1986 – Diego (God in Spanish) Maradona sent England home from Mexico World Cup tournament after scoring for 2-1 with… his right hand. After the game he declared that it was Diego’s hand and Maradona’s head scoring.

2010 – Luis Fabiano (Brazil) plays twice the ball with hand scoring for 2-0 in a game against Ivory Coast. Guess what has he declared? “It was God’s hand!” Only this time God helped twice.

When I first saw playing football more than 30 years ago it was not uncommon for players to admit during the game to referee they committed fouls so that the decision should not affect the overall evolution of the game. (more…)

I just returned from “Mihai Viteazul” National College in Bucharest where I gave a lecture as a guest of Leaders Foundation. I have been asked what I would do if I were in their situation. I think that together with taking seriously formal education is getting social experiences at all kinds from getting a job, taking a summer course, volunteering or (should mom and dad have plenty of cash) going around the world for one year. This would allow that the social part of one’s brain be programmed in a way closer to his/her nature. Failing to do this would allow other people (such as your first employer!!) to install in their programs without any resistance. Think the way we install software and pop-up jumps saying that some existing program won’t let you install just anything!

I do admire Argentina a lot and for a number of reasons and I wish they will win. However I have my doubts.

They have a great selection of players. They have Messi who scored all four goals in a quarter final game in Champions League. And they have Milito, who scored both goals in the Champions League final, as a substitute!

Would that be just enough?

Additionally, they have Maradona as coach. He is unquestionably the best football player in the world ever. However, seldom such big player stars are making it as coach, the rule is rather opposite (look at Hagi, or change views and see Mourinho). And Maradona is the best ever. Those who managed to make it as coaches excelled in self-control and role modeling with Maradona being a far flung from any of these both in the past and now.

Will unusual talent of Argentinean players together with the aura of what used to Maradona as a player be enough to win this much desired trophy?

My guess is not! Bitterly! But we will see it in a month from now! Hope we will have a new challenge for our leadership stereotypes.

UPDATE: It made it only to quarterfinal when Argentina was humiliated and sent back home by Germany (4-0). Pity for its stars as none of them was shining at this tournament.

Take a look at Mexican football fans in ‘70s. Get inspired by some tin trumpet they are using during games.

Then take some raw plastic and shape it into the form of a trumpet. Name it vuvuzela after word “vuvu” meaning noise in Zulu language. Bring it to the stadium and upset the world with it. World will remember you forever.

No special budgets, no consultants… even a little business.

South Africa

One of my former subordinates told me a little story. He is one of the most effective salesmen I happened to know and later became a friend for lifetime.

Some evening he had a long talk with the in-house trainer of his company. At one moment the trainer exclaimed that my friend is a hell of a great person and asked why he stayed hidden for so many years (about six). (more…)