When it comes to leadership, we often look to the past for guidance and inspiration. One of the most outstanding leaders in history is the legendary Pelé, widely regarded as one of the best footballers of all time. When I learned of his passing from my 15-year-old son, we had a long chat about what he learned from one of his football idols. Here is what Pelé taught me and my son Geremia about leadership — both on and off the field. As an inspirational figure, Pelé’s wisdom can be applied to any situation. From developing a winning mentality to achieving goals and making tough decisions, find out how to apply these lessons to your own life.
Pelé was an inside forward. He was a fantastic playmaker. He was widely regarded as the greatest football player of all time. In 1995, Pele was named the minister of sports. He was also voted World Player of the Century by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS), among many other accolades. On the field, he was famous for his dribbling and passing abilities. But what fascinated young fans most was his uncanny heading ability and how he created pace on the field. In soccer, Pele was known as a leader who led by example. He was a man of few words, but his actions on the field spoke volumes. He wasn’t a bossy teammate. He understood that everyone had their role to play on the team, working together as a cohesive unit. His teammates looked up to him as a leader, and he inspired them to be their best. Football coaches should instill this in their young players from the start.
Here are some leadership lessons that Pele taught us over the years:
Leadership is about more than having all the answers or being in control at all times. It’s about understanding that we are all human beings with unique perspectives. Do we listen to understand, or do we just wait for our turn to speak? Do we see the other person as an ally or an adversary?
These are tough questions to answer, but they are important ones to consider if you want to be an effective leader. And there is no better place to learn about leadership than on the football pitch.
Football is a game of inches. It’s a game of split-second decisions and constant adaptation. There is no room for ego or for taking things personally. At its best, football is a beautiful game of strategic thinking and teamwork.
And nowhere was this more evident than in the work of Pelé. A three-time World Cup winner, Pelé was widely regarded as an outstanding leader.
Pelé understood that leadership is not about individual accolades but about improving those around you. He was always looking for ways to help his teammates, whether setting up a goal or providing encouragement when things got tough. He led by example on and off the pitch, showing everyone that success takes hard work and dedication.
“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”
“The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning.”
“Everything is practice.”
“When you play against dirty players or very tough players, it’s easy to escape because you know what they’re going to do. But when the player is tough but intelligent, it’s much more difficult.”
Pele’s legacy is one of greatness, both on and off the pitch. His leadership style is an invaluable example for all aspiring leaders who wish to inspire those around them. He taught us that leadership isn’t about shouting orders or being a dictator; it’s about empowering others with your vision and motivating them to be their best selves. By embodying these qualities, we can become influential leaders in our own right and achieve far more than we ever thought possible.
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