Customer Reviews

From the Ballfield to the Boardroom: Management Lessons from Sports

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Goff's book is both a sports and management book. It is filled with examples drawn from sporting events and related episodes. Sport fans interested in the behind-the-scenes decision making and leadership issues should thoroughly enjoy this volume. But those seeking new insights into management will find the book a refreshing approach that centers around issues faced by managers regardless of setting. Those interested in both management and sports should love this book.

The backbone of the book are principles of management developed over the last few decades. The author does not try to develop a template for management based on case studies, although they are used to highlight key facts about management and stimulate discussion.

After presenting key building block ideas (such as recognition of hidden costs and trade-offs, coordinating decisions, learning and adapting), the chapters of the book go on to explore such topics as: key matters about markets and management; people management; the effective use of information; tools for strategic and tactical decision making; and the role of innovation and adaptation. The last two chapters consider how managers add value to an organization, draws a distinction between effective management and over-managing (managing vs. meddling), and managing and leading.

This is a marvelous book that casts a bright light on many complex and subtle management issues. With this book, Goff has hit a home run!