Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners: 12 Keys to Managing Team Players, Tough Bosses, Setbacks, and Success [Hardcover]

Joe Torre (Author), Henry Dreher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 1999

Just when baseball was desperately in need of a hero, along came Joe Torre, the unflappable manager of the New York Yankees, who led North Americas favourite team to two world championships and the best single-season record in the history of the game. When Torre first took the helm in 1996, he was much like any employee with a high-pressure job; he had to contend with a record of recent failures, team infighting, outsized egos, and a notoriously difficult boss. Within months, he had implemented a winning formula for team chemistry, hard work, good spirits, and a workable relationship with his tough boss. In the tradition of the bestselling Success Is a Choice, by Rick Pitino and the extraordinary Raise the Roof by Pat Head Summitt, Torre divulges his 12 keys to managerial success. His invaluable advice and management methods apply just as well off the field as they do on and will motivate almost anyone to perform better. With entertaining stories from his experiences with the always colourful Yankees, he describes his strategies, including specific communication skills, the small bites approach, trust and respect toward team players, and a style of serenity and optimism. Joe Torre is a unique role model, a leader who projects an image of integrity, equanimity, and fairness. Sports enthusiasts, as well as executives, employees, and anyone faced with the challenge of managing people, will be enlightened and inspired by this guide to winning in the business world and in life. Joe Torre clinched his second World Series as the manager of the New York Yankees in 1998, making him the toast of New York. Henry Dreher is a New York-based writer who specializes in health and self-help. He has authored many books, as well as magazine articles and corporate speeches.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This audio will appeal mostly to business managers and work group leaders who are familiar with big league baseball. That is not to say that nonfans will be disappointed in hearing the management philosophy of arguably the most successful current manager in professional baseball; it's just that fans will find the narrative greatly enriched by Torre's practical examples of his successes and failures with the sport's elite. This very nicely produced tape is a pleasant surprise because the author proves to be as excellent a reader as he is a manager. Yes, a lot of this can be categorized as managerial common sense, but it's Torre's application of his "12 keys to managing" and his baseball examples that will lead listeners to attempt to modify communications with problem team members, motivate their players, or change their approach to a "bad" boss. Fans will have the additional pleasure of learning Torre's managerial perspectives on the work habits, personalities, and motivations of some of the Yankees and knowing that his tough boss is George Steinbrenner. Highly recommended.
-Cliff Glaviano, Bowling Green State Univ. Libs., OH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Joe Torre clinched second World Series as the manager of the New York Yankees in 1998, making him the toast of New York and the baseball world. He also managed and played for the Atlanta Braves, the New York Mots, and the St. Louis Cardinals, playing in the All-Star Game nine times. He won Manager of the Year awards in both 1996 and 1998. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; 1st edition (September 22, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786865687
• ISBN-13: 978-0786865680
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,271,908 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Torre Offers Real Inspiration!, November 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners: 12 Keys to Managing Team Players, Tough Bosses, Setbacks, and Success (Hardcover)

This turns out to be one of the best business/motivation books in years. Torre trumpets values such as fairness, respect, trust, communication, serenity, optimism, and how to create a sense of family as a way to build teamwork. I think that every company and managers at all levels could learn a thing or two (or twelve) from Mr. Torre. Just look at what the Yankees have accomplished! Even if you don't like the Yankees you have to like this team because they are so professional, and they work together with civility, respect, and joy in what they do. Clearly, Torre created the atmosphere for this team to become one for the ages. The book tells how you can do this in simple, clear steps, and it is chock full of lively stories. If corporate managers and teams followed his advice, teams would achieve levels of success that would be, well, Yankee-like.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Book for Employee Communicators too!, October 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners: 12 Keys to Managing Team Players, Tough Bosses, Setbacks, and Success (Hardcover)

Why Davis & Company (employee communication consulting experts) likes this book -- Even if you're not baseball fan-or a Yankees fan-it's easy to be impressed with Joe Torre's dedication to success and confidence as a leader, motivator and communicator.

In the introduction, Torre explains that although his experiences are in baseball, the principles and advice his gives in his book are applicable to any business or organization that has team leaders and team players. His advice is broken out into 12 short chapters-each one dedicated to a success strategy. We, at Davis & Company, love the fact that Chapter 3 focuses on communication. "Straight Communication: The Key to Trust" addresses how important clear communication is to having your team strive toward the same goals. Torre stresses that communication is everybody's responsibility-not just the leader's. Yes this is a simple concept, but it's illustrated nicely with anecdotes and stories about the players and situations where clear communication was key.

Pros -- Business book without being dry. An easy read. Success strategies are explained through real-life, easy-to-remember (and relate to) examples.

Cons -- Some might view this book as too baseball-focused, with sports analogies run amok.

Excerpt -- "We often neglect to learn new communication skills, because we underestimate their importance in our quest for success. Also, many of us think that we can't learn how to communicate more effectively. But we can become better communicators, and when we do, it plays a big part in realizing our dreams of winning."

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Torre's Ground Rules is the zen of baseball, October 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Joe Torre's Ground Rules for Winners: 12 Keys to Managing Team Players, Tough Bosses, Setbacks, and Success (Hardcover)

Joe Torre's Ground Rules is nothing short of the zen of baseball--how to keep your eye on the ball even when life throws you a curve. This is a heavy hitter--trenchant Torre--Go Yankees!