Team selection for World Cup has ended. While it’s never an easy task, this year saw almost every manager struggling to find the optimal balance between skill and experience. Some of the key recruitment takeaways from the World Cup roster selection are:

Future potential > past experience

Not having been selected doesn’t necessarily reflect negatively on the player in question.

If we take the English squad as an example, the exceptional full-back defensive player Ashley Cole was passed over for teenage prodigy Luke Shaw. Cole is a high-performing player in spite of his age with great experience, yet he’s been overtaken by Shaw, a young athlete who is definitely deserving and talented with no World Cup experience under his belt.

During the recruiting process, this dilemma arises often and highlights the tough decisions that need to be made when choosing between inexperienced candidates with great potential and seasoned professionals who bring experience to the table. Not unlike the growth and performance of a soccer team, the keys to success in business growth lie in development, opportunity, and innovation. What many companies often fail to see is that junior level positions are the perfect place to scout your future managers and leaders. Don’t think of them as rank and file – think of them as junior leaders that are getting a ground level view of your company. This way, when they develop the skills and capacity to move into a management role, they already know your business.

In the case of the English squad, if Shaw performs well, team manager Roy Hodgson’s selection will be completely vindicated, and Shaw will have the talent and experience to be a top performer for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. It is essential to enable new recruits and inexperienced hires to fulfill their potential in their new roles.

Leverage experienced team members wisely

Incorporating new talent into sides occurs at virtually every World Cup, as it is a way of helping players to realize what the competition is all about.

However, it’s equally important to have experienced heads who can lead by example and act as mentors to those around them. In fact, this is why it’s possible to justify the inclusion of someone like Frank Lampard in this summer’s soccer squad. While he has not played regularly for Chelsea, he still has the ability and the experience to act as a guide and mentor to others on the team. When the going gets tough, there should be players on the field who know what game-time pressure is like, and who are able to ensure that everyone on the team remains focused during their time in Brazil.

Similarly, new employees at your company should have more experienced teammates to look to for guidance and follow their example. Mentorship within your organization provides talented young employees access to the experience of their colleagues with greater tenure, and gives them a more rounded perspective and understanding of the business’ needs.

Find the right balance

Creating a winning team is all about finding the right balance between attack and defence; new talent and experience.

It’s a situation that is commonplace in many workplaces, as employers look to create teams of people that are capable of meeting dynamic business needs. By ensuring the right people are in the right roles for your team, you’ll set up your company for growth and success.

The key to success in business and the World Cup is the same: building a winning team. For help building your winning team, contact TPD to recruit the right players!