I am often inspired by those moments in the beautiful game when the team that comes out on top, was seen at first viewing to be 'the least of these' – the un-fancied, under-estimated non-starter who went on to topple top opposition. Their achievements remind us that it’s not always the size of the dog that determines the outcome of an encounter, but the size of the bite in the dog, namely, internal psychological characteristics often unseen by onlookers. So, what might these internal psychological characteristics be and how might we use them to our advantage?

View of self – just because one might not have the pedigree, history of success, reputation, and status of the top dog, doesn’t mean that you have nothing going for you. On the contrary, you have skills that when put to their optimum use can give you an unsuspected and surprising advantage. It helps to see yourself, and your resources, however small they may be, as having giant-toppling potential.

 
View of others – just because the team you are up against have form, numerous successes, and titles and accolades to speak of, doesn’t mean that they can’t be overcome, that they are invincible. It can be helpful to see opposition as surmountable; that they can be beaten, with the right strategy.

View of the current situation – the situation you are in is a unique one, it’s a now opportunity, unrelated to what might have happened before. Thus, it’s about what you make of the chance you have today. Granted, you may have lost many previous encounters with the same opponent, but the outcome of today’s encounter is yet to be decided. Just because you haven't yet, doesn't mean you never will! On your day, you can be on top form, and your formidable opponent might have an off day. If you bring into the moment what you have learned from the previous encounters, rather than the memory that you lost them, you have knowledge and experience that could work for you.  

How top dogs might view underdogs – when others look at you as being small fry, insignificant, and not to be taken seriously, as there is a tendency for top dogs to do to underdogs, they are underestimating you and the situation, and are playing too close to the perilous edge of complacency and arrogance, which is to your advantage. When they lower their guard because of their low opinion of you, they play into your hands and allow you to slip by unnoticed.

How top dogs might view themselves – there is a danger top achievers must guard against and that is to see themselves as inevitable winners, with little about their game that needs improving. Such an attitude wrongly concludes that there is nothing to learn or prepare for, that they have enough within themselves to successfully handle the underdog, because they are superior in skills, history, and reputation, and the odds are hugely in their favour. Such an attitude is responsible for many a downfall.

How top dogs might view the situation – they might expect the outcome to be successful like their many previous encounters and therefore come unprepared for this encounter. An encounter that the underdog has risen to and prepared for, as a chance to finally get one over on their formidable opposition.

Play to your strengths, play your own game, not theirs – you are likely to lose if you go toe to toe with an opponent who is in another league, and possesses elite level skills. You can’t play them at their own game, you have a better chance at victory when you bring your best self and your unconventional style of play, something that perhaps frustrates their game play. For example, whilst your playing style might lack the sophistication they possess, your dogged approach, team spirit, brave heart, boldness and never give up mentality, could be the thing that counters their technical and tactical superiority.

 
Exploit their weakness – while top dogs have many skills, the very thing that is a superior strength also contains the seeds to their defeat. For example, as in the beautiful game, their towering defenders who are adept at dealing with aerial balls, can be overcome on the ground by nifty and tricky forwards who have a low centre of gravity.

Work on building your own confidence - by identifying the skills and qualities that can help you succeed. Work on your game rather than trying to copy someone who has superior resources gathered over many years.

Own your current status -  the ability to be humble, empathetic, and understanding are emotionally intelligent skills that you can develop when you’re starting out and don’t have any of the big names pulling strings for you. People connect to people when they are open, honest, and authentic and have a story to tell about overcoming against the odds, and often prefer to back the little guy who took on the big conglomerate and won. Being transparent about your status or vulnerabilities as a business can help consumers connect with you better - your story of struggle might remind them of their own.

Under the radar - being under the radar means that the top dog didn’t see you coming; didn’t take you seriously and therefore had no plan to deal with you and what you have going for you. Don’t be put off if you are underestimated and dismissed as someone not to be taken seriously. Keep doing what you do, keep honing what you do behind closed doors, unseen and unnoticed by talent spotters, until your moment of unveiling catches them unawares.

 
People rarely expect underdogs to succeed and tend to back proven winners.  They tend to put their time, money, and interest behind the form team. This is an underdog advantage. While it is understandable to want to attract the attention of people who can put time, money, and interest behind you, if you are able to succeed without their investment, you are making a statement about what you are capable of without them. They are likely to pay attention and want in on what you are doing when your simple manner is making waves in the marketplace. 

You are expected to fail – and therefore you have nothing to lose. Because of this you don’t fear losing. You are not burdened by the expectation of victory. You don’t have to worry about who is working hard to topple you and who wants your scalp. You don’t have to worry about who will be disappointed or shocked by your loss. You have no reputation to defend. If you lose, it’s what was expected therefore no surprises there, however, if you win, then you are celebrated for your giant-toppling achievement. Free from the expectation of victory, you are free to do what you do best, to enjoy the occasion but not be overawed by it. People maybe pleasantly surprised by what you were able to do, even if you don’t secure the win.

You are open to learning - to trying new things. You can afford to experiment while you build your team, and perfect your way.

The expectations you have are above and beyond what you and others expected. Thus while others expect the top team to win, you are happy to have had the opportunity to participate. At the very least you have something to tell the grandchildren, even if it the occasion ended in defeat. How you competed on the big stage, against some top players and lost! 

To prove the naysayers wrong - this can be a great source of motivation for underdogs, silencing the doubters who said you can’t and never will, especially the backers who had the means to help but turned you down when you needed their support at a critical moment in the game of your life. 

While it is possible for the underdog to come out on top, the outcome often goes to form - the top team usually wins out. The assets of the underdog do not always translate to success when up against superior might, skills, ability, and resources. Notwithstanding, it is important to disrupt this trend, to at least win one if you can’t win them all, and to build from there. Perhaps the thing that the underdog must first overcome is not their external opponent but their internal adversary. By seeking support to silence self-doubt and imposter syndrome, you are strengthening your core to deal with external opponents.  Besides, because people like to emotionally back the underdog, you will have people in your corner hoping that your success against the odds inspires others to do the same.

Tony

 
Tony Bryce

Series Creator & Head Coach

For information about how Tony could help you with your game, visit https://www.thetacticscoach.com/

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