THE UNEXPECTED PLAY: WHEN THE CARD EVERYONE IGNORES BECOMES YOUR WINNING HAND
OPENING GAMBIT (ERÖFFNUNGSZUG)
In Poker spricht man von einer "versteckten Stärke", wenn eine scheinbar wertlose Karte sich plötzlich als Spielentscheider entpuppt. Die erfahrenen Spieler konzentrieren sich auf die offensichtlichen Asse und Könige, während sie die niedrigeren Karten ignorieren – bis diese überraschend einen entscheidenden Stich bringen.
In meiner zunehmend komplexen politischen Situation bei den Bielefeld Bulldogs entdeckte ich meine eigene versteckte Stärke: Das zweite Team – die Entwicklungsmannschaft, die von vorherigen amerikanischen Trainern weitgehend vernachlässigt worden war. Was als einfache Pflichterfüllung begann, entwickelte sich zu einem entscheidenden politischen Kapital, das niemand hatte kommen sehen.
COACHING CORNER
Sometimes the most valuable leadership assets emerge from simply doing what others consider beneath their attention.
When I first arrived in Bielefeld, coaching the Second team wasn't presented as optional—it was clearly part of my contractual responsibilities. American coaches before me had often neglected these duties, viewing development squad work as an unwelcome obligation that distracted from first team success.
I approached it differently, not out of political calculation but from a fundamental coaching philosophy: player development at all levels matters. Every practice with the Second team, I brought the same intensity, preparation, and commitment I gave to the first team. We implemented similar systems, teaching concepts thoroughly rather than treating these sessions as afterthoughts.
What I couldn't have anticipated was how this consistent investment would transform into unexpected political capital when board-level struggles intensified. These overlooked players and their families—who had previously felt marginalized within the club structure—began forming a constituency that identified specifically with my leadership approach.
In organizational politics, your strongest allies often emerge from areas your opponents consider insignificant. While Dale and Sven focused on first team dynamics and import player relationships, I was unwittingly building a support base that would prove crucial when the political game reached its critical phase.
It wasn't calculated strategy—it was principle meeting opportunity. And that's often where the most powerful political capital is born.
CHAPTER PREVIEWS (KAPITELEINBLICK)
Als die politischen Spannungen innerhalb des Vereins zunahmen, begann sich ein unerwartetes Phänomen zu entwickeln. Die Spieler des zweiten Teams – die Entwicklungsmannschaft, die ich neben meinen Aufgaben als Cheftrainer betreute – wurden zu einer wichtigen Unterstützungsbasis. Was als reine Pflichtumsetzung begann, entwickelte sich zu einem bedeutenden politischen Vorteil in einem zunehmend komplexen Machtkampf.
BOOK EXCERPT
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