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How Winning Works: 8 Essential Leadership Lessons from the Toughest Teams on Earth
Robyn Benincasa has made an art form of extreme performance by competing and winning at the highest levels of sport and business. In her fifteen-year career as a professional adventure racer, she has biked through jungles in Borneo, climbed Himalayan giants in Nepal, trekked across lava fields in Fiji, rafted rapids in Chile—and racked up multiple world championship titles along the way. In her spare time, she is a firefighter and a sought-after keynote speaker on the subject of teamwork and leadership.
In How Winning Works, Benincasa shows you how to climb to new levels of professional and personal success. She shares the eight essential elements of teamwork, learned through her extreme adventure racing, that create synergy with all the teammates in your life, from colleagues and customers to family members and
T otal Commitment
E mpathy and Awareness
A dversity Management
M utual Respect
" W e" Thinking
O wnership of the Project
R elinquishment of Ego
K inetic Leadership
This field guide to success shares the same training tools and exercises that have become wildly popular in the leadership seminars Benincasa gives to corporations, including Starbucks, Deloitte Consulting, 3M, Verizon, Nestlé, Boeing and many others. Stories from her adventure racing also illustrate how winning teams interact under the world's most extreme conditions, from jungles to mountain peaks.
Whether you're trying to beat the competition to market with a new product, scale a looming mountain of deadlines or simply get your kids to clean up their rooms, the advice in this book will take you on an adventure you'll never forget, and coach you over the finish line to success.
In How Winning Works, Benincasa shows you how to climb to new levels of professional and personal success. She shares the eight essential elements of teamwork, learned through her extreme adventure racing, that create synergy with all the teammates in your life, from colleagues and customers to family members and
T otal Commitment
E mpathy and Awareness
A dversity Management
M utual Respect
" W e" Thinking
O wnership of the Project
R elinquishment of Ego
K inetic Leadership
This field guide to success shares the same training tools and exercises that have become wildly popular in the leadership seminars Benincasa gives to corporations, including Starbucks, Deloitte Consulting, 3M, Verizon, Nestlé, Boeing and many others. Stories from her adventure racing also illustrate how winning teams interact under the world's most extreme conditions, from jungles to mountain peaks.
Whether you're trying to beat the competition to market with a new product, scale a looming mountain of deadlines or simply get your kids to clean up their rooms, the advice in this book will take you on an adventure you'll never forget, and coach you over the finish line to success.
- GenresBusiness
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
26 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 30, 2022
Quick read by an accomplished fire fighter and Eco Challenge adventure athlete.
Robyn uses race stories to illustrate her 8 points of TEAMWORK:
T-otal commitment
E-mpathy and awareness
A-diversity management
M-utual respect
W-e thinking
O-wmership of the project
R-elinquishment of ego
K-enetic leadership
Robyn uses race stories to illustrate her 8 points of TEAMWORK:
T-otal commitment
E-mpathy and awareness
A-diversity management
M-utual respect
W-e thinking
O-wmership of the project
R-elinquishment of ego
K-enetic leadership
October 17, 2013
If you are into individualism skip this book--if you want to know what it is like to create a winning TEAM, read this and grab her thought process and learn. She exemplifies teamwork; fire department, team extreme competition. She did a wonderful job on this topic and this book.
June 16, 2016
Teamwork as a topic might seem boring, but not when a world-class extreme race competitor like Robyn Benincasa writes about it. Her tales of teamwork while competing in an extreme race like the Eco-Challenge sometimes involve life or death situations and they are some of the most fascinating stories of strength, endurance and grit you will ever read. And, while her remarks on teamwork in business are nowhere as exciting as the ones on racing, they are just as valuable, and that’s what makes How Winning Works so compelling. This book really highlights how invaluable teamwork is to your success in life, business and sports.
Having competed in 35 extreme racing events, Robyn has plenty of fascinating stories to draw upon. She uses them effectively throughout the book to drive home her 8 elements of TEAMWORK. The stories are what really hit home for me and allowed me to embrace the idea of teamwork more passionately in life and business (sports are pretty much over for me at 44 years young). All are noteworthy, but the first two came with such ridiculously entertaining racing stories that I must share them.
Element #1, TOTAL COMMITMENT. How many of us are totally committed to our business or company? Do you go the extra mile? Are you willing to stand strong even if an unforeseen event occurs that you are not responsible for but must come to grips with?
