Teams Books

If read carefully! Will change your leadership style!

Rarely does a revolutionary write the history of his own revolt. However, that's exactly what John Adair does in this book. Adair is respected internationally in the field of leadership. His 1968 classic, `Training for Leadership', was a pioneering volume on leadership development. Although his work initially received relatively little attention in the U.S., it contributed to the current "leadership revolution," which has had a powerful impact on how companies train leaders. Today, in part thanks to Adair and others like him, companies no longer assume that "you either have it or you don't" when it comes to leadership potential. They are more willing to accept the idea that managers can be leaders, too, and should be trained for that role. Adair's book doesn't just peer in the rearview mirror of history - it casts a steady, discerning gaze at the road ahead as well. Using elegant, thoughtful prose enhanced with apt anecdotes and quotations, Adair establishes seven key principles of leadership development. His intriguing conclusion: while companies may mold the raw material of leadership, only societies and families can actually provide it. If "lead, follow or get out of the way" is your motto, we say have confidence - John Adair is marching to his rightful place at the head of the leadership pack. A must read.

This is a thoughtful and thought-provoking book on leadership development by a world renowned leadership guru. In "How to Grow Leaders: The Seven Key Principles of Effective Leadership Development", John Adair outlines the various theories, approaches and concepts of leadership development and training and distils them into seven key principles of leadership development. Using his wide and deep knowledge and expertise in the leadership field, he explains how organisations can recruit, select, train, and develop leaders who are capable of formulating and articulating a shared vision for their organisations or units, motivate people and facilitate the achievement of organisational, team and individual goals.

I was particularly impressed by the gracious and thorough acknowledgments in the book of the thinking and research of others. Even when the authors point out the weaknesses and limitations of a particular piece of work, they praise the positive aspects of that work in kind and thoughtful ways. This is one of the few academic books I have read that took such a considerate approach.

The book beautifully elaborates on the thinking processes that companies use to grow leaders so as to achieve competitive advantage I use the book as a quick reference guide and I find it very useful and helpful. This book carries pertinent information, but it is organised and written in such a way that is easily digestible. The book is recommended as a resource kit for the leadership trainer or aspiring leaders.

This is one of the best books on parenting I've ever read (and I've read a lot). I'm currently reading through it for the fourth time, because there's so much truth in it, and I want to really internalize all the wisdom Stanley offers up. I recommend this book for any parent who sincerely wants the best for their kids. An absolute masterpiece!

I read this book three times (and I dislike to read) my children are 20 and 18 now and I purchased this when they were 3 and 5. I have purchased this book on-line now to give to parents with new babies. I only wish I could purchase it in stores. It's an excellent, excellent book. Don't pass this one up. For someone who dislikes to read, I couldn't put it down. Thank you so much Dr. Stanley, because of this book, I have to wonderful young gentlemen.

I read this book three times (and I dislike to read) my children are 20 and 18 now and I purchased this when they were 3 and 5. I have purchased this book on-line now to give to parents with new babies. I only wish I could purchase it in stores. It's an excellent, excellent book. Don't pass this one up. For someone who dislikes to read, I couldn't put it down. Thank you so much Dr. Stanley, because of this book, I have to wonderful young gentlemen.

The old saw that "there is no 'I' in teams" is poppycock. Of COURSE there are individuals on teams; every member is an individual and the idea that he or she should somehow abandon individuality to conform to some construct called a 'team player' does a huge disservice to great teams everywhere.

What's one of the secrets of great teams? Diversity! If we all thought alike, there wouldn't be much of a need for teams at all, except to have groups of people doing work together.

Gerke's and Berens' book is the first that I know that tackles this issue straight-on, with great insight and highly practical models and approaches. While it's written for remote and co-located teams, I think the appeal will be much broader than that. Every team leader should get this book and get versed in the principles it offers. The stuff is real, it's true, and it works.

We can only wonder how much productivity is lost when employees worry that to be a member of a team, they have to sacrifice being themselves. There IS an I in teams, and Gerke and Berens have written a useful guidebook for team leaders, consultants, and coaches everywhere.

