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mogffm3's review
3.0
I added this book to my TBR list as I had read a review stating it shared glimpses into neuropsychology of leadership.
I struggled how to rate it. I thought it was well-written. However, it is about SPORTS teams. I am not a huge sports fan. So listening all about sport captains was not overly enjoyable for me. Yes, there were some key take-home points for "captains" of any team, including those in the business world, the majority of the book was for sports lovers.
I have a son now that plays soccer and recently started watching football, otherwise, as a book & academic nerd, I don't think I could have even related enough to finish this book prior to these events, lol.
I struggled how to rate it. I thought it was well-written. However, it is about SPORTS teams. I am not a huge sports fan. So listening all about sport captains was not overly enjoyable for me. Yes, there were some key take-home points for "captains" of any team, including those in the business world, the majority of the book was for sports lovers.
I have a son now that plays soccer and recently started watching football, otherwise, as a book & academic nerd, I don't think I could have even related enough to finish this book prior to these events, lol.
madiwerb's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
kimball_hansen's review
4.0
An excellent book, albeit unique way of making a bold claim. I wished he had made it longer and talked more about developing the Captain Class instead of rushing it at the end.
I didn't enjoy the unfamiliar sports and athletes as much. I wish he talked more about that Steelers captain.
Notes:
Lifelong obsessions stem from seemingly mundane events from our childhood.
The major crucial ingredient in a team that achieves and sustains historic greatness is the character of the player who leads it.
The tier one teams had captains that led from the shadows.
Most coaches don't have a statistically significant impact on the players relative to a regular coach. Coaches aren't the driving force like we think they are.
The Seven Traits of Elite Captains:
1) Extreme Doggedness and Focus in Competition
2) Aggressive Play that Tests the Limits of the Rules
3) A Willingness to do Thankless Jobs in the Shadows
4) A Low-key Practical and Democratic Communication Style
5) Motivates Others With Passionate Nonverbal Displays
6) Strong Convictions and the Courage to Stand Apart
7) Ironclad Emotional Control
One of the highest compliments that coaches can pay athletes is to describe them as relentless - to say that they just keep coming. The tier one captains display this trait over and over.
High effort, even the perception of high effort, is transferable.
Winning is difficult, but to win again is much more difficult, because egos appear. Most people who win once have already achieved what they wanted and don't have anymore ambition.
The personal quality that appear to distinguish excellent team leaders for those from whom leadership is a struggle:
1) Effective leaders know some things. Which means, they develop a vision for the way things ought to be.
2) Effective leaders know how to do some things.
3) Effective leaders should be emotionally mature.
4) Effective leaders need a measure of personal courage.
Tim Duncan agreed to be paid less so his team would have more money to recruit better players.
Leadership = (P)potential x (M)motivation x (D)development.
Lao Tzu said, "A leader is best when people barely know he exists; not so good when people obey and acclaim him - worst when they despise him. Fail to honors others and they will fail to honor you. But of a good leader who talks little when his work is done, his aim is fulfilled, they will all say 'we did this ourselves.' "
I didn't enjoy the unfamiliar sports and athletes as much. I wish he talked more about that Steelers captain.
Notes:
Lifelong obsessions stem from seemingly mundane events from our childhood.
The major crucial ingredient in a team that achieves and sustains historic greatness is the character of the player who leads it.
The tier one teams had captains that led from the shadows.
Most coaches don't have a statistically significant impact on the players relative to a regular coach. Coaches aren't the driving force like we think they are.
The Seven Traits of Elite Captains:
1) Extreme Doggedness and Focus in Competition
2) Aggressive Play that Tests the Limits of the Rules
3) A Willingness to do Thankless Jobs in the Shadows
4) A Low-key Practical and Democratic Communication Style
5) Motivates Others With Passionate Nonverbal Displays
6) Strong Convictions and the Courage to Stand Apart
7) Ironclad Emotional Control
One of the highest compliments that coaches can pay athletes is to describe them as relentless - to say that they just keep coming. The tier one captains display this trait over and over.
High effort, even the perception of high effort, is transferable.
Winning is difficult, but to win again is much more difficult, because egos appear. Most people who win once have already achieved what they wanted and don't have anymore ambition.
The personal quality that appear to distinguish excellent team leaders for those from whom leadership is a struggle:
1) Effective leaders know some things. Which means, they develop a vision for the way things ought to be.
2) Effective leaders know how to do some things.
3) Effective leaders should be emotionally mature.
4) Effective leaders need a measure of personal courage.
Tim Duncan agreed to be paid less so his team would have more money to recruit better players.
Leadership = (P)potential x (M)motivation x (D)development.
Lao Tzu said, "A leader is best when people barely know he exists; not so good when people obey and acclaim him - worst when they despise him. Fail to honors others and they will fail to honor you. But of a good leader who talks little when his work is done, his aim is fulfilled, they will all say 'we did this ourselves.' "
anitaashland's review
4.0
This provides an excellent exploration of how it's captains, not coaches, that make the difference in leadership. It applies to business too. It is based on intense statistical research. The definition of leadership in this book isn't at all like leadership defined in most other business books. For example, if you thought Michael Jordan displayed true captain leadership while on the Bulls you'd be wrong. It was Bill Cartwright. Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs is another example And Bill Russell of the Celtics. Jack Lambert of the Pittsburgh Steelers. All in all 11 different teams made the cut and are featured here.