At Oslo Business Forum, Ole Gunnar Solskjær provided a deep dive into leading strategy, execution, and people. Drawing from his experiences on and off the field, Ole offered valuable insights into perseverance, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Jacob Schram and Ole kicked off their discussion by talking about the leaders they admire. Ole played under Sir Alex Ferguson, whom he respected tremendously and felt deserved the championship they won together.
When asked about the most important thing he learned from Sir Alex as a manager, Ole recounted advice he was given at the start of his first coaching job. “He said, ‘Now you need to step back and observe,’” said Ole. “When you’re in there, you don’t see what’s really happening.”
This experience helped Ole understand the most critical elements of effective leadership: leading strategy, leading execution, and leading people. Jacob and Ole delved deeper into each of these capabilities.
On Leading Strategy
To lead strategy, you first need to create a vision. Ole talked about the moments of passion and togetherness that fuel the culture of any football team. “Those are the moments you live for,” he said.
As both a player and a coach, Ole faced countless teams that seemed unbeatable. The press sometimes described these challenges as mountains in his path, and he said, “Mountains are there to be climbed. Coming back from adversity is part of our DNA.”
Ole worked to establish a winning mindset from the start and consistently reinforced his belief in the team’s abilities. He reminded them that they had trained for this and that they were there for a reason. He broke down the task of winning by setting smaller targets throughout the game.
Jacob observed that young talent had always been an important element of Ole’s strategy. “I believe in youth,” said Ole. “They’re creative, fearless, they push the older ones to get to the next level.” He talked about how Manchester United strategically used their academy to prepare young players, building and nurturing their talent. Their reliance on these players is legendary, with the team putting an academy player in every game since 1937.
"Those who can learn are the ones you want to bring on the journey with you."
Ole noted that leveraging young talent requires taking a calculated risk. He was thoughtful about selecting the players he brought into a game. He likened it to figuring out your attack positions in a company: test young talent where they have the best chance to succeed. Then, they’ll be ready to play the big games. This approach has the added advantage of fostering loyalty to the team.
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a Norwegian professional football manager and former player who most recently managed the Premier League club Manchester United. At Oslo Business Forum, he revealed his approach to guiding teams with empathy, nurturing top talent, and fostering a winning mindset, even in challenging times.
On Leading Execution
In business, turning strategy into action often means getting speed into the organization. It requires focus, but it also calls for having fun. Jacob asked Ole to describe how he struck the right balance between being playful and determined as a leader. “You cannot read a book and learn, ‘If this happens, you have to do this,’” said Ole. “In moments of crisis, you might want to set out a vision, but today, it doesn’t suit the circumstance.”
He reflected on a time when he was told that if he didn’t win the next game, he would be sacked. He was about to face a team they hadn’t won against in 16 attempts. “When I got this message, I was fine with it,” he said. “I do what I believe in.” He recognized, however, that if he lost his job, his staff might, too. So, he went to his players and said, “This time, no messing around.”
“I want to see the best out of people. I like to lead with empathy, but sometimes you have to be strong.”
Ole also commented on the type of behavior that cannot be tolerated on a team. “Selfish behavior is unacceptable,” he said. “It’s a team, so that means together everyone achieves more.” He relentlessly preserved the club's culture, and he believes you should be the same way in business.
On Leading People
The best leaders recognize that culture can be a competitive advantage. Jacon shared a quote from one of Ole’s former players:
“To me, he is a manager who is really good at non-management. He has great values—demanding on one side, but on the other, is easy to talk to. He is interested in his players’ well-being.”
Asked to articulate non-management, Ole described the difference between taking care of business and taking care of people. “For me, it’s about taking care of the people you work with and getting to know them,” he said.
“It’s about self-awareness. Know yourself, what you stand for, what you believe in, know your values, strengths, and weaknesses.”
Ole recounted the importance of transparency to help his players understand why they weren’t playing and reinforce their importance to the team. It’s a practice he learned from his own experience when his coach sidelined him during important games, but he understood he was being reserved for critical moments when he might be needed to achieve a win. “I believe a lot about talking forward and telling people they’ll get their chance. If you can make your employees feel important, that’s a great thing,” he said.
Ole also opened up about some of the most challenging parts of his career, specifically when the team was performing poorly, and it became clear that the end of his tenure was imminent. “It is super difficult to be a manager when you see that progressing,” he said. “I still stuck to my beliefs.”
In life and sports, many factors combine to create great leaders. Ole’s experience demonstrates what it takes to transform culture and performance to win the game. His leadership philosophy underscores the importance of strategy, execution, and people leadership. He reminds us that true leadership is about inspiring others, developing talent, and staying committed to core values, even during tough times. Put any of the strategies he shared into play tomorrow, and you’ll likely win a lot of games.
Key Points
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is a Norwegian professional football manager and former player. His experience reveals to leaders what it takes to transform culture and performance to win the game.
- The most critical elements of effective leadership are leading strategy, leading execution, and leading people.
- Leaders must create a compelling vision and foster a winning mindset. Ole highlighted the importance of facing challenges head-on and breaking down goals into manageable targets.
- Execution requires the right balance of focus and fun. Ole emphasized that in moments of crisis, leaders must be adaptable and clear in communicating with their teams.
- Leading people is about building strong relationships. Ole leans into “non-management,” ensuring he takes care of people, not just business. Ensuring people feel valued builds loyalty and trust.
Questions to Consider
- How can you create a vision that motivates your team to overcome challenges and build a winning mindset?
- Are you taking calculated risks with young or underutilized talent in your organization? How are you nurturing their growth?
- In moments of crisis, how do you adapt your leadership style to ensure the best outcomes for both your team and the organization?
- What steps can you take to make your employees feel valued and ensure they understand their long-term importance to the organization?
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