Paul Warne: MK Dons boss on lessons learned in his career

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OrbitAlpha

MK Dons boss Paul Warne on coping with impostor syndrome, the NFL's influence on his coaching methods and what motivates him to keep going despite exhaustion.

As Warne prepares for his 450th game as a manager, approaching four promotions behind him, it is perhaps unusual that he still finds himself affected by feelings of being an "impostor". Despite being one of the most experienced managers in League Two with over 40 years of experience, he admits to struggling with self-doubt. "I suffer from impostor syndrome quite a lot," Warne revealed.

"I didn't turn pro until I was 23 so I never 100% believed I was good enough to be a professional footballer... but weirdly that motivated me to train harder than anybody else." This sentiment highlights the psychological impact of his playing career, where he was kept by his Scottish manager in non-league at Diss Town.

Warne has found ways of coping with these feelings, which include reading leadership books and listening to podcasts. His biggest influence comes from the NFL, and he 'steals' ideas from it that help him improve his coaching methods. For example, he gave his players a "Victory Monday" when they win a game, as the American teams do - giving them an extra day off during the closed season.

One of Warne's most important strategies is to surround himself with good people. His chief lieutenants are Richie Barker and Darren Potter, who manage the team effectively while he focuses on relationships with his players and staff. "At times, they don't even need me here," Warne joked. "If I wasn't here for a week, no one would notice."

Warne's priority is to win a fifth promotion, but the burden of responsibility takes its toll. He admits that after each game, he goes into his office to lock the door and have 10 minutes of silence. The thought of seeing his kids playing in the final game sends him immense joy.

Winning promotion has always motivated Warne - even if it's just a small step towards his ultimate goal. With the support of the chairman and his own drive, he will stop at nothing to take MK Dons somewhere they have never been before.
 
I gotta say 🤔, Paul Warne's openness about his impostor syndrome is super inspiring! As someone who's also struggled with self-doubt, it's refreshing to see a high-profile figure like him being honest about it 💪. I love how he's found ways to cope with those feelings, like reading leadership books and listening to podcasts 📚💻. And the idea of "Victory Monday" is genius 😂! It's all about creating a positive atmosphere for his players, right? I'm curious, though - does anyone ever tell Warne that he's doing a great job? 💬👊
 
You know, I think its pretty cool that Paul Warne is still struggling with impostor syndrome after all these years 😂. I mean, 40+ years of experience in the game and you're still feeling like an imposter? That just goes to show that we're all human and we can all relate to those feelings.

I love how he's found ways to cope with it though - reading leadership books and listening to podcasts are great tools for growth 📚. And I'm also a fan of the "Victory Monday" idea, who wouldn't want an extra day off after winning a game? 🤣

But what really gets me is how he's surrounded himself with good people who keep him grounded 😊. It's clear that his team is more than just a business for him, it's a family.

And I have to say, I'm a bit jealous of his mindset when it comes to winning promotions 🏆. For Warne, its not just about winning, its about seeing the impact it has on people's lives - whether thats his players or his kids playing in the final game... it gives me chills 💕
 
I think its pretty cool that Paul Warne is still struggling with impostor syndrome despite being an experienced manager 🤯. I mean, who doesn't doubt themselves sometimes? 😊 It's actually a testament to how mentally tough he is that he can admit it and use it as motivation to keep pushing forward 💪.

I love how he's taken inspiration from the NFL to improve his coaching methods - it shows you don't have to be limited by your own experience or background 📚. And its awesome that he prioritizes winning promotions, even if they're not huge ones for him 🏆.

But what I think is most inspiring is how much it means to him to see his kids playing in the final game - that's what motivates him to keep going, despite exhaustion 😌. He genuinely cares about making a difference in their lives and that's something we can all get behind ❤️.
 
man 450 games is crazy!! 🤯 i feel like warne is still downplaying himself tho - all those years in non-league must've had some serious impact on him lol anyway gotta love his "victory monday" idea tho 🤣 that's so american it's british now 💪 gotta give credit to his team too, having people around him who can handle things while he focuses on the players is key 🔑 my biggest motivation for taking on a project or DIY task is just thinking about how good it'll feel when its done 😌
 
🌞 I mean, can you blame Paul Warne for feeling like an impostor? 🤣 450 games is crazy! And yeah, it's awesome that he found a way to cope with those feelings by reading leadership books and listening to podcasts. 😊 The NFL influence is also a cool thing - who knew they were such great role models for football coaches?! 🏈 I love the idea of Victory Monday too, what a fun way to celebrate wins! 💪 And it's so sweet that he prioritizes his relationships with his players and staff, giving them space when they need it. That kind of support system is key to success. 💕
 
You know, I think its pretty cool how Paul Warne is still feeling like an "impostor" even after all these years of experience... 🤔 It shows that even the most seasoned coaches can't help but question themselves. But what's really inspiring is how he's found ways to cope with those feelings, like reading leadership books and listening to podcasts. And I love how he's taken inspiration from the NFL - who knew coaching football could learn something from American football? 🏈 It just goes to show that there's always room for growth and improvement, no matter what level you're at. Anyway, 450th game is a big deal, and it's awesome that he's still motivated to win a fifth promotion... 💪
 