In 1995, Robyn and her teammates were in Patagonia, Argentina for the Raid Gauloises. They were participating in a 300-mile race through Patagonia terrain that included a 14,000 ft. hike midway through. What started out as a 100-degree day soon became a snowstorm at the top of the mountain. Not to mention a checkpoint that was a ½ mile east of where it was supposed to be. And, it got worse. Two of her teammates were near death due to hypothermia. Robyn and her teammates had to act quickly, so they climbed back down the mountain where they were told by race officials that two teams ahead of them had found the checkpoint so if they did not climb back up they would be disqualified. So they did what any team that wanted to win would have done, they climbed back up. Robyn and her team were TOTALLY COMMITTED! Are you?
This book was off to a great start. I felt alive as Robyn took me to countries I’ve never been to, and did things I’ve never done and writes with such exquisite detail that I feel like I’m along for the ride.
Element #2, EMPATHY AND AWARENESS. Now this might be just a huge coincidence, if you believe in those things, but just a week or so ago, a friend from the fitness industry posted that the greatest skill a trainer/coach can have is empathy. I was floored. I immediately felt my heart resonate with those words and I agree 100%. Ok maybe tied with passion, but it’s highly debatable. So here I am again hanging on every word of this book.
Again, an amazing story draws me in and teaches me about the power of teamwork in business and life. This time, the country is Sweden and the problem is not another teammate, but Robyn herself. Seems she has come down with trench foot which means your feet are unable to repel moisture. This disease comes from having her feet submerged in water for an unhealthy period of time and now when she walks it feels like she is walking on glass. Ouch!
What gets Robyn through this tough time? A teammate. A teammate who was aware enough to forget about winning for a while because a fellow member needed some uplifting. He started singing with Robyn, they knew many of the same songs. It helped get her mind off the pain. By taking the time out to acknowledge someone else in a time of need, the team was able to get to the finish line as a team.
“People will always remember how you treated them in their lowest moments.”
An even more amazing story of empathy occurred in Fiji when Robyn and crew drank water that was contaminated with parasites. This infection is known as giardiasis and it affects the small intestine. Similar to a bad case of food poisoning, you are being flushed from both ends. So the teammate that could no longer take it passed out in his boat for most of the ride. When they pulled to shore he was up to his neck in feces. A big burly man of Fijian descent who had been watching the race came out of the woods and picked the man up out of the boat. Robyn and her comrades followed this man as he carried their teammate 12 miles deep into the woods to his hut that he shares with his wife and two kids. I was struck by the kindness of this man. He showed empathy to a total stranger. That is true human connection and teamwork.
Most of us do not have jobs that require this type of danger, nevertheless, these lessons of teamwork are still invaluable. That’s why several top Fortune 500 companies such as Texaco, AT&T, Johnson and Johnson and Deloitte bring Robyn in to speak to their organizations. They understand that very few people in the world have had to undergo the extreme events that this woman has endured. If you’re looking for someone who understands teamwork at the highest level, she is it.
Whether you are working for yourself or for a Fortune 500 company, we can all become better at serving our clients and working with each other by applying Robyn’s 8 essential elements of teamwork. You’ve got to understand that Robyn lives today purely because of TEAMWORK. In order for us to succeed at the highest level we cannot do it alone. We must do it as a team.
“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we put out completes the circle and comes back to us.” Flora Edwards
These are the other six essential elements of teamwork:
Element #3 Adversity Management
Element#4 Mutual Respect
Element #5 We Thinking
Element #6 Ownership of the Project
Element #7 Relinquishment of Ego
Element #8 Kinetic Leadership
Having competed in 35 extreme racing events, Robyn has plenty of fascinating stories to draw upon. She uses them effectively throughout the book to drive home her 8 elements of TEAMWORK. The stories are what really hit home for me and allowed me to embrace the idea of teamwork more passionately in life and business (sports are pretty much over for me at 44 years young). All are noteworthy, but the first two came with such ridiculously entertaining racing stories that I must share them.
Element #1, TOTAL COMMITMENT. How many of us are totally committed to our business or company? Do you go the extra mile? Are you willing to stand strong even if an unforeseen event occurs that you are not responsible for but must come to grips with?
In 1995, Robyn and her teammates were in Patagonia, Argentina for the Raid Gauloises. They were participating in a 300-mile race through Patagonia terrain that included a 14,000 ft. hike midway through. What started out as a 100-degree day soon became a snowstorm at the top of the mountain. Not to mention a checkpoint that was a ½ mile east of where it was supposed to be. And, it got worse. Two of her teammates were near death due to hypothermia. Robyn and her teammates had to act quickly, so they climbed back down the mountain where they were told by race officials that two teams ahead of them had found the checkpoint so if they did not climb back up they would be disqualified. So they did what any team that wanted to win would have done, they climbed back up. Robyn and her team were TOTALLY COMMITTED! Are you?
