Focus Points #1
Insights for professionals and organisations working in women’s football — from career navigation and leadership lessons to strategies that strengthen the structures behind sustainable growth.
In this edition, we asked Dr David McHugh of Washington Spirit to offer some advice for those moving into elite women’s sport:
3 Tips for Adapting to New Roles or Cultures in Elite Sport
Understand that you can’t “change” culture.
People often think you can change a culture, but I don’t fully agree. You can evolve it but there’s far too much outside one person’s control. The club’s history, investment, location, staffing, and player personalities all shape the culture.
Focus on the journey, not just definitions.
I focus less on defining “our” culture and more on going on a journey together. When teams try to define their culture at the start, they often narrow it down to a few values that reflect leadership more than the wider group. Instead, I encourage everyone to explore what matters most to them both individually and collectively as the season unfolds.
Embrace evolution over prescription.
Rather than defining who we want to become before knowing what challenges we’ll face, we embark on a journey of discovery. Our values then become tools for overcoming challenges and seizing opportunities. This mindset shift creates space for continuous evolution and a richer understanding of what drives the team. We use specific exercises throughout the year to guide this process and weekly reflections to reinforce it.
Which of these focus points feels most relevant to your current role or organisation? We’d love to hear how you’re applying it in practice.
Share your reflections here or email our Head of Talent & Partnerships at francesca@formationgoals.com.