Anders Torstensson on Building Mjällby’s Kaizen Culture Through Calm, Teamwork and Detail
We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it.
Anders shares how Mjällby’s rise from relegation struggles to cup finalists and champions was built on club-wide structure, kaizen-style continuous improvement, and teamwork rather than one coach’s decisions. He explains creating conditions for intrinsic motivation, training with maximum intensity and game-specific opposition, and obsessing over small efficiencies that compound. He describes using a small staff effectively through delegation, trust and regular feedback surveys, plus monthly meetings with a player council. Adversity—financial constraints, player sales, and his leukemia diagnosis—strengthened resilience and sharpened his process focus on solutions. He emphasizes clarity on core values, selecting good people, staying calm, being fair, and making hard decisions without being harsh.
Q. Do you truly know who you are and what you stand for?
Q. When adversity hits, do I focus on the problem or the solution?
Q. What energy am I bringing to the people around me?
If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com
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