Synopses & Reviews
Going into the 1980 Winter Olympic Games at Lake Placid, the U.S. men's hockey team was seeded seventh among the twelve teams competing. Winning a medal of any type was a long shot. Yet the U.S. squad, whose average player age was twenty-two, displayed stunning teamwork, eventually earning a place in the medal round against the Soviet Union, the world's most dominant hockey team.
Nearly everyone thought that Team USA didn't stand a chance against the Russians. But the scrappy Americans, under the direction of legendary coach Herb Brooks, pulled off the greatest sports upset of all time. The "Miracle on Ice," as the victory became known, was a defining moment for an American public that saw the game as symbolic of the ongoing Cold War struggle. Two days later, the U.S. beat Finland to clinch the Olympic gold medal. Without a doubt, what the U.S. team did was one of the most thrilling episodes in sports. But a miracle? Hardly.
The U.S. team's goalie, and the backbone of the team, was a Boston University student named Jim Craigtoday, an internationally renowned motivational speaker and sales and marketing strategist. In Gold Medal Strategies, Craig draws lessons from those dedicated twenty-two-year-olds and their demanding coach and describes the qualities of championship teams, whether in athletics or business. He delivers sage advice on building a winning team and achieving greatness in business and in life. You'll learn how to:
Recruit people with the right values and character, and then get them to buy into your vision
Recognize and deal with enemies of success in your own house
Pull potential out of every member of your teamyou recruited them, so it's your responsibility to make them great!
Establish a two-way street of accountability
Define victory for your team, and have a vision for your legacy
Great teams dare to dream big. They put in the hard work required and commit to proving the doubters wrong. The 1980 U.S. men's hockey team rose to its challenge. Your team can too.
Synopsis
Business lessons from one of the greatest Olympic teams of all time
It's been called the greatest upset of all time, the most memorable Olympic moment ever, the "Miracle on Ice." No matter which superlative is used, no one can deny that the U.S. men's hockey team's defeat of the Soviet Union in the medal round of the Lake Placid Olympic Games was a defining moment for Cold War America.
The U.S. team's goalie was a Boston University student named Jim Craig, who is now a leadership expert and keynote speaker to business audiences. Gold Medal Strategies gives you Craig's unique lessons from the "Miracle" team on team dynamics, leadership, motivation, and other important management topics. With his unparalleled perspective, Craig dissects and analyzes the elements of a successful team, how to assemble one, and what philosophies will keep the team's shared goal a reality. This book outlines the necessary skills and details the specific techniques you need to maximize your business readiness, hone competitive cooperation, gather your strategies, and attack your challengers.
Synopsis
"Enjoy this book and take counsel from it. It is a trove of smart advice and wisdomdelivered by a great athlete, a great person, a great American . . . and a consummate winner." JON LUTHER, Chairman of the Board, Dunkin' Brands
"In Gold Medal Strategies, Jim Craig takes you inside his sports story for the ages and details its applications to today's world. All in all, a great read from the perspective of a man who was at the center of what Sports Illustrated called the greatest sports moment of the twentieth century." AL MICHAELS, Emmy Awardwinning sportscaster
"Jim Craig is an inspiration to all of us! I thank him for setting the bar at the top!" BILL BELICHICK, Head Coach, New England Patriots
"Jim Craig was one of the most competitive and focused individuals that I ever coached. His preparation and his determination were bigger factors in his successful hockey career than his pure talent. Jim's insights are well worth investigating by anyone hoping to maximize their success." JACK PARKER, Executive Director of Athletics, Boston University
"Jim Craig is a champion, both as an athlete and in the world of business. Jim teaches the importance of teamwork, believing in yourself, and the power of positive energy. His unique life experiences and many accomplishments can be a lesson to us all, and I strongly recommend this book for all who want to 'go for the gold!' " DAVE BRANDON, Director of Athletics, University of Michigan, and Chairman and former CEO, Domino's Pizza
"Jim Craig is a consummate professional and an authority on business, leadership, and teamwork. The lessons contained in this book will have an immediate impact on your business and personal life!" DUANE WARD, President, Premiere Speakers Bureau
About the Author
JIM CRAIG, the celebrated goalie on the 1980 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team, stopped thirty-nine of forty-two Russian shots on goal, leading the U.S. to a 4-3 win against the heavily favored Soviets. Following his retirement from hockey, he pursued an award-winning sales and marketing career that included taking an operating unit with $300,000 in annual sales to $50 million. He is founder and President of Gold Medal Strategies, a Boston area–based promotions and marketing firm. Learn more at www.goldmedalstrategies.com.
DON YAEGER is a former Sports Illustrated editor and coauthor of four sports-related New York Times bestsellers. He is also a frequent motivational speaker on lessons he's learned from sports legends like Walter Payton and John Wooden. He is a frequent contributor to several nationally syndicated sports programs, including Fox News and ESPN. Learn more at www.donyaeger.com.
Table of Contents
FOREWORD JON “JACK” LUTHER xiiiACKNOWLEDGMENTS xvii
INTRODUCTION xix
Chapter 1 Great Teams Think of Themselves as Winning Underdogs 1
Chapter 2 Great Teams Have a Shared Dream 27
Chapter 3 Great Teams Make Personal Sacrifices 53
Chapter 4 Great Teams Hold Themselves and Others Accountable 75
Chapter 5 Great Teams Are the Product of Picking the Right Players 97
Chapter 6 Great Teams Have a Real or Invented Enemy 123
Chapter 7 Great Teams Stay Young in Spirit and Outlook 145
Chapter 8 Great Teams Manage Through Ego and Conflict 167
Chapter 9 Victory—The One and Only End Game 193
INDEX 209