World Cup. Perhaps there is a reason for this. After the World Cup, football returns to the club season and national teams getting together again is a rarity. There is a need thus to preserve, enhance and nurture the myth and legend of the World Cup; and sometimes, controversy is just the right ingredient. It sustains the fans for the four years in between; and still brings up the World Cup in ensuing conversations, giving people 'something to passionately talk about'.

For instance, whether the ball crossed the line in the case of England's decisive goal in the 1966 final against West Germany; did the 'little man' actually handle the ball in Mexico in 1986; or why Zidane chose to use his head at that precise critical moment in the 2006 final.

France seems to have already set the controversies ball rolling with Henry's blatantly handled pass, which knocked the feisty Irish out. If France were to go far in Africa, be prepared to hear more about that 'foreign hand' for the next four years.

What's in a name?

Edison Arantes do Nascimento is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable figures of the last century. Perhaps you know him by his nickname -- Pele.

Arthur Antunes Coimbra dribbled his way into the hearts of football fans as Zico. This edition will be a showcase for the talents of Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, thankfully occupying only the word, Kaka, in our already excessively burdened memory banks.

Perhaps nicknames began for the benefit of foreign commentators, who found the original names quite a mouthful. But it is fascinating how South Americans have instinctively understood the benefit of having crisper, catchier 'brand' names. Keeping it short and sweet was something they learnt automatically about nomenclature, even if getting them off the ball has always proved to be a much longer ordeal for their opponents.

As Africa welcomes its first World Cup, the entire globe will be riveted to the action on the pitch. But seeking the inspiring stories that lurk behind every success might give you enough 'official and management' reasons to watch matches during work hours as well. And that, as we all know, will surely be something to cheer about.

(The writer is an independent brand consultant and creative thinking trainer. He is also the author of the book, 'The Madness Starts at 9'.)