Reports
Leadership Lessons from Sarina Wiegman: How to Build a Team That
23.07.25
Author: James Thomlinson
23.07.25
“You don’t win with the best players. You win with the best team.” – Sarina Wiegman
I recently signed up for a long-distance triathlon – which means boring training sessions but more time for audiobooks, podcasts and some old school bangers. Next up? The rather topical audiobook, What It Takes, by the brilliant Sarina Wiegman.
After last night’s win, surely the Lionesses can retain their European title! But beyond football, it’s packed with insight for anyone leading teams in high-pressure environments. Here’s what really stuck with me:
➡️ Psychological safety drives performance – Sarina creates space where mistakes are learning opportunities, not liabilities.
➡️ Say what you mean, mean what you say – she champions direct, honest communication that builds trust.
➡️ Structure with room for expression – her teams combine discipline with creativity.
➡️ Inclusion as a competitive advantage – she doesn’t just talk about diversity, she builds it into the DNA of team success.
What It Takes isn’t just a football book – it’s a leadership manual. For anyone building businesses, agencies or teams: grow together, own your role, and always play for each other.
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