Sir Alex Ferguson
Written by Alex Ferguson and Michael Moritz
10 leadership Secrets That Built Manchester United's Greatest Dynasty:
Based on Sir Alex Ferguson's book, here's a refined 10-tweet leadership thread combining key elements:
- "Listening costs you nothing"
Success isn't built overnight. Never set specific targets - focused on winning every game.
➝ 38 trophies
➝ 26 years Started with observation in Glasgow shipyards
➝ Early lesson: Hard work + listening = Foundation
CORE SUCCESS PILLARS:
☉ Preparation
☉ Perseverance
☉ Patience
☉ Discipline
"If you give in once, you'll give in twice."
Never let anyone get bigger than the club. Players who undermined control were sold.
PHILOSOPHY: "8 players, not 11, win games - everybody has off-days"
Team Building Ratios:
⇾ 30+ years: Limited
⇾ 23-30: Core group
⇾ 20-23: Rising stars [Built for sustainable success]
Development Stories: Beckham's Rise:
⇢ Trained with schoolboys after hours
⇢ Top fitness scores always
⇢ Endless practice Class of '92 proved youth development works
"The best way to build is from within"
Control vs Power: "The minute players rule the roost, you're dead."
But...
"You don't need to be loved, but must be respected."
● Delegated to trusted staff while maintaining oversight.
● Clear structure, no confusion about authority.
PREPARATION MINDSET: "Training ground was where matches were won"
↠ Diet revolution
↠ Recovery focus
↠ Video analysis
↠ No shortcuts Victory on Saturday starts Monday morning.
Understanding People: ➱ Different characters need different handling ➱ Some need an arm around the shoulder ➱ Others need tough love ➱ Everyone needs respect "You must understand their background to lead them"
Strategic Thinking: "I'd always check which opposition players made their Old Trafford debut"
➵ Extra pressure on them
➵ Our red carpet welcome
➵ Psychological edge vital Small details make big differences.
Learning From Mistakes:
◍ Waited too long to rebuild the first United team
◍ 1st retirement announcement was premature
◍ Lost titles in '92/'12 through complacency
"Every victory must make you hungrier"
Legacy Wisdom:
"The manager can't lose control. Not for one second."
⊚ Building takes time, destroying is quick.
⊚ Never went two seasons without a trophy for 23 years.
"Don't put your slippers on" - SAF's retirement motto [Excellence never retires]
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