This book was off to a great start. I felt alive as Robyn took me to countries I’ve never been to, and did things I’ve never done and writes with such exquisite detail that I feel like I’m along for the ride.
Element #2, EMPATHY AND AWARENESS. Now this might be just a huge coincidence, if you believe in those things, but just a week or so ago, a friend from the fitness industry posted that the greatest skill a trainer/coach can have is empathy. I was floored. I immediately felt my heart resonate with those words and I agree 100%. Ok maybe tied with passion, but it’s highly debatable. So here I am again hanging on every word of this book.
Again, an amazing story draws me in and teaches me about the power of teamwork in business and life. This time, the country is Sweden and the problem is not another teammate, but Robyn herself. Seems she has come down with trench foot which means your feet are unable to repel moisture. This disease comes from having her feet submerged in water for an unhealthy period of time and now when she walks it feels like she is walking on glass. Ouch!
What gets Robyn through this tough time? A teammate. A teammate who was aware enough to forget about winning for a while because a fellow member needed some uplifting. He started singing with Robyn, they knew many of the same songs. It helped get her mind off the pain. By taking the time out to acknowledge someone else in a time of need, the team was able to get to the finish line as a team.
“People will always remember how you treated them in their lowest moments.”
An even more amazing story of empathy occurred in Fiji when Robyn and crew drank water that was contaminated with parasites. This infection is known as giardiasis and it affects the small intestine. Similar to a bad case of food poisoning, you are being flushed from both ends. So the teammate that could no longer take it passed out in his boat for most of the ride. When they pulled to shore he was up to his neck in feces. A big burly man of Fijian descent who had been watching the race came out of the woods and picked the man up out of the boat. Robyn and her comrades followed this man as he carried their teammate 12 miles deep into the woods to his hut that he shares with his wife and two kids. I was struck by the kindness of this man. He showed empathy to a total stranger. That is true human connection and teamwork.
Most of us do not have jobs that require this type of danger, nevertheless, these lessons of teamwork are still invaluable. That’s why several top Fortune 500 companies such as Texaco, AT&T, Johnson and Johnson and Deloitte bring Robyn in to speak to their organizations. They understand that very few people in the world have had to undergo the extreme events that this woman has endured. If you’re looking for someone who understands teamwork at the highest level, she is it.
Whether you are working for yourself or for a Fortune 500 company, we can all become better at serving our clients and working with each other by applying Robyn’s 8 essential elements of teamwork. You’ve got to understand that Robyn lives today purely because of TEAMWORK. In order for us to succeed at the highest level we cannot do it alone. We must do it as a team.
“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we put out completes the circle and comes back to us.” Flora Edwards
These are the other six essential elements of teamwork:
Element #3 Adversity Management
Element#4 Mutual Respect
Element #5 We Thinking
Element #6 Ownership of the Project
Element #7 Relinquishment of Ego
Element #8 Kinetic Leadership
April 10, 2024
This is action-and insight-packed leadership reading through an alternative lens.
I love the way Benincasa uses stories of her adventure racing team / firefighting experiences to share what they have taught her about what winning really looks like and what it takes to be a world class leader. I also loved the accessibility of these lessons - that they can be applied anywhere, starting with developing an implementation plan in the final pages of the book!
An unexpected and fantastic favourite to keep on the shelf for dipping back in (I believe that's how winning works!). 5 stars.
I love the way Benincasa uses stories of her adventure racing team / firefighting experiences to share what they have taught her about what winning really looks like and what it takes to be a world class leader. I also loved the accessibility of these lessons - that they can be applied anywhere, starting with developing an implementation plan in the final pages of the book!
An unexpected and fantastic favourite to keep on the shelf for dipping back in (I believe that's how winning works!). 5 stars.
May 25, 2018
Robyn has so many stories to tell and she makes sure to incorporate the best ones into this book without droning. I love the headlining and sign posting throughout the book; it makes it easy to read and well-organized. Not everyone is an adventure racer or athlete, so she ties it back to the business world and mentions the days when she was a sales person.
January 2, 2021
I loved this book. I’m not what one would call a “reader” finishing a few books a year, but this was mesmerizing. The leadership traits brought out in the course of exciting adventure races that take you on a journey of not only exotic and amazing locations but also on a trip of leadership development. I loved it from start to finish and didn’t want it to end.
