Hi Reader

Well we're truly back to the grindstone now after the Christmas and New Year festivities.

One thing I've committed to doing in 2025 is to meet at least one new person, face-to-face, each week across 2025.

And in today's edition there's someone I'd like you to meet.

A guy you've likely never heard of; but someone whose work can teach you some valuable experiences to bring into your own coaching, management or business world.

Have you ever heard of Claus Riedel?

This is well worth 4 minute of your time; the story of Claus Riedel is a masterclass in the power of seeing the overlooked supported with a few 'Left Field Suggestions' from myself to breathe life into the insights...let's push on.

Your Read Time today is = 4 minutes..Remember to connect with me on social channels like X and Instagram​

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Sports Leadership - Crystal Clear Perspective

Claus Riedel revolutionised the glassware industry by transforming the way people experienced wine. His groundbreaking innovation was rooted in the idea that the shape of a wine glass could significantly influence the taste and aroma of the wine.

While traditional glassware was largely functional and uniform, Riedel introduced specialised, varietal-specific glasses designed to enhance the sensory experience of different types of wine.

In the 1950s, Riedel's approach was bold and unprecedented. He focused on combining art and science, using elegant, thin-stemmed, and machine-blown glasses that were aesthetically refined and performance-oriented. His designs reflected a deep understanding of how wine interacts with air and the human palate, creating glasses that allowed drinkers to fully appreciate the nuanced characteristics of each varietal.

But, Riedel’s work didn't just improve the wine-drinking experience; it also created an entirely new market segment. His products appealed to wine enthusiasts who wanted to showcase their sophisticated taste and knowledge, positioning his glassware as a symbol of connoisseurship. By marketing the idea that true appreciation of fine wine required the right glass, he added a layer of cultural and social prestige to wine drinking, making Riedel glasses essential for those aspiring to be part of the elite "cognoscenti."

Now you're likely thinking, "all very interesting Paul, but what's the point?"

Stick with me.

Through this innovation, Riedel not only expanded the glassware market but also elevated the wine industry itself, linking the sensory experience of wine to its presentation. His work stands as a classic example of how innovation and understanding consumer psychology can transform an existing market into something far more complex and valuable.

His attention to detail and commitment to excellence transformed wine tasting into a refined art. As sports leaders, we can draw valuable parallels from Riedel's approach to elevate our teams, clubs and organisations.

1. The Shape of the Experience Defines the Outcome

• Insight: Claus Riedel recognized that the shape of the wine glass fundamentally altered the taste and aroma of the wine. It wasn’t the wine that changed—it was how it interacted with the glass.
• Sports Leadership Lesson: The structure and environment you create dictates how talent performs. Athletes don’t just operate within teams; they interact with the culture, rituals, and systems designed by the leader.
  • Think of team culture as the “glass” that shapes performance. Is it helping talent shine, or is it dulling its potential?
  • Left-Field Suggestion: Redesign one seemingly minor interaction (e.g., post-game meetings, warm-up routines) to intentionally shape the "feel" of the experience, creating an environment that elevates emotional and mental engagement.

2. Luxury Isn’t About Cost, It’s About Context

• Insight: Riedel didn’t just sell glassware; he sold a story. His glasses weren’t expensive because they were made of rare materials; they were expensive because he convinced people that they mattered.
• Sports Leadership Lesson: The value of what you provide to your team doesn’t depend solely on resources but on the meaning you attach to those resources. What if pre-game speeches, jerseys, or even training sessions were reframed as sacred rituals that elevated the team's identity?
  • Left-Field Suggestion: Identify a mundane team activity and reframe it as a moment of prestige or exclusivity e.g. introduce a "legacy jersey" ceremony where an athlete receives a team jersey in a symbolic handover tied to past legends.

3. Precision Isn’t Logical—It’s Emotional

• Insight: Riedel’s precision in glass design wasn’t about convincing sommeliers with data; it was about creating an emotional transformation in the wine-drinking experience. He elevated wine tasting by appealing to how it felt rather than hard science alone.
• Sports Leadership Lesson: In your team/club, precision shouldn't mean over-relying on analytics or objective measures. Instead, leaders should focus on emotional and sensory details that connect athletes to their craft in a deeper way.
  • Left-Field Suggestion: Use sensory cues (lighting, music, textures) to prime your team before games or training, creating an emotional state that feels sharper and more prepared. Precision in emotion often outweighs precision in data.

4. Teach People to See the Invisible

• Insight: Before Claus came along, no one thought glass shape mattered. By teaching consumers about its importance, he didn’t just sell a product—he created a more discerning audience.
• Sports Leadership Lesson: The greatest leaders teach their teams to notice what others overlook; whether it’s details in performance, habits of the competition, or even dynamics within the group. A leader’s role isn’t just to coach but to cultivate awareness.
  • Left-Field Suggestion: Create a weekly challenge for athletes to spot “invisible wins” (e.g., moments of great communication, subtle improvements, unnoticed contributions). Build a culture of noticing and rewarding the unseen.

Did you spot any other lessons or learnings from the Claus Riedel story?

I'd love to hear from you. What other "glass shape" moments have you had or come across recently that provide vital lessons? Email me at paul@theleaders.coach and share them please.

If you are enjoying 'Fine Lines' please share it with a fellow leader who might need a creative spark.

Finally, if you’re hungry for more sports leadership insights, check out my YouTube channel: Paul Clarke - The Leaders Coach.

Let’s connect: On X and Linkedin - #Leadership #LeadershipDevelopment

Another Newsletter you might find useful....

The Learning Engine By Nathan Belcher, Ed.D. We teach you the principles of learning, helping you understand and apply the principles of learning in your leading, coaching, and teaching. By using the principles of learning, your leading, coaching, and teaching will be more effective! Subscribe​

A Master's Voice....

It's the punch you don't see that does the most damage. Think about it, isn't being ready and ensuring a high level of readiness in all your people/team something that invokes confidence and assurance? Getting upstream of issues and potential issues helps pattern recognition - and that paves the way for keeping your head on the performance battle-ground when everyone else is losing theirs.

Thank you for being part of the Leaders Coach community. The work on how to lead better is something you have to do alone. But you don't have to do it on your own. Onward and Upward, Paul Clarke

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