You tell them that all your experience tells you this is the best

Host: The soft murmur of the café seemed to fade as Jack and Jeeny sat, the conversation shifting into something more reflective. Jack stirred his coffee absentmindedly, looking across at Jeeny, who was clearly lost in thought, pondering something she had just read.

Jeeny: “I came across something today, Jack. A quote from Carlo Ancelotti: ‘You tell them that all your experience tells you this is the best way to beat this particular opposition. You persuade them and you drill them, and you tell them so many times they can hear you when they go to sleep. Then, on the day of the game, you stand on the touchline and hope to God that it works.’”

Jack: He smiled slightly, clearly appreciating the raw honesty in Ancelotti’s words. “That’s a pretty real take on coaching. He’s talking about the faith you have to have in your preparation. All that work you put in — drilling the team, getting them ready — and then it’s out of your hands. You’ve done all you can, and on the day of the game, you’re just hoping it all comes together.”

Jeeny: “Yes, exactly. It’s a reminder of the uncertainty that comes with any kind of leadership. No matter how much experience you have or how much you prepare, there’s always that unknown factor when you put it all into action. Ancelotti’s describing that vulnerable moment when you’ve done everything you can to influence the outcome, but in the end, it’s up to the team to execute and the game to unfold.”

Host: The quiet between them deepened, and Jack seemed to consider how Ancelotti’s words could apply not just to sports but to any leadership role — from coaching to business, or even personal life. The concept of preparation meeting uncertainty resonated deeply.

Jack: “It makes sense, though, doesn’t it? As a coach, or in any leadership role, you can control the preparation, the tactics, the strategy. But when it comes down to the moment of truth, you have to trust that the people you’ve guided will execute. There’s an element of faith in the process, in your team, in your own judgment.”

Jeeny: “Exactly. It’s about preparing your team so well that they don’t just understand the plan, but believe in it, too. You want them to trust that they’ve been drilled enough that it becomes second nature. But even then, there’s still an element of hope, that everything will fall into place when the moment comes.”

Host: The weight of the conversation lingered in the air as Jack reflected on the role of preparation and the delicate balance of control and uncertainty. It wasn’t just about coaching; it was about trusting the process, and having faith that the groundwork laid would lead to success, even when outcomes were beyond control.

Jack: “It’s almost like accepting that you can’t control everything. You can prepare, plan, and coach, but the outcome still depends on how everything comes together in the moment. It’s not just about what you know, but how your team adapts to the situation.”

Jeeny: “Yes, and it’s a reminder that success isn’t just about the work you put in ahead of time, but about the trust you place in the people around you — whether it’s a team, colleagues, or partners. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels prepared and capable, and then stepping back to let them perform.”

Host: The café had grown quieter as the evening unfolded. Jack and Jeeny had found a shared understanding in Ancelotti’s words: the combination of preparation, trust, and uncertainty. In life, as in sports, we can only control so much. The rest is about believing in the process, in the people we work with, and letting go enough to allow the outcome to unfold.