"The I in TEAM" by Susan Gerke never loses its focus on real teams. Instead of theoretical models, Susan uses real team situations and sets forward practical steps in forming and maintaining a team... including special sections on stresses within a team, and remote teams.

It is refreshing to have someone say that it is essential to maintain one's individuality upon becoming a team member, rather than what is often taught. The chapters on clarifying the reader's personal temperament are invaluable, whether a member of a team or not.

I highly recommend this book.

I've personally worked with Susan Gerke on a number of business projects and can't recommend her highly enough. Her insight on interpersonal dynamics within teams is right on target. I highly recommend her books!

Beyond the outstanding and absolutely timeless photography in this book, IN THE CAL offers unique and thoughtful information on the transformation of minor league baseball during the 1990s from a casual existence to a big-business adjunct of major league baseball. A must for any historical research on the minors...

In The Cal is a successful photo essay which captures the spirit of the low minors. Unlike many books about the minor leagues which concentrate on statisitcs or a specific team this one is different. Tammy Lechner uses her camera to show the day to day existence of these young ballplayers. The beautiful imagery shows everything from "Bully the Bullpen Dog" a young puppy allowed to run through the outfield among the players, a ballplayer who has to wash the team's laundry, or a woman who brings baked goods to the players. This book is about more than baseball it shows a piece of Americana, the relationship which exists between these ballclubs and the fans who come out to watch them play. It is a must for any fan of the minor leagues.

Simply the finest photodocumentary on minor league baseball available... conveying a sense of both small-town America and the game it embraces... from the fans, to the players... outstanding photography and enlightening text... a fun, unique and poignant work. Not only takes you out to the old ballgame, but makes you fall in love with it all over again... bravo!

As I write this, football great Jim Brown's autobiography, OUT OF BOUNDS, is out of print. While I have not ready every autobiography or sports bio, I can't imagine one more engrossing than the Cleveland Brown's OUT OF BOUNDS. Two reasons: 1)It's the story of possibly the best football player to date, in his own words. 2)Jim Brown's own words are dead honest. If you think he's kidding about anything you read in OUT OF BOUNDS, I'd like to see you tell him to his face. Don't give up the search to find OUT OF BOUNDS!

This book was an excellent biography abput sports legend Jim
Brown. He covers his outstanding football career at Syracuse
University. He is also able to give adequate coverage to his
outstanding career as a professional football player. He covers the women who have been a part of his life. He also discusses the football coaches that he dealt with during his football
career. Brown also openly discusses his role in many social issues of the time. He is still even today a hero to many Americans. This book gives an outstanding coverage of his life.
You will not be dissapointed. Buy it.

Read this 4 or 5 years ago, but I can still remember things JB mentioned. This is easily the best sports bio I've read. Usually these things are complete fluff, but JB is a man of substance and he speaks out with intelligence and experience on a number of things (race relations, gangs, etc.) In many ways he is the anti-OJ; he has never gone out of his way to fit in with whites while turning his back on the meanstreets. Rather, he has dedicated much of his life to helping young blacks improve themselves and get out of the gangster life. He does a lot of honorable things, that's why it saddens me when I hear about his repeated run ins w/the law for beating his wife/girlfriend. In any case, this book gives great insight into the complex mind of the greatest football player to ever play the game.

John Austin Sletten flawlessly presents Johnny Callison's achievements and human qualities in addition to the gut wrenching 1964 season events many Phillies fans will never forget. The author's style of writing is a joy to experience and this fan welcomes more of his writings in the future, especially a piece or two on EICOM.

I just purchased the new softback edition today. Great color photo of Johnny on the cover - 1964 style. I read the chapter "Callison for President" twice. It's a complete reliving of the 1964 season, which was my favorite even though we lost. The book takes us through the entire decade of the 60s, which brought back a lot of good memories for me. It's a must read book.

Mr. John Sletten's biography of Mr. Callison is not your typical baseball 'fact' or 'stats' book. It is a truly marvelous story of a pre-million dollar contract player and his rise from poverty to MVP. Anyone with an interest in the 'old' baseball and its heros will love it!!

