Exploring Parallels Between Sport Leadership and Organisational Performance

 

Interview – Tony Walmsley and Martin Kerr on Leadership, Change, and Team Dynamics in the context of Asset Management

In this compelling conversation, Martin Kerr interviews Tony Walmsley, a former professional football manager turned leadership advisor, about the intersection between high-performance sport and organizational leadership. Drawing from over 30 years in elite football and his subsequent transition into consultancy, Tony explores the common threads that tie sport and business together—people, performance, and purpose.

The interview reflects on how Tony’s passion for helping individuals and teams achieve beyond what they believe possible continues to shape his work with industry leaders. Through rich analogies, such as asset management being a “team sport,” Tony and Martin delve into the nuances of leadership in complex environments, the dynamics of trust and motivation, and how clarity of purpose can align disparate individuals toward a shared outcome.

With reflections on real-world challenges—ranging from micromanagement to organisational silos—Tony unpacks how emotional readiness, autonomy, and empathy are central to building resilient, high-functioning teams. This conversation provides valuable insight for leaders navigating change, managing performance, and striving to build unity in diverse organisational settings.

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Tony Walmsley (Driving business performance through applied sports thinking)

Martin Kerr (Connecting People with Asset Management)