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Leave No Doubt: A Credo for Chasing Your Dreams
Mike Babcock is the only hockey coach in the history of the game to lead teams to victory in the Stanley Cup, the World Championship, and the Olympic Games. Currently head coach for the Detroit Red Wings, he is arguably the best coach in the game today. In this book, against the dramatic backdrop of the Canadian men's gold medal victory in Vancouver, Babcock provides an inspiring roadmap for achieving goals and fulfilling dreams. This is not just a book about hockey but a book about life, rooted in Babcock's "Leave No Doubt" credo. Written by Babcock and his longtime friend Rick Larsen, the credo hung on Team Canada's dressing-room wall during their historic run to Olympic gold. It provides a compelling framework for excelling in life. Illuminated by revealing stories about overcoming doubt, "owning pressure," and making a difference, "Leave No Doubt" is based on a firm belief in everyday commitment and a step by step approach to being "better than good enough." The words originally written for Canada's Olympic gold medal hockey team - leave no doubt, every day counts, our determination will define us - inspire an approach to succeeding in life that is relevant to people of all interests and ambitions. Athlete or not, each of us will find valuable guidance in this succinct primer from one of the most respected leaders in sports.
146 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2012
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184 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 27, 2017
There is no doubt that Mike Babcock is a winner and a great leader who can teach us all something. What he is not, however, is a writer. I feel the book did not go through a proper editorial process and ended up as a haf baked product.
Leave No Doubt is based on a credo written for Canada's 2010 Olympic hockey campaign. Almost every line of the credo gets a chapter. The issue is that the thoughts are loosely connected. Babcock goes from one idea to the other without making sure there is a connection, suddenly going back to the original idea when he's finishing the chapter. The worst part is the blank spaces. Some pages have two paragraphs with a lot of blank below without any reason at all.
Then there are pages.
Where he writes.
Like this.
And it is.
Annoying.
There is also an abuse of certain expressions, like "talk about X".
I only finished this book because I was on a flight and didn't have anything else to read.
It is a shame because the overall ideas behind the book were solid (I liked his thoughts on doubt). The writing killed it for me.
Leave No Doubt is based on a credo written for Canada's 2010 Olympic hockey campaign. Almost every line of the credo gets a chapter. The issue is that the thoughts are loosely connected. Babcock goes from one idea to the other without making sure there is a connection, suddenly going back to the original idea when he's finishing the chapter. The worst part is the blank spaces. Some pages have two paragraphs with a lot of blank below without any reason at all.
Then there are pages.
Where he writes.
Like this.
And it is.
Annoying.
There is also an abuse of certain expressions, like "talk about X".
I only finished this book because I was on a flight and didn't have anything else to read.
It is a shame because the overall ideas behind the book were solid (I liked his thoughts on doubt). The writing killed it for me.
February 24, 2015
A restaurant that combines two different styles of cuisine blended together into new dishes is known as “fusion”. This term could easily apply to “Leave No Doubt”, as well. Are Mike Babcock and Rick Larsen attempting to tell the story of Canada's 2010 Olympic Gold Medal men's hockey team? Yes. Are they trying to present a motivational plan that the reader can apply to his or her daily life? Also yes.
Fans of both genres should absolutely love this book. As coach, Mike Babcock has a great insight into the make-up and events of the Olympic team, and shares some behind-the-scenes things with the reader. As a successful coach, skilled at melding different personalities and skill sets into a championship team, Mike Babcock also has some clear insights on how to set and accomplish a goal.
I am not sure that non-hockey fans would appreciate having to wade through the stories of Team Canada. Conversely, hockey fans looking for stories of players and teams may not appreciate having to deal with the passages dealing with motivational techniques. (They should, however – they are getting a glimpse into the mind of one of the top-ranked coaches in professional sports!)
RATING: 4.5 stars, rounded to 5 stars where half-stars are not permitted. This book accomplishes its goals, and it left an impression with me.
Fans of both genres should absolutely love this book. As coach, Mike Babcock has a great insight into the make-up and events of the Olympic team, and shares some behind-the-scenes things with the reader. As a successful coach, skilled at melding different personalities and skill sets into a championship team, Mike Babcock also has some clear insights on how to set and accomplish a goal.
I am not sure that non-hockey fans would appreciate having to wade through the stories of Team Canada. Conversely, hockey fans looking for stories of players and teams may not appreciate having to deal with the passages dealing with motivational techniques. (They should, however – they are getting a glimpse into the mind of one of the top-ranked coaches in professional sports!)
RATING: 4.5 stars, rounded to 5 stars where half-stars are not permitted. This book accomplishes its goals, and it left an impression with me.
May 3, 2016
What are you doing to create your destiny? If you're not making a difference, what are you making? Are you bringing the world the best you've got?
I think I've found my credo.
I think I've found my credo.
November 21, 2019
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
I started reading the book on the train to work the morning of 20 November. A lot of heat was on Babcock for a Leafs team that has been performing well below expectations. I wanted a bit more insight into what motivates Babcock as a number of his personnel and strategy decisions baffled me.
As I read that morning the book felt strident and arrogant.
