ReviewIn a lot of respects, a top-level college coach is a lot like a manager in any business. He has to turn a group of gifted persons into a with no problems or difficulties running team, and he has to fabricate results that please the fans of his team–the share holders 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 capacity to think on his feet … to do things without instruction … is of paramount importance.” Makes sense, as does this admonition: “When teaching, always do not forget 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 a great deal of 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 when it comes to Duke basketball games and (occasionally) Krzyzewski’s life outside basketball. What you come away with is an understanding of why Krzyzewski is a outstanding basketball coach, why former Duke assistants such as Tommy Amaker and Quin Snyder are probably going to become great basketball coaches, and how any person who’s presently a coach may become a better coach. It would be great if other types of managers in other types of businesses could comprise these lessons in compassionate, focused, highly flexible leadership, but it seems unlikely. Most managing directors in business rise through the ranks not because of their capacity to lead or inspire but because of their noesis and competence (if not their connections). On the other hand, it would be nice if each of us, just once, could work for an individual like Coach K, somebody who could push the right buttons and lead us to our own version of the Final Four. Not likely, but a finelooking sweet fantasy. –Lou Schuler
From Publishers WeeklyDuke basketball coach Krzyzewski, today’s most successful NCAA coach, reviews substantial games and key events in his career in addition to supplying counsel to coaches, players and every one attempting to do better in life. The son of working-class Polish immigrants, he got a scholarship to West Point, where he became an accomplished player before getting a coach. His breezy approach is direct and simple: what’s most essential is working as a team toward a mutual goal–not inevitably to win the game, but to play the best possible game. Says Coach K, “There are five rudimentary calibers that make each team great: communication, trust, collective responsibility, caring and pride.” Approaching each season the same way, he extends himself to his players, furthering them to spend time at his home and with his family, while emphasizing the importance of keeping up with academics and enjoying the overall experience of college. In fact, Krzyzewski tries to hire assistant coaches who have played for him because they’re versed in on- and off-court problems. At the end of each chapter, he offers ordinary pointers, such as that “business, like basketball, is a game of adjustments. So be ready to adjust.” Although he occasionally refers to a coach as a “leader,” for the most part he leaves it up to readers to connect the dots among his coaching systems and utile business strategies. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library JournalFor six-time National Coach of the Year Krzyzewski, head coach of the Duke University Blue Devils, coaching basketball is all regarding leadership and team building. His primary step is to recruit good humans with strong reputation who are more than willing to be taught. The five rudimentary calibers that he looks for in each team that he coaches are communication, trust, collective responsibility, caring, and pride. The basic principles he tries to instruct each group include integrity, planning, remaining flexible in thinking and planning, always working to improve performance, and always thinking regarding what you are doing and how to do it better–the same principles that make a good leader or coach. Phillips is the author of assorted books, including Martin Luther King, Jr., on Leadership. The writers have written an splendid book on coaching and leadership principles. Recommended for most sports or coaching collections.
-Terry Jo Madden, Boise State Univ. Lib., ID
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Most helpful client reviews
31 of 34 people found the following review helpful.
 Finest book on Leadership Ever written
By GLEN KOROBOV
Perhaps no other book will hit you where you are more than this one. Mike combines life experiences with true nuggets to guide us implement proven leadership and to take our team to a new level of excellence. You will want to read it through,then come back and highlight. The chapter on handling crises is worth the book by itself.
20 of 23 persons found the following review helpful.
Excellent book in all regards
By Dr. L. Johnson
I graduated from Duke in 68 and am an avowed fan of Coach K.However, I’ve hit a rut in my reading recently, can’t find anything that seems stimulatiing or interesting.I was frighted this book would just be another of those “smaltzy” rah rah type of books that coaches(and ordinarily an individual else write), but I was happily surprised. It is in truth worth everyones attention, whether to motivate a business person or any individual on how to live ones life. The general blah blahing regarding excellency is gorgeous much left out, thank goodness, and the book is full of very helpful aphorisms in regards to what priorities to put original and how to lead a wholesome and successful life,even if you don’t have a jump shot.Coach K comes all over as genuinely honorable and sincere.I can’t stand phonies and in truth was enjoyably astonished by the book. Lots of real life anecdotes in regards to games, players, situations and how to take defeat.Truly inspirational from a superb leader. For sports fans, look what he did with the team of largely freshman this year, way beyond anyones expectations.He uses his heart a lot, but likewise his head.You may also read and skip around in the book, it is not like a novel.Again, his repeated special importance and significance on how to deal with defeat and failure shows true wisdom, far beyond that of most college coaches. I do not forget the tonge in cheek defintion of a college basketball coach by a player once.”you have to be a little bit crazy to base your career on an individual else’s jump shot.” Coach K is crazy like a fox.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful.
A great book for Basketball, Business, and Leadership
By Steven Burris
I chose this book to read for a business class at my college. The book focuses around Coach K and his experiences with basketball. He alludes to his theories apps towards business some, but it is up to the reader to utilize them to his/her own business situations. His theories even though on leadership and family are empowering, touching, and entertaining. I highly commend this book to anyone. It’s not just a book for the basketball lover, Duke fan, or business reader. It’s a book that shows how one man has steadfastly stood by his beliefs allround his life. Great book, Coach K!
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