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What it Takes to be Number One
“I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour—his greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear—is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle—victorious.”
These words of Vince Lombardi, head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, still ring with the same force they did when first spoken over forty years ago. Countless speakers still use these words to move and inspire millions.
Now, through the incredible insight of the great coach’s son, readers will get an inside look at the man behind these words. In nine chapters named after Lombardi’s top values—commitment, discipline, excellence, mental toughness, habit, faith, passion, results, and truth—Vince Lombardi Jr. provides powerful motivation to chase down victory and claim it for yourself.
These words of Vince Lombardi, head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, still ring with the same force they did when first spoken over forty years ago. Countless speakers still use these words to move and inspire millions.
Now, through the incredible insight of the great coach’s son, readers will get an inside look at the man behind these words. In nine chapters named after Lombardi’s top values—commitment, discipline, excellence, mental toughness, habit, faith, passion, results, and truth—Vince Lombardi Jr. provides powerful motivation to chase down victory and claim it for yourself.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
104 people are currently reading
877 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
January 23, 2011
This book opened my eyes on what it takes to be a leader and how to achieve success. If you want to be the greatest at your game you have to dedicate yourself to that cause and let nothing get in your way. To achieve greatness mental attitude and the will to do anything are always going to have to be better than the competition.
September 21, 2013
This was a decent quick book by his son (not really junior given a different middle name, but called himself such to avoid confusion) and he is right that his father's legacy does shine over people who were born well after he died. From all accounts, he would have been an excellent influence on all those who knew him.
Many good lines in this book, including:
The Jesuits believed that humans could perfect themselves through hard work and dedication to excellence, principles that guided Lombardi for the rest of his life.
He didn't hesitate to ask questions when he didn't understand something; didn't tolerate answers that he considered half-baked. (That is much appreciated if someone wastes a half hour or more of your time by not speaking up if they lack comprehension.)
The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
Leader is defined by "what he does in a specific situation"
Many good lines in this book, including:
The Jesuits believed that humans could perfect themselves through hard work and dedication to excellence, principles that guided Lombardi for the rest of his life.
He didn't hesitate to ask questions when he didn't understand something; didn't tolerate answers that he considered half-baked. (That is much appreciated if someone wastes a half hour or more of your time by not speaking up if they lack comprehension.)
The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
Leader is defined by "what he does in a specific situation"
February 19, 2018
I really enjoyed the frankness and straight forward approach of the author. Many business books sugar coat their lessons - this one doesn’t! The sheer number of must do tips that shine through are so many. This is a must buy investment for everyone wanting to develop themselves and the people around them.
February 11, 2024
This book was a disappointment to say the least. I made the mistake thinking that this was written by the late great Vince Lombardi. It turned out that it was written by his son, Vince jr.. I didn’t want to know anything about him or read anything that he wrote.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2023
This is a good bio of a natural leader that also found his niche in life. It was a tragedy he died so young. His son does a very good job of capturing the life lessons in an engaging manner.
February 7, 2025
As we approach Super Bowl LIX I called an audible and decided to listen to a leadership book written by the son of one of the most legendary coaches in the NFL.
It was a good book for a football fan who wants to understand the inner workings of an NFL coach in the 1960s, but I'm not sure all the tactics resonate with a 2025 people leader.
Even once great coaches such as Bill belichick have fallen out of Grace in the NFL do largely, I believe, to their inability to change from micromanager to servant leadership.
The book is an interesting take as a football fan but skeptical take as a business leader.
It was a good book for a football fan who wants to understand the inner workings of an NFL coach in the 1960s, but I'm not sure all the tactics resonate with a 2025 people leader.
Even once great coaches such as Bill belichick have fallen out of Grace in the NFL do largely, I believe, to their inability to change from micromanager to servant leadership.
The book is an interesting take as a football fan but skeptical take as a business leader.