While at work, Brendan Shanahan announces that the Leafs had fires Babcock and replaced him with Keefe. As I finished reading the book on the train ride home (it’s really a quick read), my opinion of Babcock and the book warmed up. He does and did a lot of good things and believes in family and service to the community. That comes through in the book.
I did feel as if he wanted to reach from the pages and smack me upside the head with his opinions, though.
I’ll always remember the gold medal game at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
I started reading the book on the train to work the morning of 20 November. A lot of heat was on Babcock for a Leafs team that has been performing well below expectations. I wanted a bit more insight into what motivates Babcock as a number of his personnel and strategy decisions baffled me.
As I read that morning the book felt strident and arrogant.
While at work, Brendan Shanahan announces that the Leafs had fires Babcock and replaced him with Keefe. As I finished reading the book on the train ride home (it’s really a quick read), my opinion of Babcock and the book warmed up. He does and did a lot of good things and believes in family and service to the community. That comes through in the book.
I did feel as if he wanted to reach from the pages and smack me upside the head with his opinions, though.
I’ll always remember the gold medal game at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
November 16, 2018
Such an amazing and important read! Great insight into the hard work and mental preparation going into the 2010 Olympics. However, even if you know nothing about hockey, this book is still a great tool for how to achieve your dreams/goals regardless of the field you're in. Getting a look inside the brain of such a successful and hard working person is a real gift.
March 12, 2023
8.7/10 You have to accept losing for what it is… just a loss. Dust yourself off and don’t take that negative energy into your next game. Winners don’t always have perfect seasons and they have to learn from the mistakes they make along the way. I wouldn’t recommend this book to everyone but I really enjoyed reading about the mindset of a coach fighting for Olympic gold.
October 2, 2019
Very insightful book for those interested in coaching others
August 25, 2023
Good read as Mike Babcock is starting his first year as the CBJ head coach. An interesting insight to his beginnings and running the Canadian Olympic team
December 29, 2023
Leave no doubt as to why you do what you do. Not great and really short
February 28, 2017
Loved it!
June 21, 2013
This book is about more than just hockey, it's about life in general and living it to your full potential. So many people just go through life and never really chase their dreams, this book inspires one to get after what you really want from life and never give up no matter what the circumstance.
Great insight from one of the best hockey coaches around currently in the NHL and very thoughtfully laid out text to allow plenty of room "in the margins" to write down your own thoughts on the topics he covers.
The additional information provided about how things work behind the scenes from a management perspective was also very interesting. It was a very easy read but jam packed full of great life lessons learned. Told in a well written narrative by Babcock and Rick Larsen.
If you are looking for a great book about leadership and sports and just plain life in general than look no further. This is definitely a must read.
Great insight from one of the best hockey coaches around currently in the NHL and very thoughtfully laid out text to allow plenty of room "in the margins" to write down your own thoughts on the topics he covers.
The additional information provided about how things work behind the scenes from a management perspective was also very interesting. It was a very easy read but jam packed full of great life lessons learned. Told in a well written narrative by Babcock and Rick Larsen.
If you are looking for a great book about leadership and sports and just plain life in general than look no further. This is definitely a must read.
September 23, 2023
The Vancouver 2010 Olympic games claims the top spot in Canadian hockey history. Sidney Crosby’s overtime goal fueled patriotism this land has ever felt. This book is not about the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. In fact, the book does not capture the emotions felt by every Canadian who watched the game. The journey is hidden within Babcock’s use of open rhetoric (and blank space) about leadership. If you’re seeking a behind the scenes look at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, look somewhere else.
The only thing I found amusing about this book was the fact that the publisher spelled Shea Weber’s name wrong on page 121.
Sweet revenge? Maybe.
The only thing I found amusing about this book was the fact that the publisher spelled Shea Weber’s name wrong on page 121.
Sweet revenge? Maybe.
June 8, 2012
This was a great book on inspiration, teamwork, leadership, and showing that one person working in an equally strong team who all have the same end goal in mind can achieve success.
If you like hockey, all the details that Mike Babcock enters into the book will be exceptionally enjoyable as well. His interactions with players, other coaches, and even getting his backstory of what brought him there (including his failures) was a great inspration.
Definitely worth a read if you want a book to inspire you.
If you like hockey, all the details that Mike Babcock enters into the book will be exceptionally enjoyable as well. His interactions with players, other coaches, and even getting his backstory of what brought him there (including his failures) was a great inspration.
Definitely worth a read if you want a book to inspire you.
August 9, 2012
Inspiring and motivating, worth a re-read.
August 25, 2013
Mike Babcock is a simple man, with simple words and wisdom. I appreciate that. Not fantastic writing, but a great book for interested hockey fans who could use some guidance.
January 17, 2015
Very inspiring, interesting insight into Mike Babcock's philosophy of winning and excellence. I have food for thought, and a map for facing challenges and achieving success.
May 27, 2016
Dime-store self-help for the most part, but Babcock's theory about pushing past "good enough" really hit home.
February 18, 2017
Great book. Loved it
Read
August 10, 2017If you're not making a difference, what are you making?
A sum.
A sum.
Read
February 13, 2018Interesting insight into Babcock's philosophy on success and how it was applied to the Olympic team. Good book to bang out in an afternoon.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews