Brotherhood: How Berhalter is implementing characteristics created in high-performing corporate cultures
The United States is built from the bones of rugged individualism and hard work, and that ethos consequently defines some of the best moments in our national soccer team’s history. If everyone does their job and works hard, then we can score a last minute winner against Algeria to win the group in 2010, or beat Spain in 2009, or defeat our despised rivals Mexico in a quarter-final of a World Cup in 2002.
But what happens when a generation revolutionizes itself, when the legends of Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard fade into the moments of yesterday? What happens when your team is no longer built around a few high-performing superstars, but is now teeming with them?
The United States Men’s National Team now has Champions League level talent in almost every position across the pitch, and that is a genuine problem that we have never faced before. The problem isn’t what you think though… it’s not how to fit your best 11 players on the pitch - No, the problem Berhalter needs to solve leading to the World Cup is to turn a roster full of individuals who at any other moment would be the best player in the US’s history into a high-performing team. A brotherhood that is greater than the sum of its parts.
Gregg Berhalter is a coach that believes unequivocally in his methods, sometimes to a fault. Throughout World Cup Qualifying Gregg’s own ‘likeability’ has hurt him and the team, but it may be an investment that is now bearing its fruits at just the right moment in time. There is a unique similarity of characteristics this team is now showing with high-performing corporate teams. High-performing teams in corporate culture have been the focal point of research in the last few decades for the results they can bring for shareholders and clients. Is Berhalter building a high-performing team that will bring results to his shareholders and clients - the fans?
With trust, a team is able to find their flow, be comfortable with taking risks and able to work through challenges and conflicts together. Look no further than the changes to Christian Pulisic’s demeanor and performance over the course of the last year. Every time a depleted Pulisic traveled from Chelsea to a USMNT camp he left rejuvenated and in-form. In the first World Cup Qualifying matches he tried to do it all, he tried to carry the weight of Couva on his shoulders by himself. Trust in his brothers is what he credits as the element that allowed him to play free. Look for yourself all over the pitch. Players trust Tyler Adams to protect the backline, players trust they will be stood up for, players trust that others will be exactly where they need to be.
Have you noticed a clear improvement in body language amongst the squad recently? Maybe you will have noticed when Yunus Musah didn’t track his man into the box against Morocco and Tyler Adams provided some candid feedback as the subsequent corner was being set up. Trust is a catalyst to clear communication. Make no mistake that clear communication between players starts from the top. Players are consistently speaking about Gregg Berhalter’s feedback and communication while with their clubs. When Mark McKenzie wasn’t called into the June camp and was asked on the In Soccer We Trust podcast about his exclusion, McKenzie said he “knew exactly what he needed to work on from Gregg to get back in the squad”.
Clearly defined roles and responsibilities help teams maximize their results and reduce conflict. It is important that each member knows what their role is and what is expected of them, as well as understanding the roles of their teammates and what goals they're trying to reach together. High performing teams work because everyone is working towards collective success of the higher purpose. At times Berhalter’s teams have been rigid and bare of creativity especially against CONCACAF teams that bunker. Maybe we were seeing the building blocks of defined roles and responsibilities in action, and now that there has been time to build understanding of those responsibilities the team is now leveraging greater freedom across the pitch.
Do you remember when Berhalter said the goal is to “change the way the world sees US soccer”? It may have been silly or even absurd for those of us on the outside, but a high-performing team needs a purpose. While each team member may have their own responsibilities, they are all working towards a common goal thus increasing performance and communication. You’ll notice all of these characteristics work in a flywheel. That is… trust breeds communication and so on.
The final characteristic of a high-performing team is engaged leadership. Say what you will about Gregg Berhalter, but can anyone genuinely question if he doesn’t care about his players or their purpose? I'm not saying Gregg is a great tactical manager... but as a leader of young men I think we can agree he is one of the best in our history. A leader is there to help the team achieve success and works with them collaboratively to ensure they have the right resources to achieve their goals. A leader will foster a positive environment and encourage their team to be open with their communication and trust each other.
This brotherhood is reaching towards a shared ambition, together. Change the way the world sees US soccer.