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ivantable's review
4.0
Many interesting tidbits on leadership, but I appreciate this final emphasis on character: “The most crucial ingredient in a team that achieves and sustains historic greatness is the character of the player who leads it.”
stuff4bd's review
4.0
Let me start by saying I'm not a sports fan. As I often say it's not that I am ignorant, I just don't care. That being said when I heard this book being discussed on a podcast it sounded intriguing. I liked the mix of math (sports stats) and leadership insights enough that the sports portions were actually interesting- high praise from a self proclaimed sports avoider
mogffm'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.
howardgo's review
5.0
This book is an amazing story of finding the one thing that all the most successful sports teams shared -- a first class captain. Despite the wide variety of people who were captains on these teams, they shared seven characteristics that the author reviews.
While leadership skills in sports may not directly translate into other arenas of life, I found the insights shared by the author tracked with my own experience as an officer in the US Army as well as a product manager at companies like Staples and CVS. Leadership is not a born trait but one that can be learned. And this book is an excellent and readable introduction to what it really takes to be a successful leader.
While leadership skills in sports may not directly translate into other arenas of life, I found the insights shared by the author tracked with my own experience as an officer in the US Army as well as a product manager at companies like Staples and CVS. Leadership is not a born trait but one that can be learned. And this book is an excellent and readable introduction to what it really takes to be a successful leader.
surprisetruck's review
3.0
The book is well written and interesting, but the premise is either flawed or is missing important research. It seems like he wanted the Captain class to be such a thing that at times the points started to lose cohesion.
Overall it presents some interesting idea's about leadership and what it can take to win at the highest levels.
Overall it presents some interesting idea's about leadership and what it can take to win at the highest levels.
wellreadmegs's review
3.0
This was really hard to get through. Extremely analytical - but interesting at times.
Just a lot of data to process. I do better reading more anecdotal things vs. charts and graphs and data.
Some interesting points though.
Just a lot of data to process. I do better reading more anecdotal things vs. charts and graphs and data.
Some interesting points though.
boyblue's review
3.0
Interesting read. The whole argument boils down to; each of the greatest teams of all time had a great captain and that captain had qualities that weren't what we would traditionally expect from a leader.
These qualities can all be summed up as leadership through service or being the "water carrier" as Walker puts it. The captains without exception always put the team first, many shunned public acknowledgement and praise, they were relentless in their desire to make the team great.
The anecdotes are great but he has picked stories from the careers of athletes that have played for over 20 years just to support his thesis. His argument that the captain in these teams isn't always the best player is also a bit dubious. Particularly when it comes to the All Blacks. Both Richie McCaw and Buck Shelford would be considered two of the greatest players to ever play the game. No doubt their leadership is part of that but they both changed the way their position was played and in McCaw's case, changed the whole game and even the rules. Definitely all the captains had an exceptional work ethic but I don't think that was always born out of a lack of natural talent.
Also the All Blacks since McCaw left have only got better. Kieran Reid is also an exceptional captain but I think that the succession planning at the All Blacks is largely to thank. Something the author ignores is how team management can control succession from one captain to another to make the transition seamless. This concept that the great teams must fall apart after "the glue" that is their captain leaves is debatable. Walker dodges the fact that Jordan's second set of championships with the Bulls was without Bill Cartwright, the captain he lauds for the first 3 championships. It would have been interesting to see what Walker would have said, had Jordan not left basketball for that hiatus.
Despite these rebuttals, I think the model for captain that Walker outlines should be something all captains aspire to and try to follow. Leadership through service does create the strongest team. There are other ways to lead and inspire but Walker's way also seems to be the most morally right way.
I'd love to see Walker tackle the traits he sees in these captains to individual sports and also rowing, cycling etc.
Lastly, Walker's use of anecdotes can be a bit jarring. While the anecdotes themselves are interesting he seems to lack a bit of Michael Lewis' polish in weaving narrative into explication. In saying that, his writing is intelligent and easy to read. It's also interesting to see some of these famous sporting moments through the eyes of someone watching only the captain. If you enjoy sport, if you're in a position of leadership or one day aspire to one, or if you are just interested in psychology, this is a good read.
These qualities can all be summed up as leadership through service or being the "water carrier" as Walker puts it. The captains without exception always put the team first, many shunned public acknowledgement and praise, they were relentless in their desire to make the team great.
The anecdotes are great but he has picked stories from the careers of athletes that have played for over 20 years just to support his thesis. His argument that the captain in these teams isn't always the best player is also a bit dubious. Particularly when it comes to the All Blacks. Both Richie McCaw and Buck Shelford would be considered two of the greatest players to ever play the game. No doubt their leadership is part of that but they both changed the way their position was played and in McCaw's case, changed the whole game and even the rules. Definitely all the captains had an exceptional work ethic but I don't think that was always born out of a lack of natural talent.
Also the All Blacks since McCaw left have only got better. Kieran Reid is also an exceptional captain but I think that the succession planning at the All Blacks is largely to thank. Something the author ignores is how team management can control succession from one captain to another to make the transition seamless. This concept that the great teams must fall apart after "the glue" that is their captain leaves is debatable. Walker dodges the fact that Jordan's second set of championships with the Bulls was without Bill Cartwright, the captain he lauds for the first 3 championships. It would have been interesting to see what Walker would have said, had Jordan not left basketball for that hiatus.
Despite these rebuttals, I think the model for captain that Walker outlines should be something all captains aspire to and try to follow. Leadership through service does create the strongest team. There are other ways to lead and inspire but Walker's way also seems to be the most morally right way.
I'd love to see Walker tackle the traits he sees in these captains to individual sports and also rowing, cycling etc.
Lastly, Walker's use of anecdotes can be a bit jarring. While the anecdotes themselves are interesting he seems to lack a bit of Michael Lewis' polish in weaving narrative into explication. In saying that, his writing is intelligent and easy to read. It's also interesting to see some of these famous sporting moments through the eyes of someone watching only the captain. If you enjoy sport, if you're in a position of leadership or one day aspire to one, or if you are just interested in psychology, this is a good read.
splitinfinitive's review
3.0
While the author strives to be objective in his assessments and criteria on how his top teams were selected, it is pretty apparent it is all very subjective. After starting to get a little annoyed at the author's disregarding of the greatest cricket teams ever assembled, I realised I should just read this book as a collection of great sports anecdotes and insights on captaincy and leadership, and stop worrying about the author's lack of knowledge about cricket. Once I did that, I really enjoyed the book.
Still, the rather blasé attitude towards the one sport which actually asks the most of one individual in a team setting as a captain does rankle a bit.
Still, the rather blasé attitude towards the one sport which actually asks the most of one individual in a team setting as a captain does rankle a bit.