Bench

We often think of the bench as a backup—the reserve for players who didn’t quite make the starting line-up. But the bench holds a unique strategic value that can change the outcome of a match.

Look at Liverpool’s victory over Chelsea in the 2024 Carabao Cup. Young teenage talents from the bench stepped up and made a decisive impact. In championship-capable teams, the bench is not ‘the non-starters,’ ‘the B team,’ or the team to give the starters a rest—it’s about having players who are ready to shift and lift performance and capitalise on strategic moments.  

In the business world, the idea of “bench strength” is equally vital. While it’s easy to focus on the star performers, the real measure of success lies in the depth of talent within your organisation. What is the quality of your bench… now and into the future?

Performance leadership is the awareness and skill in ‘floodlight’ (big picture), ‘spotlight’ (here and now), ‘foresight’ (where are we heading), and ‘greenlight’ (what do we do right now). The bench is key in all these domains.

A strong bench in any team means more than having capable substitutes. It’s about having individuals who bring fresh ideas, energy, skills, and strategic diversity that drive progress at crucial times. The best know it is not just about filling gaps—they’re strategic assets, and this role is clear and visible to them. This is what separates game-capable teams from championship-capable teams.

How do you manage your bench? Are those on the sidelines engaged and ready to contribute, or are they just waiting for their chance to be noticed? The culture of any high-performing team is defined by how well it supports everyone, not just the starters. It’s an environment where every player knows their role, sees their value, and is ready to step up. The bench is longevity and legacy!

The best teams recognise that bench strength is critical. I see many teams miss this. Their aim is to move players to starters rather than sustained high quality on and off the pitch. Game-capable teams often focus on a narrow orbit, while championship-capable teams see a much wider orbit! The same applies in business. A strong bench means having people ready to fill leadership roles, take on new challenges, and bring innovation when it’s needed most. It’s the difference between a team that’s simply capable of performing and one that is creating a legacy.

So, how strong is your bench? How are they treated to bring out their maximum impact?

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