The Power of the Collective: Lessons from PSG’s Champions League Win

The Impactful Conversations Effect Podcast

My friend Delphine is one of the most strategic and thoughtful leaders I know. We're both passionate PSG supporters, and in between sharing celebratory memes, we spoke about PSG’s victory over Inter Milan and the deeper significance behind it. Delphine has always believed in the power of working together to achieve a common goal. She leads a team of over 700 employees who operate with a shared vision, producing a world-class product that’s exported globally. The results speak for themselves and we’ll dive into that soon, as Delphine is the final guest this season on The Impactful Conversations Effect Podcast.

But back to PSG. Their historic Champions League win wasn’t just about how they defeated Inter Milan, it was about how Luis Enrique built a team and a mindset grounded in the power of the collective. He moved away from the era of relying on star players (yes, I’m looking at you, Mbappé) and instead instilled a culture of patience, discipline, shared responsibility, and laser focus. PSG’s triumph on Saturday wasn’t just about scoring goals, it was about growth. Under Luis Enrique, PSG didn’t just play; they operated as one.

The old model at PSG was built around star players like Neymar and Mbappé. But when teams are structured around a single person, there’s a ceiling to what can be achieved. Egos have to be managed because that individual is often seen as carrying the weight of the team. It creates imbalance, sidelining other valuable contributors who also have something meaningful to offer. It also places enormous pressure on the so-called star to constantly perform, which is unrealistic—no one can sustain success alone. This dynamic is not limited to sports. It mirrors what we often see in businesses and startups that rely heavily on one key player to drive everything forward. The question then becomes: what happens when that person loses motivation or decides to step away?

Luis Enrique’s philosophy was clear: no one is above the team. Success came through shared responsibility, tactical cohesion, and trust in the system. Every role player had a part to play, and each contribution mattered. In business, the same principle applies. When leaders stop trying to be the star and instead focus on building strong systems and empowering their team, real and sustainable success follows.

Here are my takeaways from this win:

Lesson 1: Build Systems, Not IdolsGreat teams are not built around a single star. You’re not hiring heroes, you’re building a machine where every part has a purpose. Sustainable success comes from creating systems that function with or without any one individual.

Lesson 2: Clarity of Roles Creates Freedom to PerformAt PSG, every player understood their role. That clarity allowed them to move with confidence and purpose. In business, the same applies. When people know exactly what is expected of them, they’re empowered to execute, collaborate, and innovate.

Lesson 3: Humility WinsA humble team, one that respects each other’s strengths and is aligned around a common goal, will always outperform a group of high-performers who can’t work together. Ego-free environments make space for growth, trust, and impact.

Lesson 4: Celebrate the AssistNot every win comes from the person who scores. Behind every goal is a chain of effort. In business, we often reward sales or high-visibility outcomes, but lasting cultures recognise and celebrate collaboration, support, and behind-the-scenes contributions.

As I was thinking through and researching for this post this morning, and genuinely excited to write it, I came across something PSG’s Ousmane Dembélé said before their Champions League win. When asked if he hoped to win the coveted Ballon d'Or, he responded, "Instead of thinking about myself, I’m going to think about the team." He shared that when the coach spoke to him, he told him to take on more responsibility and set an example for the younger players. Dembélé continued, "The important thing is the collective, not individual titles. We’ve never won the Champions League. It’s more important for me to think of the team." That mindset captures the essence of real leadership: putting the group first, leading by example, and prioritising collective success over individual recognition.

Bisous,

Winy

What I’m listening to:

If you haven’t listened to Cathie Urushibata’s episode on The Impactful Conversations Effect podcast yet, you’re missing out. Cathie shares what it means to lead with empathy while managing creative teams, and how her own evolution as a creative professional helped shape her leadership style. From her journey to Shake Shack to her thoughts on mentorship, this episode is full of insight for anyone building something with heart and intention.

Art that is inspiring my creativity:

Discovered through my friend Roderick, Brodie Neill’s work is a masterclass in design that blends form, function and sculpture. His limited-edition furniture pieces are striking, thoughtful, and undeniably beautiful, each one feels like it belongs in a gallery as much as in a home. I’ve been especially obsessed with his chairs lately. I think I need one, like, yesterday.

As always, if you need strategic advice pertaining to Branding, Communications, Digital strategy, or Marketing, or if you want to chat about a new project—or just say hi!—our boutique agency, Deux Creative, is here to help!

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