Martin Brandise Fan

Although this book was purchased as a Christmas gift for someone, I was advised that it is a GREAT book and would really be enjoyed by any Kentucky fan. Highly recommend.

The players' stories are interesting and spread out over the history of UK ball. Ralph Beard, Sam Bowie and Rajon Rondo are all here. Todd Svoboda even chips in.

Outstanding compilation of historical Kentucky players/legends sharing their thoughts regarding their most memorable game as a Wildcat. Their stories take on a fervor as they are being relayed to the reader through the hand of the gifted author, who is a true Big Blue fan. This is a must read for anyone who is interested in Kentucky basketball or just a fan of the college game.

Ray Salemi provides concise, step-by-step techniques to assist managers and supervisors deal with the aftermath of running a business or department after a layoff has occured. This book is specific in it's approach to what's helpful and what's not in dealing with issues such as communication, morale, next steps, etc. for the leader responsible for picking up the pieces. A good read, not just for managers and supervisors, but anyone who may be concerned about the effects of layoffs.

Leading After A Layoff is a well-crafted book that will prove particularly useful to company leaders looking to keep their company and staff focused and energized after they have gone through a resizing, rightsizing or even downsizing.

The information is delivered with clarity and from experience. Ray Salemi's background and experiences come through in the book and I suggest this book for anyone anticipating a layoff in their company's future.

Author Ray Salemi's neat little book offers excellent advice on how to get through "the worst of times." Management treads thin ice after layoffs. Everyone is sensitive and even the smallest error in dealing with colleagues can be magnified. When productivity drops, frustration naturally sets in. Salemi points out the most serious land mines managers should avoid. He focuses on the needs of mid-level managers and project team leaders, rather than those higher up the executive food chain. The book's advice, while sometimes basic, will substantially bolster the emotional intelligence quotient of the average manager coping with the awkward post-layoff period. We strongly recommend this book to managers who have avoided the layoff purge and now need to rally the stunned survivors.

Excellent book, it shows in a very clear way how every one, can improve his/her talents an can be a better team player and leader.

I relly like the way Lee Ellis explanis people talents and how every talent has its positive side.

I work with executives and entreprenuers to experience maximum performance, career success and abundant life through continuous assessment, alignment and action steps that help them explore, educate and employ their gifts, passions and calling based on purpose-centered, whole-life planning. Leading Talents, Leading Teams not only provides insight into how people work best, but also develop effective leadership teams. Brian Ray, Founder, Primus Consulting

This book is fantastic!!! It has shone a new light on my struggles... with pinpoint accuracy. Detailed work is the most
challenging for me. As a result of this insightful book - I repeat the "engaging" persons mantra often - "Focus, focus, focus" "No, No, No" & "Prioritise, Prioritise, Prioritise".

It has also provided me the best framework / paradigm I have yet to come across on leadership (accomplish the mission and look
after the people).

I thought Dave wrote a book that is easy to read and easy to understand. Very good information for someone going into a leadership role. I was able to read it in about a day. I have owned the book for years and often refer back to it.

The format and style of this book is ideal for anyone who needs to understand the subject quickly and without too heavy a read.

It's the kind of book that can be slipped into a desk drawer, glove compartment or bedside shelf.

The learning is taking place effortlessly and it's possible to read and retain the learning points that you accumulate as you flow through the sections.

I would recommend this book strongly.

I would recommend this book to anyone that is in a leadership position or on a team. The book took me about five hours to read, but I will be using these ideas for a lifetime. Using the popular temperament theory (ref: Please Understand Me; D.Keirsey) along with the concept of shared vision, Mr. Specht has illuminated the need for incorporating each person's psychological needs into the group's mission, whether it be on a team or within the whole company. A special addition to the book is the last section called "Your Half of the Contract for Shared Vision Process" which is a self-exploratory "quick guide" to going through the process that the main character has described in the text. It helps you get a rough idea of what your temperament is and helps you build a short mission statement for yourself. I can see this book making an impact on employees throughout companies everywhere, so I recommend that you get a head start by reading it today.