Liverpool FC recently dominated a discussion regarding this past British football season, those who follow soccer would know why.

The panel of pundits debated the season, especially the drama which unfolded over the last four weeks. Spare a thought for the Liverpool players and supporters the panel host empathised and try to imagine how they would be feeling after being primely placed for immortality should they have won all trophies on offer, only to end the season with one.

Then the host asked a journalist which trophy he thought Liverpool would have most wanted to win. The one you win is the most important, was the journalists reply. Dwelling on what might have been is counter-productive and prolongs the agony.

It may not have been the one you wanted, but the one you win is the most important. You need to flick thoughts of despondency to those of gratitude and it’s what he believes the Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, would have done.

Leaders will take the win any day and remind their team of such. It may not erase the disappointment for lost opportunities although it does provide some perspective to hopefully alleviate dropped shoulders and self-inflicted memories.

Let me take this further.

Wherever there is a ‘winner’, there will be a ‘loser’. Agreed? Not necessarily for good leaders as they will find a way for the team to ‘win’. Good leaders recognise this trait and imbue it within their philosophy.

One such coach was the legendary basketball coach John Wooden who lived his life on principles. He never spoke about winning and said that the best competition you have is against yourself, to become better. All he demanded was that you give your all, and you can’t ask for more than that.

When you look at your players at the end of the match/event/deadline all you should demand from them is their acknowledgement that they gave of their best.

Take this approach and let the score take care of itself!

I am the author of Leading Self and Others (how to make a difference where you are with what you’ve got) and Teaming with ideas (life lessons in teams- from business, sport and parkrun). You can contact me here.