As we head into today’s World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina, I’m realizing I no longer watch football the way I used to.
Every match has become an organizational design case study.
Before every big match, the conversation revolves around the stars — Mbappé, Yamal, Messi, Haaland, Kane.
Before every executive search, the conversation isn’t much different.
Who’s the star candidate?
Who’s the transformational hire?
Who will change everything?
Watching Spain yesterday, I was reminded that championships are rarely won by collecting the biggest names.
They’re won by designing the best system.
A clear strategy. Clear roles. Alignment around a common objective. Decision rights that reinforce rather than compete. And the discipline to make individual talent serve the strategy, rather than the strategy serving individual talent.
Companies spend months chasing the transformational rockstar executive, believing one hire will change everything.
Too often, that executive struggles because the culture, roles, incentives, and leadership team were never designed to support the strategy.
That’s why I often encourage clients to ask a different question before launching a search.
Not “Who should we hire?”
But “How should we organize to execute our strategy?”
One exceptional hire rarely fixes an organization.
A well-designed organization enables exceptional leaders to do their best work.
I’ll be watching England vs. Argentina today. But I already know what I’ll be looking for.
Not just the stars. The system around them.
Talent wins moments. Systems win championships.