April 5, 2015
I hate hate hate this book. It is repetitive and preachy in the worst way. And it involves the Packers, a team that I hate almost as much as the Cubs. If my boss didn't make me read it I would have hurled it as far from me as I could. No human should ever be subjected to the life lessons regurgitated by Lombardi's son. Don't do it. The End.
August 22, 2016
Vince, Jr. is very disorganized as he describes his legendary father's leadership style. Although there are a few choice nuggets and interesting anecdotes, this juice wasn't worth the squeeze.
June 29, 2023
This was a short but dense book encompassing Vince Lombardi’s strategy on how to lead. Lombardi was a great coach and his legacy is that of a hardworking, mentally tough, and ultimately successful man who inspired his players to give everything they had. Most of the lessons in this book focused on character, specifically that of integrity, self-knowledge, discipline, and mental toughness. It is full of life-lessons and gives practical guidance for becoming a leader and how to lead others.
I appreciated this book’s passion for leading and its lessons but don’t think this book applies perfectly to business leaders. Rather I think it would be applicable for parents and coaches, especially those who seek to lead young men. I also think this book would be most appreciated by fans of the NFL who are already familiar with Lombardi’s legacy. Overall, it is a great book on leadership, but perhaps not the most applicable to all situations.
I appreciated this book’s passion for leading and its lessons but don’t think this book applies perfectly to business leaders. Rather I think it would be applicable for parents and coaches, especially those who seek to lead young men. I also think this book would be most appreciated by fans of the NFL who are already familiar with Lombardi’s legacy. Overall, it is a great book on leadership, but perhaps not the most applicable to all situations.
January 20, 2018
Vince Lombardi the most inspirational man in the world. This book talks about his journey from team to team until he had the greatest seasons of his life with the Green Bay Packers. Vince focused on work ethic more then any other coach in the league he brought a team that would win one game a season to winning multiple national championships. This work force as a coach is elaborated through this story of he made the Green Bay Packers number one. It shows the struggle he had to overcome and how he completely reformed his team the way he wanted to.I highly recommend this book to people interested in being motivated about how fundamentals are the key to success but you need to work for them.
September 17, 2022
This book was, of course, focused around Lumbardy‘s football career and some of his famous public speaking engagements. His son was the author and drew out several very important points that were important to Lombardi‘s leader ship method. Most of it dealt with integrity and building character and then inspiring your team. All those are very important things and should be the foundation of any organization or leaders tool kit. If a leader can’t uphold the integrity required, they should not be in leader ship at all. In any level. I did also enjoy that his faith was a part of this that people want to overlook nowadays, but I feel it’s very important, and necessary for great leader ship.
January 11, 2020
I initially had a hard time getting into this book, but I’m glad I kept it in the line up.
So many books on leadership try to be innovative and too often lack the impact on the leader and the led.
This book reveals how Lombardi worked to get this teams to have “extreme ownership” and to be balanced between dichotomies to achieve greatness beyond themselves for the good of their teams.
In many ways this book is a better distillation of those themes while also touching on the importance of character in the leader and the team.
Surprisingly good.
So many books on leadership try to be innovative and too often lack the impact on the leader and the led.
This book reveals how Lombardi worked to get this teams to have “extreme ownership” and to be balanced between dichotomies to achieve greatness beyond themselves for the good of their teams.
In many ways this book is a better distillation of those themes while also touching on the importance of character in the leader and the team.
Surprisingly good.
November 3, 2024
A work of love written by Coach Lombardi's son. The book applies leadership lessons from Coach's speeches and home life to business situations. I enjoyed the "sports-as-business" genre prior to my retirement and found I still enjoy a well written book along these lines. The book was very organized and well written - I've found recently that offsprings of famous people can write books that are not organized or well written but this one is. I was both entertained and educated.
September 9, 2019
I thought this was just awesome. It is packed with so much good content and inspiration. I’ve underlined so much, so I’m looking forward to revisiting this book many times and review some key points. Excellent.
November 16, 2025
Great book about leadership from Vince Lombardi with his son adding to each quote. Quick read and inspirational. Worth reading and everything Lombardi says is valuable and should be how people run businesses.
