NFL head coach Mike Smith lead one of the most remarkable turnarounds in NFL history. In the season prior to his arrival in 2008, the Atlanta Falcons had a 4 12 record and the franchise had never before achieved back-to-back winning seasons. Under Smith s leadership, the Falcons earned an 11 5 record in his first season and would go on to become perennial playoff and Super Bowl contenders earning Smith AP Coach of year in 2008 and voted Coach of Year by his peers in 2008, 2010 and 2012. You Win in the Locker Room First draws on the extraordinary experiences of Coach Mike Smith and Jon Gordon consultant to numerous college and professional teams to explore the seven powerful principles that any business, school, organization, or sports team can adopt to revitalize their organization. Step by step, the authors outline a strategy for building a thriving organization and provide a practical framework that give leaders the tools they need to create a great culture, lead with the right mindset, create strong relationships, improve teamwork, execute at a higher level, and avoid the pitfalls that sabotage far too many leaders and organizations. In addition to sharing what went right with the Falcons, Smith also transparently shares what went wrong his last two seasons and provides invaluable lessons leaders can take away from his victories, success, failures and mistakes. Whether it s an executive leadership team of a Fortune 500 company, a sports team, an emergency room team, military team, or a school team successful leaders coach their team and develop, mentor, encourage, and guide them. This not only improves the team, it improves the leaders and their relationships, connections, and organization. You Win in the Locker Room First offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most pressure packed leadership jobs on the planet and what leaders can learn from these experiences in order to build their own winning team.
A Sure Win Book! My son had been coaching high school girls’ basketball for several years when the opportunity to coach a college team was offered. So when the opportunity came to read You Win in the Locker Room First, The 7 C’s to Build a Winning Team in Business, Sports, and Life by Mike Smith and Jon Gordon, I decided I would take it. I wanted to understand all I could about coaches and coaching successfully.Â
Grateful and Growing! I have learned so much about why culture is important and I am convinced that it will lead to greater success for all those involved. There are so many practical lessons to help one begin integrating the 7 C’s to build that winning team! I personally love the “C” (Consistent) and “Be Humble and Hungry” application. I find myself on many teams since I love community. I really see an empowerment opportunity to practice what I’ve learned and mentor others to adopt the same…
Impactful, Transformational, Inspirational! I didn’t think it was possible, but he did it! Jon Gordon’s newest release, “You Win in the Locker Room First” is the best Jon Gordon book ever! Incredible insight provided by Mike Smith with his humble knowledge and experience of being on top and of the NFL and the things he learned when things weren’t going their way! I preordered the Kindle version and read it straight thru as I couldn’t put it down! More nuggets here than a McNugget’s factory! As a coach of 20+ years, the…