I gotta feel for this guy 🤗, 450th game and still got impostor syndrome? That's wild considering all his experience. I think it's awesome that he's found ways to cope like reading leadership books and listening to podcasts. The idea of "Victory Monday" is actually pretty cool 😂, who wouldn't want a day off after winning? Surrounding himself with good people is key, you can tell he values his relationships with his players and staff. But I get why the pressure takes its toll, having kids playing in the final game would be surreal 🎉. Winning promotions isn't just about achieving goals, it's also about personal satisfaction - hope Warne gets there soon! 💪
 
I feel him 🤔. Been there with those impostor vibes myself. You'd think after achieving so much, you've got it all figured out, but nope 😅. It's like you're still trying to prove yourself over and over again. What I find inspiring is how Warne uses the NFL as an influence - it shows that even in different sports, there are universal principles that can be applied. And yeah, getting that extra day off after a win? Genius 👏. Surrounding yourself with good people makes all the difference too.
 
🤯 I mean can you even relate?! This guy's been in the game for over 40 years and still feels like an impostor? 😂 Like, what a human experience, right? It's crazy how football managers are still affected by those feelings of inadequacy. I think it's awesome that he's found ways to cope with it - reading leadership books and listening to podcasts is actually pretty cool.

But you know what really got me? When he said "At times, they don't even need me here" 😂👊. Like, isn't that the ultimate compliment?! To have a team that's so confident in their leaders, it's almost like you're invisible. It's just crazy to think about how much trust is required from both the players and the manager.

And I love that he prioritizes his personal life - taking time for himself after each game is actually super healthy. I mean we all need our 'me time', right? 💆‍♂️ But seriously, this guy's drive and motivation are truly inspiring. He won't give up on his team until they reach their ultimate goal 🏆💪
 
I gotta say, I'm surprised Paul Warne is open about impostor syndrome 🤯. I mean, it's not something that's usually talked about in football circles. But, honestly, it makes sense. The pressure to perform and the fact that he didn't turn pro until 23 must be tough on him.

I think what's interesting is how he's coping with it by reading leadership books and listening to podcasts 📚. That's actually a pretty cool way to deal with self-doubt. And, yeah, getting inspiration from the NFL is weird, but hey, it works for him.

One thing that really stood out to me was when he said his players don't even need him there sometimes 😂. That's so true. As a manager, you can only do so much before your team takes over and makes their own decisions. But, in all seriousness, Warne seems like someone who genuinely cares about his players and staff.

The fact that he finds joy in the thought of seeing his kids playing in the final game gives me hope 🎉. It's clear that winning promotions isn't just about him, it's about giving back to his family and making a difference in their lives.
 
Im not sure about this whole impostor syndrome thing... seems like everyone's trying to convince us we're not good enough lol 🤔 anyway, gotta give credit to Paul Warne for staying in the game despite feeling like an imposter all these years. 450 games and still going strong? that's dedication 💪 from what i can gather, he's got some solid strategies down pat - surrounding himself with good people and reading leadership books are def some good moves. but, gotta ask, why did it take him this long to acknowledge the feelings of self-doubt? seems like a lot of us struggle with that in our own careers 💼
 
🤯 I can totally relate to Paul Warne's struggles with impostor syndrome 🙅‍♂️. As a manager myself (just kidding 😂), I know how it feels to doubt your abilities, even after years of experience. But what's inspiring is how he's found ways to cope - reading leadership books and listening to podcasts 📚👂. And it's hilarious how he's adopted NFL habits like "Victory Monday" 🏈😄!

What I find really motivating about Warne's approach is that he prioritizes his team's success, but also takes care of himself. Giving himself time for silence and reflection after each game is a great way to recharge 💆‍♂️. And it's beautiful how his kids' involvement keeps him motivated - there's no greater joy than seeing your little ones achieve their goals 🎉.

I'm curious, though, what Warne thinks is the key to sustained success? Is it just about finding good people around you (he does seem to have an awesome team 😊), or is there something more at play?
 
🤯 I mean, who wouldn't feel like an impostor when you're 450 games into your career? It's actually kinda inspiring that Warne is still honest about it 😅. His experience as a player definitely gave him a chip on his shoulder and motivation to work harder. The idea of "Victory Monday" from the NFL is genius btw, why not?! 🏈💪
 
I feel Warne is actually pretty relatable here... I mean, 450 games in, you'd think he's got it down, but the impostor syndrome thing? That just goes to show even experienced people like him can't escape those doubts. He's found some good coping mechanisms, like reading leadership books and listening to podcasts, but it's cool how he's taken inspiration from the NFL to improve his coaching methods 🏈📚.

I think what I find most inspiring is that despite feeling exhausted, Warne still prioritizes winning promotions as a way to motivate himself. It shows that his drive hasn't wavered over the years, even with all the pressure and responsibility that comes with it. That's got to be tough to maintain, but if anyone can do it, it's Paul Warne 💪!
 
omg i can relate to warne's impostor syndrome tbh its like u r doin gr8 but ur mind is all "no u r just winging it lol" 🤣 also idk how he copes with exhaustion tho his "victory monday" thing sounds lit tho i wanna try that with my mates 👍 warne's prioritizing his team & staff 2 which is so important, u can't win promotions w/o good ppl around u 💯
 
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