Book Review - �Gridiron
Leadership��
The bye
week gives one the chance to catch up on other noble pursuits.� In my case, it�s often reading, and I had the
distinct pleasure of reading a fabulous new book that I�m sure Stillers.com
fans will find just as enjoyable.��
Entitled �Gridiron Leadership�, this succinct book uses football as the
backdrop to analyze key traits, tactics, and strategies for successful
leadership and winning organizations.�
Right off
the bat, this book has been endorsed by none other than Stiller President Art
Rooney II, who wrote a poignant foreword at the beginning of this book.� If that�s not enough of an endorsement for
this book, then I don�t know what would be.�
Three
authors wrote this book.� Two of them --
Dr. Evan Offstein and Jason Morwick
-- are former Army officers with years of leadership experience as well as
business experience.� Offstein
is currently on the business faculty at Frostburg St. University in
The authors
take the reader through the critical steps of leadership and building winning
teams -- from the recruitment & retention of winning players (or employees)
to building a winning climate in the organization.� Each chapter is supported by relevant, real-world
examples taken from the gridiron as well the corporate boardroom.�� This succinct, 180-page book walks the gamut
of modern leadership and management -- human resources, crisis leadership,
ethical leadership, strategic decision making, and organizational change.� The authors and editors did a strong job of
making this book smooth and enjoyable to read, and relevant as well with a host
of recent examples from the world of football (including Super Bowl 43).�
Stiller
fans will be pleased with the number of positive references and examples
related to the Stillers.� Obviously, the
Stillers are a good source of what a winning climate and strong, consistent
leadership looks like, so it was terrific to see the Stillers cited throughout
this book.�
�
If you are
-- as I am -- a leader who enjoys the study of organizational behavior,
business management, and leadership, you�ll find yourself reading sections of
this book and exclaiming, �Yes, that�s right on!�� Throughout this tome, the authors hit the
nail on the proverbial head time and time again, and if nothing else, I can
think of a half-dozen former bosses, subpar as they
were, who are in dire need of this book.�
The authors
also incorporate collegiate football into their examples.� For example, their citation of the traditions
at Texas A&M (including their famed �12th man�
concept) was superbly on the mark.��
Although
football is the central backdrop of this book, this book is more about
leadership and winning organizations and less about pure football data and
trivia.� Stillers.com readers and
fans, who have shown a marked advantage in worldly intelligence and awareness
over their brethren from other message boards and fan sites, will
unquestionably find this book enjoyable, worthwhile, and intellectually
stimulating.�� The book can be purchased
though Amazon and Barnes & Noble.��
Along with Art Rooney himself, I highly recommend this book to anyone
interested in leadership, winning organizations, and the strategic management
of football.�
Still Mill and
Stillers.com -- �When it comes to the analysis of the