September 21, 2017
..is what i read to be number one..
May 20, 2019
Short and good book.
It is a quick read, good insights on it, but as you read, it seems you are reading the same motivational stuff from whoever
It is a quick read, good insights on it, but as you read, it seems you are reading the same motivational stuff from whoever
November 25, 2019
Great quick read on Lombardi’s speech that has been used in business, sports, and throughout leadership seminars. Highly recommended!
March 21, 2020
Great book with many valuable lessons and anecdotes. Recommended for those who are interested in learning how to gain a mental edge over the adversary.
May 18, 2020
Good read.
May 20, 2022
There’s no doubt there’s a lot to learn from the great achievements of Vince Lombardi and this book emphasize on the key learnings you can then take and implement into your life.
February 23, 2024
Great book on leadership for leaders of any organization!
May 13, 2024
Great leadership book, outstanding way of using football as a way to teach great leadership and team work.
June 25, 2024
Nice overview of leadership from a coaching standpoint. I had presented in college on the book without reading in its entirety. Very much enjoyed the extra detail.
August 28, 2024
Good insight into leadership practices. Every chapter is chucked full of good leadership wisdom.
August 29, 2024
As a life-long Bears fan I hate to admit that I did enjoy this book!
April 11, 2020
Great quick read
Read this in an evening, very easy read and applicable to life. Lombardi was a great man and to see what made him tick seems obtainable for anyone willing to put in the work.
Read this in an evening, very easy read and applicable to life. Lombardi was a great man and to see what made him tick seems obtainable for anyone willing to put in the work.
February 19, 2017
The core of it all Values.
Great book that highlights what it means to WIN not only in football but in life. This book is a quick read with deep truths that are applicable to all generations. Read it and apply it.
Great book that highlights what it means to WIN not only in football but in life. This book is a quick read with deep truths that are applicable to all generations. Read it and apply it.
May 24, 2012
What it takes to be number one By: Vince Lombardi and Vince Lombardi jr.. what does it take to be number 1? Winner of five championships and super bowl one and two. Green bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi, no single name in football history communicates with such strong visions, disipline,commitment, and of coursewinning. his secrets to winning are very well written in this book. What it Takes To Be Number One is based on Vince's most famous speech and provides a game plan for you to be a winner at whatever you choose to do with it. a quote from the and his ledgendary speech that I thought was worth sharing is ", the spirit, the will to win and the will to excel, these are the things that will endure and these are the qaulities that are so important than any of the events themselves." this book i would give a 8/10 because it is a very useful and informational book and an easy read. just because it's an easy read doesn't mean that it is a bad book or a "kid book" but i would recommend this book even to adults.
May 23, 2015
Excellent Book on leadership and what it takes to be successful at any business. Very simple concepts but this book outlines how simple it can be made and how following these guidelines will help all leaders. I believe this book is for anyone that is interested in leadership be it coaching, youth sports or higher levels and for business leaders. First Line Managers Business Owners and C level executives.
For all business leaders, or those who aspire to leadership, What It Takes to Be #1 is a game plan for achieving Lombardi-like success in virtually any endeavor.
‘You've got to be smart to be number one in any business. But more importantly, you've got to play with your heart, with every fiber of your body. If you're lucky enough to find a guy with a lot of head and a lot of heart, he's never going to come off the field second.” Coach Vincent T. Lombardi
After reading this and applying the principles you too and your teams will have the ability to exit any endeavor - victorious
For all business leaders, or those who aspire to leadership, What It Takes to Be #1 is a game plan for achieving Lombardi-like success in virtually any endeavor.
‘You've got to be smart to be number one in any business. But more importantly, you've got to play with your heart, with every fiber of your body. If you're lucky enough to find a guy with a lot of head and a lot of heart, he's never going to come off the field second.” Coach Vincent T. Lombardi
After reading this and applying the principles you too and your teams will have the ability to exit any endeavor - victorious
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews