The Barcelona Way: How to Create a Winning Team

Book Synopsis: FC Barcelona are one of the most successful football clubs in the world. In the four years that Pep Guardiola was in charge they won 14 of a possible 19 trophies – a success rate never matched. However, what makes FC Barcelona’s unique is the winning culture that has delivered sustained success for much longer than the customary four-year cycle of an elite team. Lying at the very heart of their success is how they deal with people and the care and attention given to the environment in which those people are nurtured: practices which are of equal relevance to all organisations trying to channel the activities of their talented individuals for the corporate good. In The Barcelona Way, sports psychologist Damian Hughes reveals the key principles that have defined FC Barcelona’s success and shows how the DNA of a winning team can be successfully applied to any working environment, with dramatic results. They are: Big Picture, Arc of Change, Repetition, Cultural Architects, Authentic Leadership. These are the same principles that are adhered to in successful working environments across any industry. Drawing on interviews with key architects of the culture, as well as his own extensive experience as a sports psychologist working with leading sports and business institutions, Damian Hughes provides unique insights into the crucial issues confronting the modern corporate environment, and shows how the lessons learnt at FC Barcelona can also be applied to develop your own winning culture. ‘A powerful book on the important principles of creating a high performing culture.’ - Eddie Jones, England Rugby Union Head Coach • ‘Barcelona FC is famed for its winning culture. Damian ’s book unravels what that means and gives us pointers to adopt such a philosophy in our daily lives. A winning read.’ - Guillem Balague • ‘Does culture create competitive advantage? Case closed in this compelling analysis of sporting success. Read it.’ - James Kerr, author of Legacy • ‘Damian’s book describes for everyone, the importance of not just any culture but certain types of culture, consistently applied, in driving sustainable performance. In these disruptive times, building a wining culture has never been more important nor Damian’s book more valuable.’ - John Amaechi OBE