‘I’ll play now…’
An appeal for leadership and decisiveness – from a self-confessed Gladbach fan
I was born in 1973 – the very year in which Günter Netzer wrote one of the most legendary moments in German football history in the cup final between Borussia Mönchengladbach and 1. FC Köln. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to experience the ‘golden age of the Foals’ myself – I only know about it from stories, old pictures and spine-tingling moments. Nevertheless, this one scene has stayed with me to this day and I can still picture it clearly.
After 90 intense minutes, the score is 1-1. Netzer is initially sitting on the substitutes’ bench because he is injured and his coach, Hennes Weißweiler, is very upset about his upcoming transfer to Real Madrid. But when Netzer sees that his teammate Christian Kulik is suffering from cramps and can no longer continue playing, he gets up, runs to his coach and says dryly: ‘I’ll play now.’
What happens next is probably known not only to die-hard Gladbach fans: in the third minute of extra time, after a beautiful one-two with Rainer Bonhof, Netzer fires the ball into the corner from just under 16 metres. The decisive goal for a 2-1 victory!
For me, this scene is more than just football romance. It is a symbol of what leadership means: recognising the moment and acting instead of waiting.
Leadership means recognising the moment
In many companies today, I see situations that remind me of that cup final: processes are slow, bottlenecks are piling up, the individual members of the team are giving their all – but the results are not there. Everyone knows something has to happen – but everyone is waiting for the “coach”, for the signal from above.
This is when courage is needed, especially at management level: don’t wait, but stand up and say, ‘I’ll play now.’
The economic situation: Germany waits – and many stand still
Our economy is currently in such a moment. Growth in Germany is stagnating, decisions are being postponed, and there is a noticeable paralysis of momentum. The ifo Institute reports that the German economy is ‘stuck’, with structural change and uncertainty slowing down both industrial and consumer activity. The result: people are waiting for things to ‘somehow’ get better – instead of actively taking the next step.
In this situation in particular, waiting is not an option. Because the opponent – difficult conditions, changing markets, new competitors – is not sleeping.
Everyone needs a Rainer Bonhof
But even Günter Netzer knew that success rarely comes alone. Without his congenial teammate Rainer Bonhof, with whom he played the decisive one-two, that goal would never have been scored.
In the corporate environment, too, you need this teammate: a partner who understands the game, thinks ahead, sets the pace and recognises passing opportunities. A partner who not only advises you, but also plays alongside you and sometimes goes where it hurts.
At Abels & Kemmner, we see ourselves in exactly this role: we analyse your supply chain, we bring perspective and structure, we are your ‘Bonhof’ at the decisive moment.
Time to act
Leadership does not mean being able to do everything on your own. Leadership means recognising the right moment – and, above all, taking action. If you notice that your processes are no longer running smoothly, that the environment is changing faster than your reactions, that people are often “waiting” instead of doing – then don’t hesitate. Stand up, take responsibility – and get the right players on board.
Because success does not come from waiting. Success comes when someone says, ‘I’m going to play now.’
I look forward to joining you in the game.
