In some respects, a top-level college coach is a lot like a manager in any business. He has to turn a group of talented individuals into a smoothly running team, and he has to produce results that please the fans of his team--the shareholders of the athletic program. Thus, in Leading with the Heart, Krzyzewski reviews the lessons he's learned as basketball coach at Duke University, and tries to universalize them so they translate to any leadership position. For example, he writes, "Adjustments are not unusual, they are usual. So a leader's ability to think on his feet ... to do things without instruction ... is of paramount importance." Makes sense, as does this admonition: "When teaching, always remember this simple phrase: 'You hear, you forget. You see, you remember. You do, you understand.'"The book has four sections--"Preseason," "Regular Season," "Postseason," and "All-Season"--and each of those has four chapters. Each chapter begins with three quotes ("Too many rules get in the way of leadership" leads off chapter 1), and ends with bulleted tips summing up the chapter's message. Between the quotes and the bullet points are anecdotes about Duke basketball games and (occasionally) Krzyzewski's life outside basketball. What you come away with is an understanding of why Krzyzewski is a great basketball coach, why former Duke assistants such as Tommy Amaker and Quin Snyder are probably going to become great basketball coaches, and how anyone who's currently a coach can become a better coach. It would be great if other types of managers in other types of businesses could incorporate these lessons in compassionate, focused, highly flexible leadership, but it seems unlikely. Most managers in business rise through the ranks not because of their ability to lead or inspire but because of their knowledge and competence (if not their connections). On the other hand, it would be nice if each of us, just once, could work for someone like Coach K, someone who could push the right buttons and lead us to our own version of the Final Four. Not likely, but a pretty sweet fantasy. --Lou Schuler
In some respects, a top-level college coach is a lot like a manager in any business. He has to turn a group of talented individuals into a smoothly running team, and he has to produce results that please the fans of his team--the shareholders of the athletic program. Thus, in Leading with the Heart, Krzyzewski reviews the lessons he's learned as basketball coach at Duke University, and tries to universalize them so they translate to any leadership position. For example, he writes, "Adjustments are not unusual, they are usual. So a leader's ability to think on his feet ... to do things without instruction ... is of paramount importance." Makes sense, as does this admonition: "When teaching, always remember this simple phrase: 'You hear, you forget. You see, you remember. You do, you understand.'"
The book has four sections--"Preseason," "Regular Season," "Postseason," and "All-Season"--and each of those has four chapters. Each chapter begins with three quotes ("Too many rules get in the way of leadership" leads off chapter 1), and ends with bulleted tips summing up the chapter's message. Between the quotes and the bullet points are anecdotes about Duke basketball games and (occasionally) Krzyzewski's life outside basketball. What you come away with is an understanding of why Krzyzewski is a great basketball coach, why former Duke assistants such as Tommy Amaker and Quin Snyder are probably going to become great basketball coaches, and how anyone who's currently a coach can become a better coach. It would be great if other types of managers in other types of businesses could incorporate these lessons in compassionate, focused, highly flexible leadership, but it seems unlikely. Most managers in business rise through the ranks not because of their ability to lead or inspire but because of their knowledge and competence (if not their connections). On the other hand, it would be nice if each of us, just once, could work for someone like Coach K, someone who could push the right buttons and lead us to our own version of the Final Four. Not likely, but a pretty sweet fantasy. --Lou Schuler
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
A CLASS ACT; COACH KRZYZEWSKI PURE INTEGRITY; 100% CREDIBLE; GREAT FOR BUSINESS,COACHING & LIFE!:
This is without question, the best sports and business book ever written. This book also teaches and reminds all us how to be decent, thoughtful, caring, and responsible human beings. Being a good and decent person really works, and will get you somewhere. Take responsibility for yourself, get the job done. Never let: "It's not my job," enter your mind. Get it done and stop whining. Team work, in sports, business, family and life makes all the difference in the world. When you think of the super credible... more info
The perfect blend of business, basketball, and character for all ages:
Who thought that one man could do so much in life, have so much success, and still be grounded to where he was brought up. This is a truly inspiring book because it is rare to find a man of this profession who cares so much about character. He is one of the few coaches in college basketball who values a kid's personality more than their talent. Reading this book really showed me how great a guy Coach K really is, and how lucky those kids are to play for a coach like him. This book is easy to connect... more info
Leading with the Heart:
Some books I have read stand the test of time. Since its initial publication, this book by Coach K stands that test, with stories and chapters that both inspire and encourage. It gives valuable strategies for succeeding no matter what your aim is. It made me much more than a Duke fan, but made me a Coach K fan as well. Well done and it is no wonder the Duke program is so successful.
A must for coaches at all levels:
A must read for coaches and business people alike. Very informative look on how Coach K built Duke into a basketball powerhouse. I am not a Duke fan but enjoyed this book.
