Quiet Strength, Quiet Leader, Quiet Winner
May 22, 2008
Tony Dungy, quiet leader, coach of the Indianapolis Colts and the winning coach of Super Bowl XLI, is the fifth leader to take a place in my personal Quiet Leader Hall of Fame.
With this profile, Coach Dungy joins a distinguished group of leaders that includes:
Granted, it feels like an unusual choice to me to propose a sports hero as a Quiet Leader of note. Nevertheless, I was moved by his leadership and approach when I read his autobiography, Quiet Strength: The Principles, Practices, & Priorities of a Winning Life
In 1972, I was a student at the University of Minnesota when Tony arrived on campus to play football and basketball. As a member of the U of M Football Marching band, I watched from the sidelines as Dungy grew as the quarterback/leader of the Golden Gophers. I was a Dungy fan in those early days when I knew nothing of his leadership approach. I only knew that he was a winner.
Dungy reconnected with Minnesota in 1992 when he returned to become the defensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. I remember thinking at the time as I enjoyed listening to Dungy on sports talk radio thinking how I would prefer Dungy to be the Vikings head coach. It wouldn’t happen at Minnesota.
Dungy left Minnesota to become the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and it was in this this role where his style, unique in the football world, become public and prominent. Let’s explore his leadership from using snippets of his book.
On Vision
“The first step toward creating an improved future is developing the ability to envision it. Only vision allows us to transform dreams of greatness into the reality of achievement through human action.”
On his quiet approach
I don’t yell a lot. In fact yelling will be rare,” … if my voice at this level won’t get your attention, and you believe you need someone to yell at you to correct you or motivate you, then we’ll probably need to find you another team to play for so that you can play your best.”
Accountability
“Take Ownership No excuses, no explanations.”
Family Balance
In his book, Tony stresses the importance of family and life balance. He cites that football is only a game. But tells the team directly at the beginning of every season, ” I want each guy to understand this his family is his first priority.”
Albert Einstein provides a quote that nicely underscores the Dungy approach,
Try not to become a man of success but rather a man of value.
A great summary of the quiet leadership style of Tony Dungy.
Thanks for reading. Please lead quietly.
Don
Five New Business Books - April 14th 2008
April 15, 2008
Here at Cultivate Greatness, I receive tons of business books for review, sometimes more than I can possibly read… but, I want to make sure that you guys get the same benefit of knowing which business books are in the pipeline, that you may want to pick up.
Since August 2007, I have received well over 200 books, and so, each week, I would like to go over a quick review of each new business book that I have and share the business book resource with you. There are some great books here! Roll over the images to get more information about each business book!
In this fast and furious time machine of a book, Richard Laermer shows you how to use-and in some cases abuse-the trends of the next decade (or two) that really matter. As an author with a functional crystal ball, a veteran marketing innovator, and media master, Laermer foresees a fabulous future-if you start planning for it today.
2011: Trendspotting for the Next Decade is packed with eye-popping predictions (and realities) on how you’ll live, work, play, buy, sell, talk, text, laugh, and more. You’ll discover how miniscule attention spans will increase a need for velocity…how to work while you’re sleeping…how to wash off mediocrity…and why today’s communication devices will become obsolete. With 2011you’ll learn how to participate in change instead of trailing it.
A new generation of “life entrepreneurs” is emerging: people who apply their vision, talents, creativity, and energy not only to their work but to their entire lives, changing the world for themselves and those around them.
In this book, successful entrepreneurs Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek draw on numerous interviews with fifty-five leading entrepreneurs worldwide as well as the wisdom of multiple thought leaders to provide vivid examples, moving vignettes, concrete frameworks, and practical strategies for revving up our work and play through entrepreneurial leadership. This book starts by providing strategies for integrating life, work, and purpose and ends by capturing the implications of the current entrepreneurial boom for our workplaces, learning institutions, communities, and families.
Bill Lane was Jack Welch’s speechwriter for 20 years. In the first book by a GE insider, Lane shows that the real secret to Welch’s immense success as a leader was Welch’s ability as a master communicator. Welch launched a communications revolution that took GE from a ponderous supertanker of a company, to what Welch called a high speed “cigarette boat” capable of radical moves and rapid learning from the best institutions in the world.
You’ll learn Jack’s simple, often brutally enforced guidelines for “making a great pitch”, and how Welch practiced them himself in his memorable appearances before employees, financial analysts and customers–and his zero-tolerance of BS. You’ll witness laugh-out-loud-funny cameo appearances from boldface names like Southwest Airlines Herb Kelleher, Don Imus, Jack’s ex-wife Jane Welch, Conan O’Brian, and “Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog”. And you’ll understand exactly how every leader can master the art of communication, to teach and inspire, shock and provoke, all at the same time.
The Quiet Millionaire Wins the Financial Game
January 16, 2008
Being a millionaire is a realistic aspiration if you are knowledgeable and diligent about becoming one. Today, people are required to accumulate greater amounts of money to fund their lifetime goals and objectives than was necessary by previous generations. This book covers what should be included in a comprehensive financial management program for people of all ages who want to live a financially independent and secure lifestyle. It shows reliable ways to plan and manage the emotional aspects of money, cash flow, assets, liabilities, taxes, investments, employee benefits, insurance, health care, business ownership, college financing, accumulated estate wealth, and, most critical, how not to run out of money during retirement.
In today’s often confusing and contradictory world of information overload, the reader is informed how to discern and distinguish what information is beneficially useful or harmful to his or her financial well-being. Moreover, if professional assistance is desired, guidance is provided for how to select and work with a financial advisor as well as how and when paying for an advisor’s help is justified.
Read more
If Nobody Loves You, Create the Demand - Podcast CG018 with Dr. Joel Freeman
October 1, 2007
According to the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (an organization that promotes entrepreneurship & education) there are approximately 10 million Americans involved in starting a new business at any given time. With that reality in mind, millions of people will take their first courageous steps on the road to self-employment—only to lose their footing when they encounter unexpected obstacles in the path.
Leadership Podcast 018 : Joel Freeman, Author of If Nobody Loves you, Create the Demand.
The statistics don’t lie: an estimated 75 percent of new businesses will fail. The overwhelming majority of those will close up shop within the first six months. Clearly, the mere possession of a great idea, product or service does not ensure a successful outcome. In his new book, If Nobody Loves You, Create the Demand, author, international conference speaker and business coach Dr. Joel Freeman provides the skills and tools necessary for individuals aspiring to create a new business on a limited budget.
In this podcast, Joel talks about how to effectively get publicity for your business. He also talks about Trips With Dad, which is his philosophy of keeping family close. Go anywhere in the world that your child chooses at age 15. This will increase closeness and bonding in the family, giving more of a peer feeling to the relationship.
Find out more from Joel at www.WorkHardWorkSmart.com
Joel Freeman is a truly gifted communicator with a knack for finding the memorable stories or quotes to illustrate his points. His humorous and conversational style makes this book a quick, enjoyable read. If Nobody Loves You, Create the Demand is the essential resource for people who truly desire to see their entrepreneurial dreams take flight.
