Gold Medal Strategies: Business Lessons From America's Miracle Team

Gold Medal Strategies: Business Lessons From America's Miracle Team

Released April 2011
Publisher(s): Wiley
ISBN: 9780470928066

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Book description

Business lessons from one of the greatest Olympic teams of all time

It's been called the greatest upset of all time, the most memorable Olympic moment ever, the "Miracle on Ice." No matter which superlative is used, no one can deny that the U.S. men's hockey team's defeat of the Soviet Union in the medal round of the Lake Placid Olympic Games was a defining moment for Cold War America.

The U.S. team's goalie was a Boston University student named Jim Craig, who is now a leadership expert and keynote speaker to business audiences. Gold Medal Strategies gives you Craig's unique lessons from the "Miracle" team on team dynamics, leadership, motivation, and other important management topics. With his unparalleled perspective, Craig dissects and analyzes the elements of a successful team, how to assemble one, and what philosophies will keep the team's shared goal a reality. This book outlines the necessary skills and details the specific techniques you need to maximize your business readiness, hone competitive cooperation, gather your strategies, and attack your challengers.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Praise
  3. Title Page
  4. Copyright
  5. Dedication
  6. Foreword
  7. Acknowledgments
  8. Introduction
  9. 1: Great Teams Think of Themselves as Winning Underdogs
    1. Kindle Your Competitive Fire
    2. Herb Brooks—A Winning Underdog for the Ages
    3. Commit to Proving the Doubters Wrong
    4. Victor, Not Victim—Results, Not Reasons
    5. Expect Adversity—It Never Gets Easier
    6. Accept the Challenge—Embrace the Opportunity
    7. Beyond the Ice—Other Coaches and Mentors
  10. 2: Great Teams Have a Shared Dream
    1. Make the Quest Epic
    2. Have a Clearly Defined Mission, Values, and Messages
    3. Get with the Program—Or Get Out
    4. Leverage Individuality for Team Strength
    5. Bring People Together—In One Place
    6. Beyond the Ice—Other Mentors and Coaches
  11. 3: Great Teams Make Personal Sacrifices
    1. Understand That Not Only You Sacrifice
    2. Sacrifice for Something You Love
    3. Sacrifice for Your Legacy
    4. Recognize and Show Appreciation for Those Who Sacrifice with You
    5. Beyond the Ice—Other Mentors and Coaches
  12. 4: Great Teams Hold Themselves and Others Accountable
    1. Accountable, Yes. But for What?
    2. Pull Potential Out of People
    3. Accountability Is a Two-Way Street
    4. Beyond the Ice—Other Mentors and Coaches
  13. 5: Great Teams Are the Product of Picking the Right Players
    1. Not Necessarily the Best Players—But the Right Ones
    2. Team Chemistry Is Essential
    3. Look for Those Who Will Dream Big—But Not Make Dreams Their Master
    4. Recruit the Dreamers Who Can Handle Defeat
    5. The Best Recruiters Are Master Salesmen
    6. Recruit the Right Values and Right Character
    7. Stick with the Plan—Own the Outcome
    8. Beyond the Ice—Other Mentors and Coaches
  14. 6: Great Teams Have a Real or Invented Enemy
    1. Identify and Fixate on a Common Enemy
    2. Plan, Prepare, and Execute
    3. Be Ready for Anything—Respect Your Opponent
    4. The Enemies Within
    5. You Take on the Enemy Together
    6. Beyond the Ice—Other Mentors and Coaches
  15. 7: Great Teams Stay Young in Spirit and Outlook
    1. Don't Let Your Players Get Comfortable
    2. The Technology Challenge
    3. Make the Workplace Fun—At Least Some of the Time
    4. Caring About Your People and Your Customers Makes the Workplace Fun
    5. Dare to Be Different—Push Innovation
    6. Take Care of Yourself—Be Good to Others
    7. Beyond the Ice—Other Mentors and Coaches
  16. 8: Great Teams Manage Through Ego and Conflict
    1. Find a Buffer-A Go-Between
    2. No One Is Bigger Than Team
    3. Everyone Has an Important Role
    4. Agree to Disagree—Work It Out
    5. Get Outside Your Comfort Zone for the Team
    6. Beyond the Ice—Other Mentors and Coaches
  17. 9: Victory—The One and Only End Game
    1. Define Victory
    2. What Will You Do with Your Victory?
  18. Index

Product information

  • Title: Gold Medal Strategies: Business Lessons From America's Miracle Team
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: April 2011
  • Publisher(s): Wiley
  • ISBN: 9780470928066