Olympic English books used by volunteers in Beijing
Books are great resources to teach coaches and athletic administrators about philosophy, leadership and team building. We regularly speak with athletic administrators who assign books to their coaching staffs, or coaches who require that their captains read about becoming a role model.
3D Coach (book) by Jeff Duke
In 3D Coach (book), Jeff Duke, the 3D Institute, shares his journey through the three dimensions of coaching, and how they have impacted his life and those around him. He also shares the personal stories of coaches from all levels who have implemented the 3D concept into their own programs, and the success that has followed.
Research shows that only 15 percent of coaches are intentional about coaching beyond the skills and strategies of the game (first dimension). A 3D coach understands and harnesses the power of the coaching platform to coach the mind (second dimension) and transform the heart (third dimension), and they can be the catalysts for internal transformation that guides both the coach and the athlete on a spiritual journey to finding purpose in this performance-based culture of sport.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (book) by Stephen Covey
“Your life doesn’t just happen,” Covey writes. “Whether you know it or not, it is carefully designed by you. The choices, after all, are yours. You choose happiness, sadness, decisiveness, ambivalence and success. You choose failure, courage and fear. Just remember that every moment, every situation, provides a new choice. And in doing so, it gives you a perfect opportunity to do things differently to produce more positive results.”
Covey sold more than 20 million copies of 7 Habits, which has been called one of the most inspiring books ever written. Covey was named among TIME Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Americans, and he holds the Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair in Leadership at the Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University.
Above the Line (book by Urban Meyer
A student of psychology long before he became a coach, Urban Meyer believes that trust is the bedrock of great achievements and healthy relationships, and explains how to build it, step by step — whether in a team, a family or a Fortune 500 company. With trust in place, a deep bond unites us in common purpose, and cultivates what he calls “Above the Line” behavior — a learned, empowered response to the challenges we face every day.
“We teach our players, in response to any situation they face, to press pause and ask: What does this situation require of me?,” Meyer writes. “Pressing pause gives you time to think. It gets you off autopilot and helps you gain clarity about the outcome you are pursuing, the situation you are experiencing, and the Above the Line action you need to take to achieve the outcome.”
Chop Wood Carry Water (book) by Joshua Medcalf
Guided by “Akira-sensei,” John comes to realize the greatest adversity on his journey will be the challenge of defeating the man in the mirror. This powerful story of one boy’s journey to achieve his life-long goal of becoming a samurai warrior, brings the “Train to be Clutch” curriculum to life in a powerful and memorable way.
“Everyone wants to be great, until it’s time to do what greatness requires,” Medcalf writes. Medcalf authored another popular book titled, Burn Your Goals: The Counter Cultural Approach to Achieving Your Greatest Potential.
Eleven Rings (book) by Phil Jackson
One of the most decorated coaches in sports history, we can all learn a lot from the “Zen master.” In Eleven Rings, Phil Jackson explores everything from humanistic psychology and Native American philosophy to Zen meditation. In the process, he developed a new approach to leadership based on freedom, authenticity, and selfless teamwork that turned the hypercompetitive world of professional sports on its head.
“The most we can hope for is to create the best possible conditions for success, then let go of the outcome,” Jackson writes. “The ride is a lot more fun that way.”
The Energy Bus (book) by Jon Gordon
Jon Gordon takes readers on an enlightening and inspiring ride that reveals 10 secrets for approaching life and work with the kind of positive, forward thinking that leads to true accomplishment — at work and at home. For coaches and team leaders, The Energy Bus provides a powerful roadmap to overcome common life and work obstacles and bring out the best in yourself and your team.
“I have never enjoyed reading a book more than The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon,” said Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney. “It should be required reading in this country. In a time and world where we deal with so many negative things and people, Jon beautifully articulates the power of positive energy and attitude. This book will change your life and teach you how to be the driver of your bus.”
Finding the Winning Edge (book) by Bill Walsh
In Finding the Winning Edge, Bill Walsh — Hall of Fame NFL coach and three-time Super Bowl champion — illustrates and outlines the basic organizational, coaching and system philosophies that he has used throughout his career. He discusses the methods behind fixing a troubled organization, including his program for hiring and developing a staff; evaluating and acquiring key players; building a game plan; and overcoming the mental barriers that frequently plague talented teams.
“Do everything possible not to personalize your team’s losses,” Walsh writes. “Exhibit an inner toughness emanating from three of the most effective survival tools — composure, patience and common sense.”
Good to Great (book) by Jim Collins
Another book that offers lessons in business management that can be applied to your sports program. Jim Collins, who also co-authored Built to Last, describes how businesses transition from being good companies to great companies, and how most companies fail to make the transition.
In Good to Great, Collins offers seven characteristics of companies that made the leap to greatness. Among them are a culture of discipline and a knack for finding the right people and putting them in positions to succeed. “Greatness is not a function of circumstance,” Collins writes. “Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.”
InSideOut Coaching (book) by Joe Ehrmann
Joe Ehrmann, who Parade called “the most important coach in America,” describes his coaching philosophy and explains how sports can transform lives at every level of play, from the earliest years to professional sports.
Too many people are transactional coaches — they focus solely on winning and meeting their personal needs, Ehrmann writes. Some coaches, however, use their platform. They teach the Xs and Os, but also teach the Ys of life. They help young people grow into responsible adults; and they leave a lasting legacy. These are the transformational coaches. These coaches change lives, and they also change society by helping to develop healthy men and women.
Lead… for God’s Sake! (book) by Todd G. Gongwer
The lives of an intensely-driven basketball coach, an ultra-successful CEO and an unassuming janitor all intersect in this captivating parable about leadership, relationships and the pursuit of success. Whether you’re leading a business, a team or your own family, Lead… for God’s Sake! helps coaches and ADs become the leaders they were meant to be.
“The best leaders’ legacies produce what Jesus called ‘good fruit,’ lived out through others way after they themselves have gone by the wayside,” Gongwer writes. “But everything starts with selfless thinking. Will I lead for my reasons, or for the benefit of others?”
Leading with the Heart (book) by Mike Krzyzewski
Duke University men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski has won five national championships, and his Blue Devils consistently rank among the best teams in the nation. Who wouldn’t want to learn from Coach K?
In Leading with the Heart, Krzyzewski talks about leadership — how you earn it, how you practice it and how you use it to move your organization to the top. From the importance of trust, communication, and pride, to the commitment a leader must make to his team, Coach K shares a variety of concepts, ideas and philosophies that can create a winning environment in your program.
Links
- Wiki Junior, a place for books for kids up to age 12. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wikijunior