Includes bibliographical references (pages 307-314) and index.
Contents:
Part I. Greatness and its origins: the birth of a freak team -- Alpha lions: identifying the world's greatest teams -- Captain theory: the importance of "glue guys" -- Talent, money, and culture: alternative explanations -- Do coaches matter?: the Vince Lombardi effect -- Part II. The captains: the seven methods of elite leaders -- They just keep coming: doggedness and its ancillary benefits -- Intelligent fouls: playing to the edge of the rules -- Carrying water: the hidden art of leading from the back -- Boxing ears and wiping noses: practical communication -- Calculated acts: the power of nonverbal displays -- Uncomfortable truths: the courage to stand apart -- The kill switch: regulating emotion -- Part III. The opposite direction: leadership mistakes and misperceptions -- False idols: flawed captains and why we love them -- The captaincy in winter: leadership's decline, and how to revive it.
Summary:
"Walker starts with one of the most hotly debated questions in sports: What are the greatest teams ever--particularly those that sustained success over a long period of time. He devised a formula to compare the achievements of teams from leagues all overthe world, and after painstakingly profiling thousands of them, produced a comprehensive, unbiased list of the 16 best. Period. At that point, Walker became obsessed with another, more complicated question: What did these teams have in common? A genius coach? A transcendent superstar? A groundbreaking system? Or was it all a matter of chemistry? A surprising pattern emerged: There was a very specific kind of leader at the center of these teams, a force that drove them to greatness, and they all shared eight specific characteristics. Who they are, who they are not, and the traits they shared will fascinate anyone who follows sports or is interested in building a team -- and winning. Told through riveting stories of some of the most compelling and pressure-soaked moments in sports history, Walker not only brings these uncommon leaders to life, he presents a counterintuitive view of leadership--one that can apply to a wide spectrum of competitive disciplines, particularly business"-- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.