Customer Reviews

The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Whenever a list of the NFL's greatest coaches is formulated, Bill Walsh's name is usually included with those of other Hall of Famers such as Paul Brown, George Hallas, Tom Landry, Vince Lombardi, Chuck Noll, and Don Shula. I was especially eager to read this book, written with Steve Jamison and his only surviving son, Craig, because I wanted to gain a much better understanding of Bill Walsh's leadership style and management preferences during an illustrious career as a head coach in the NFL: a record of 102-63-1 with the San Francisco 49ers, winning ten of his fourteen postseason games along with six division titles, three NFC Championship titles, and three Super Bowls. He was named the NFL's Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1984.

Especially in recent years, there have been many articles and books written about how to develop peak performers. (Some of the best observations and insights are provided by Erika Andersen in her book, Growing Great Employees.) The most highly-admired CEOs tend be those who were especially effective developing high-impact leaders among those in middle management. At GE, Jack Welch devoted at least 20% of his time to mentoring high-potential middle managers and his successor, Jeff Immelt, continues to do so. Given that, now consider the fact that a total of 24 head coaches in the NFL were once an assistant coach on his staff at one time, and many of them led teams to victory in the Super Bowl (e.g. Brian Billick, Jon Gruden, Mike Holmgren, George Seifert, Mike Shanahan). Some of Walsh's greatest skills were those of a teacher. Many who recalled their association with him after his death (from leukemia in 2007) made it a point to praise his intellect, energy, scope and depth of knowledge, enthusiasm, insatiable curiosity, and especially his passion to help others to understand what great success required and how to achieve it.

In the introductory essay, "A Leader's Book for Leaders," Craig Walsh identifies five "key" players in his father's life: Joe Montana (the first quarterback he drafted who led the 49ers to all of their Super Bowl victories), John McVay (vice president and director of the 49ers' operations while Walsh was head coach), Mike White (a long-time personal friend and a fellow assistant coach at U. Cal Berkeley), Bill McPherson (a defensive assistant coach while Walsh coached the 49ers), and Randy Cross ("a great offensive lineman [and a] member of the San Francisco 49ers for thirteen years including his first three, which were pre--Bill Walsh seasons"). All of them accepted an invitation to "contribute their analyses of the leadership philosophy of Bill Walsh and expand on the comprehensive lessons my father offers [in this book]...these five were asked and kindly accepted the invitation to more fully explain the `genius' of Bill Walsh." Their contributions are substantial. Nonetheless, this is still Bill Walsh's book.

In the Foreword, "His Standard of Performance," Montana praises Walsh's ability "to teach people how to think and play at a different and much higher, and, at times, perfect level." How? Three ways: sharing a tremendous knowledge of all aspects of the game, assembling a highly competent staff as well as coaches "who knew how to coach" and who complemented the intensive instruction that Walsh provided on and off the field, and finally, developing a hatred of mistakes. "He was extremely demanding without a lot of noise...great at making people great students" and "ran a pretty tight ship, but he knew when to let us. He didn't beat up players mentally of physically." On the contrary, he assembled teams whose players who had to be highly intelligent to understand the immensely complicated strategies and game plans for which Walsh was noted throughout his career. He may have been the most cerebral head coach in the league's history. That said, Craig Walsh also reveals that his father "was an outsider; he wanted to be an insider. What he found along the way professionally, starting in his days as an assistant coach, was an unwillingness by others to `let him in.' He didn't have the pedigree -and athletic résumé from a big-name school or assistant coaching credentials from a big college program." Nonetheless, what he accomplished as a coach was eventually considered sufficient for election to the NFL Hall of Fame.

I was fascinated to learn that Twelve O'clock High was one of Walsh's favorite films and that he identified with the lead character, General Frank Savage (portrayed brilliantly by Gregory Peck) who commanded the 918th Bomber group during World War II. "My father loved that movie because it told the story of what he did in football, and what happened to him as a result, in the context of something he loved - the military."

