Book of the Day: Building a Champion

Title: Building a Champion

Author: Bill Walsh

From the book: “Coaches who have been the most successful are usually the ones actively involved in the on-the-field, day-to-day coaching. Players will sacrifice for a hands-on coach, because they identify with him as an integral part of the team.”

Takeaway: This book is about the process of building a team, a culture which enjoys sustained success. Walsh offers a detailed account of how he shaped the 49ers into “the team of the 1980s” in the NFL. Walsh got it. He understood great cultures start with people rallying around a shared vision and purpose. Here is Walsh in his first address as head coach: “You are in an arena that calls for bonding among everyone involved. Sacrifices will have to be made, there just isn’t time or need to distinguish between roles and responsibilities. We’re all in this together. From this point forward we’re a group of people who collectively have one common objective: to compete and to win.”

Shop: Get your copy of Building a Champion here.