Mind you, how different is the life of a politician to the life of a football coach - or the life of a footballer, business manager, CEO of an oil company, entrepreneur...?
Following on from my last blog about the role communication played for the winners and losers in the World Cup 2010, it's been amazing reading former Labour Business Secretary Peter Mandelson's autobiography excerpts in The Times. Whilst politics seems a world away from the football, actually it's pretty similar.You'll remember I suggested Spain seemed to go into last Sunday's final intending to win, whereas The Netherlands intended not to lose - only a small difference, though it was the difference that made the difference in the match, especially for the team that finally won.
Whilst Peter Mandelson's memoirs are very much his own account and from his point of view, what he says loud and clear is how Tony Blair wanted to be Prime Minister and run the country - and whether we agreed with him or not, he always spoke of a 'higher purpose'. He was known for being courteous and inspirational, a good leader to work for and with. Gordon Brown on the other hand, wanted Tony Blair to not be Prime Minister - to the point, the book suggests, that it became his obsession. Whilst speaking publicly of high morals and integrity, he was also famously know for being abusive, difficult, and with a temper like no other.
Now look at the results of both political careers; Tony Blair won 3 General Elections, even when there was an unpopular war and the media disliked his relationship with 'spin'. Gordon Brown on the other hand, was never actually elected leader of the Labour Party, and when he did face a General Election, he lost.
In NLP it's suggested there are two basic forms of motivation; pain and pleasure - if something is uncomfortable enough we'll strive to move away from it, and equally if something is attractive enough we'll work well to move toward it.
In life it's usually a balance between the two positions. However, whilst 'pain' is a potent motivation in the short term, 'pleasure' will always win through. Why? Because for the longer game to succeed there needs to be that light at the end of the tunnel.
A good question to ask yourself in your business and personal life is: 'what game am I playing? Is it the one to win, or the one to not lose'?
The difference can make all the difference.
Oh, and Peter Mandelson for England coach? Not really. Let's stick with Fabio Capello - whilst the England team had a terrible World Cup, Capello has a great philosophy, one that will support him throughout, and that's to win.
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