The former England rugby union coach, Sir Clive Woodward, once shared an anecdote about an unexpectedly delayed diving contest, after an interloper in fancy dress had jumped in the pool.

Woodward described how some competitors became overly anxious, ill-focused and disturbed, while others stayed calm, continued their preparation, and treated these altered circumstances as part of the challenge. Not surprisingly, the latter divers performed much better when the competition resumed.

In a similar vein, Arsenal men’s football manager Mikel Arteta spoke recently about deliberately creating unexpected disruptions for his players as part of their preparation. The Spaniard, whose contract has just been extended by the Premier League champions, explained that he does this to promote greater adaptability among his players, when they have to perform at the highest level under fluctuating real-world circumstances.

Arteta’s tactics include unexpectedly delaying the players’ meals, changing their travel plans, making dressing rooms hotter and reducing the number of massage beds. Another reported example was secretly hiring professional pickpockets at a team dinner, to emphasise the importance of maintaining awareness against opponents known for stealing advantages.

Arteta is not the first elite coach to use such management tactics. But is there any evidence that they work? And should we be adopting similar tactics in our own lives and organisations?

Legendary coaches unsettled their players

Many top sports........

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