“If you want to win, you have to be eleven friends” – this is a saying which every football fan can surely understand. But there’s much more to it than that and success on the pitch requires many different mechanisms to come together. The actual playing is simply the technical foundations on which everything else is based. Dribbling skills are one thing, but motivation, dedication, enthusiasm and inventive play are equally as important. Money alone isn’t enough to win the title – it’s the team spirit which makes all the difference.

Susanne Pilz, the successful manager of the ad pepper team from Nuremberg, Germany, likes to use football as a metaphor when talking about her management style. “My organigram is a football field. That means that I position everyone exactly where I think they would perform best for themselves and the team.”

Good managers can recognise the qualities of their players/employees even when this is often (still) unclear to the individual team members themselves. They can anticipate things which some “players” still need to discover. In particular, this includes leadership responsibilities which are consciously demanded of someone who the manager believes is up to the job.

Is it best to choose a team captain or to maintain flat hierarchies?

The pepper team uses flat hierarchies, as this is the most fun way of getting the creative juices flowing, while ensuring everyone keeps their eyes on the ball. It’s not about winning the title, but about dedication and success. “You gain respect through the performance you put in and not through winning the title,” says Susanne Pilz.
But hierarchies can be very useful whenever someone takes the helm, assumes responsibility or leads the way. Managing requires attentiveness and time, with at least 20 to 30 percent of the working day being given over to the task. Hierarchies are a necessary part of good management. And this is exactly what the players require of their team captain. Susanne Pilz: “Managers often stand out, in which case the title is almost a formality. Others are not the doers or the stars on the football field, but may nevertheless be born leaders.”

The next time you visit a company’s website, take a look around their team and careers pages and this will probably tell you a lot about their team culture and management style. “It’s nice when you can’t immediately recognise who is the boss and who is the intern,” says Susanne Pilz. With the exception of the goalkeeper and the captain with their armband, everyone on the football field is equal. How would the flow of play and goal rate, etc. change if there were hierarchies in place?

ad pepper’s team culture

“Our team has a very positive view of our company culture. Everyone here has the confidence to propose new ideas and to share their opinion. This enriches our team and makes a huge difference. Our workplace feels very friendly and informal because the senior staff don’t dominate proceedings,” says Susanne Pilz confidently, reflecting on all the experience she has had over the years.
Many of her management methods are inspired by the new work principle. “What I love most about the new work principle is that it puts employees centre stage,” explains Susanne Pilz. This builds trust by creating a sense of togetherness both on and off the pitch.
This philosophy is not only reflected in how all the team members interact with each other, but also in how the office is furnished. Form follows function – in line with this principle, the desks, meeting rooms and relaxation areas have all been designed with the employees in mind. Does someone in the team like working with pen and paper from time to time instead of always using a laptop or tablet? That’s no problem! The large paper banners in ad pepper’s office provide plenty of space for staff to map out their ideas, write for and against lists or simply scribble things down as part of the creative process.
A change of scenery can also do wonders for the brain, which is why employees can just pick up their laptop and work on one of the cosy sofas in the corner if they need to. This TV corner is also an ideal place for team members to let off some steam by playing a round or two of Mario Kart.

Can you feel the thirst to win?

The desire to win must always be greater than the fear of losing. When you are trying to earn a living, it is sometimes easy to lose sight of the fact that it’s all in the game. But doesn’t keeping things playful and light actually drive us to perform to our best? You have to be eleven friends… and your manager is the driving force behind your success, positions the players, formulates the strategy and cheers you on from the sidelines. Everyone has a role to play and has their own specific qualities, allowing them to make a valuable contribution to a brilliant game.