The account of Walsh's career is enlightening. There are important business lessons to be learned from his leadership and management, especially during periods of failure as well as of success. This is what his son means when referring to "his ferocious competitive instinct, and his singular brilliance as a strategist, organizer, and team builder," who "produced historic results." However, what I found riveting is the multi-dimensional portrait of a profoundly human Bill Walsh that emerges gradually as the narrative proceeds, an "outsider" obsessed with "proving them all wrong." He did that and, with what he so generously shares in this book, can continue to help others learn "how to be as great as they can be."

What is amazing about this book is not the writing or the insight into leadership (there are some good lessons). But how candid and introspective it is. This is a bit of Bill Walsh bearing his soul. It clearly shows his drive and creativity but it also shows his loneliness and insecurity. Is is also very direct and candid about the people around him. He doesn't hold back his praise or criticism of anybody, including himself. I'm not sure what to make of this book. There are some leadership lessons weaved into lots of personal stories. But that doesn't really seem to be what it is about overall. It is quite a life story. I'm left with a strange feeling. I think I know a lot more about Bill Walsh now but I'm not sure if I feel happy or sorry for him. You decide.

I've just completed reading the subject book and came away thoroughly impressed with the late coach's philosophies. One doesn't associate his level of intellect with the NFL and in retrospect, his success seems almost inevitable. His attention to detail was absolute and he was a true visionary, changing the game forever w/ the fabled west coast offense. I found myself wondering at times if he ever questioned the career path that he'd chosen. With his intellect, he probably could've succeeded in many other disciplines and at the end of his life, was he truly satisfied with his legacy as a "football coach"?

Bill Walsh was an humble man who simply had a plan and the means and opportunity to implement them. His plan was radically different from traditional football coaches but it spawned much success for himself and those whom he mentored. His methods are still successful today. The author Steve Jamison did an excellent job of printing the book posthumously which took a lot of integrity and is a bright spot for the field of journalism. I loved the book and I keep it near so that I can refer to it often. The finishing touch by Walshes son, Craig was an appropriate conclusion to the book. It was good to hear about the man from someone up close and personal. I recommend it for anyone who thinks they are having a difficult time in a leadership position. Again Excellent book!

Excellent insight into the mind of a very successful coach. A must read for managers of any business because the concepts are 100% transferrable. Walshs methods are a recipe for success. Rather than focusing on "bottom line", short term results, business managers should focus on process and fundamentals.

This book is a great book for understanding Bill Walsh's philosophy of leadership. It's also the first book I have run into that talks about the dangers of success, in some detail. It shows the strengths and some weaknesses of a holistic approach to leadership.

While the examples are mostly from the world of pro football, the lessons and principles are easily applied to business organizations and educational institutions.

This is a great book for all coaches and business leaders. It gives great insight into Bill Walsh and his professional plan for success. It also, shows his personal side and that the process can be all-consuming. Something for us all to be careful not to do. One of the best books on leadership I have read.

This may be one of the best books on leadership and management philosophy for the majority of us in the "real world." I have spent the previous few years studying and reading many differente books from great coaches and sports psychologists that complicate the subject and then tell you only the most obvious solution. The points in the book are simple and there are a tremendous amount of quotes that can be applied to all fields, not just running a professional team.

This is a must read for anyone who is in a position of leadership. It's the kind of book that makes you stop every few pages and think about what you just read or how you could implement the various ideas into your own situation. Excellent book!

I came across this title as during every single basketball season I always fall in love with bettering myself as both a coach, educator, and person. I live for these books that offer ideas and plans by successful people. This book is a great read that offers some very simple and yet effective ideas to be a better leader.

I coach 8th grade boys basketball and do many other types of coaching like run a Lego Robotics team and other committees. This book helps me to remind myself how to be an effective leader. It provided some detailed lists of strategies on about everything that goes into leading people whether in sports, business, or day to day life.

I took many notes. I found some ideas to be great. The one that stood out most for me was so simple - the four most powerful words are, "I believe in you". This holds so true when working with people.

There were parts that I did skim through as I was not overly concerned with parts of his life as a coach for San Francisco. I did take time to study any lists, suggestions, and/or ideas about being a leader.

This was worth the read. Not one that I will buy to add to my shelf, but my notes will be studied over and over again.

Glad this was suggested to me to read.

Gladly taking other suggestions