Juergen Klopp shocked the world of professional football recently by announcing he would be leaving his post of manager of Liverpool at the end of the season. What surprised commentators was his reason. Klopp said ,” I’m running out of energy”. But should we have been surprised that someone in such a high profile, results driven post should call time whilst still delivering extraordinary success. He is not the first successful manager to indicate that the job has taken all he has to give.
How long can this go on?
How many times can you fight the same battles
In different organisations, with different groups of employees
How many times can you reorganise
Give the same motivating speech
Answer the same questions
Rise above the cynicism
How many different ways can you say the same things
How often can you bounce back from the disappointments and set backs
How many more sacrifices for your career can you expect your family to make
How many nights without sleep
How many long days and late nights
How often can you be there but not present
How many times do you have to be let down before you lose your faith
How much scrutiny and criticism is too much
How long can you wrestle with the bureaucracy
How much have you left to overcome the office politics.
One more time
You worked hard ,harder than you’ve ever worked before, you achieved more than many thought you capable of, as a result we were successful. But this year will be even more challenging and we will have to work even harder.
But I’m not done yet
Whilst there are winnable battles to be fought
Whilst I still have the credibility to lead
Whilst I still have the self belief and desire to make a difference.
The time will come
And when it does I hope I will recognise it
I hope I won’t wait till I’m running on empty.
Blair McPherson former director author and blogger www.blairmcpherson.co.uk
