If you really want it, it’s yours.

Kevin Roberts, CEO of Saatchi and Saatchi, recounted an experience whereby he was in the changing room of the New Zealand rugby team. The team was half a dozen points down at half time, and all of the changed when the coach looked at his dispirited players and said 7 words:

“If you really want it, it’s yours.”.

I believe that was similar what Alex Ferguson said to his players when they were 1-0 down during the 1999 Champions League final. Along the lines of, “The trophy is just out there, but you can’t touch it if you lose the game”.

Great team managers always fascinate me, because they know they have to inspire instead of instilling fear.