Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Leadership Masterclass… in what not to do

As a lifelong Manchester United supporter and someone who has advised businesses for most of my adult life, I read with interest and dismay this morning the interview with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, commenting on the problems facing the football club.

‘Not good enough and overpaid’: Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s attack on United players

.........is how The Guardian started their coverage.

There are around 1,000 people who work for the club (reducing rapidly as redundancies take place).

I wonder how they feel, going in to work this morning, and reading the wholesale criticism that Ratcliffe throws around with his very public journey around The Drama Triangle:

Rescuer - "the club would have gone bust without me"

Victim - "even after I put £300m of my own money in"

Persecutor - "and so lousy players (who he names) will be replaced, heads will roll, people will be sacked, facilities will be reduced and prices will go up"

Without even a mention of the Owners who have rinsed the club for years.

It's a Masterclass in the opposite of leadership.

I don't doubt that there are tough decisions to be made.

One basic rule you might want to note Sir Jim - "praise in public, criticise in private" - if you want to get your people on your side.