December 28, 2019
Saw Robyn at a conference and was impressed by her biceps and courage. She is a leader who has a can do outlook on life. Great story.
May 27, 2020
Felt it was ok. The tie in between her races and team work and leadership was interesting and valid in all aspect of businesses and life.
January 18, 2023
Mostly boilerplate stuff on leadership, but the stories from her days as a firefighter and adventure racer made it more interesting than many other self-help/business books I've read.
March 31, 2023
A different take on lessons learned from extreme sports with an emphasis on teams and teamwork.
March 9, 2017
Great book on how to be a team builder!
The book gives great real life experiences to demonstrate team building! I am inspired and going to join one of Benecasa's Athena Project adventures! Can't wait!!
The book gives great real life experiences to demonstrate team building! I am inspired and going to join one of Benecasa's Athena Project adventures! Can't wait!!
July 20, 2015
I recently saw Robyn Benincasa keynote at a conference, and she was so dynamic and compelling that I jumped at the chance to read a review copy of her new book, "How Winning Works." As the title states, she discusses 8 elements that will result in complete team synergy. She approaches the content from her vast experience competing in and winning extreme adventure races. This woman is amazing; she was a competitive gymnast, a national champion judoka, an Eco-Challenge winner, a world record paddler, an ultra-marathoner, a medalist in multiple Ironman triathlons including the world championship in Kona, and a fire fighter. AND she knows her stuff when it comes to team unity and effectiveness. She approaches the topics with a witty and humorous tone, which for a business book (admittedly not my preferred genre), makes this a painless, speedy, and enjoyable read. "How Winning Works" would be perfect for use in a corporate teambuilding workshop, perhaps read as a group. At the end of each chapter there are relevant activities and questions that can be completed as a team and would be beneficial in building the synergy that Robyn teaches. It also provides a useful perspective for anyone in a leadership or management position or someone who wants to strive for that.
October 8, 2014
I have been so challenged and humbled by this book. I love winning so much, and this book taught me the importance of teamwork when it comes to winning. Always in my life I have relied on myself to be the best and did not want to share the glory. Now I realize that winning is much more than my ego, but it is about team unity and sharing strengths to do the best we can do. Robyn shares 8 keys to teamwork that all are applicable to actual businesses and life situations. The stories she uses are incredibly entertaining, funny, and inspiritational. She also has helpful sections at the end of eack key that help apply the lesson to business. Wonderfully written book, How Winning Works is a book I will read over and over again. And I rarely reread books.
July 10, 2017
This was a really fantastic book - easy to read and I swear my first review on this was very thorough!
All in all - I enjoyed her stories from adventure racing and found the lessons she offered to be easily applied to any team situation. One of my favorite lessons was "equal suffering" - push team members to their limits but if you overload someone with something that is not one of their biggest strengths, they will fail. You have to build people up and distribute so that everyone is putting in a good effort and using their most valuable strengths.
Very good book - recommend picking up a copy (and promise to improve this review!)
All in all - I enjoyed her stories from adventure racing and found the lessons she offered to be easily applied to any team situation. One of my favorite lessons was "equal suffering" - push team members to their limits but if you overload someone with something that is not one of their biggest strengths, they will fail. You have to build people up and distribute so that everyone is putting in a good effort and using their most valuable strengths.
Very good book - recommend picking up a copy (and promise to improve this review!)
May 3, 2013
This was an informative read on leadership. While I still do not know my own leadership style or what motivates me I have read a book to help me explore these ideas. I find it interesting that the most effective form of leadership is the authoritative style. Whereby leaders tell people the end goals and leave it up to them to determine how to reach their potential. While this does not work in every situation it usually gets the best results. Egos need to be left behind and people need to accept help and offer help to meets their goals and the goals of the team.
August 29, 2013
I'm not big on reading self-help books. I generally find them to either take themselves too seriously or be too heavy on rah-rah cheerleading. Robyn Benincasa managed to avoid either extreme with How Winning Works. She entertains the reader with adventure-racing tales from the jungles of Borneo to the heights of the Himalayas. At the same time, she presents her thoughts on how to be a great team leader. I found her application of her lessons to business models a little lacking in depth and specificity, but the book was readable and filled with nuggets of wisdom.
May 4, 2014
Thought it might not be a bad idea to get a little Leadership lesson going given my new job. This was very good because I found the extreme team racing very interesting... she does a great job of illustrating the 8 points of synergy -- and some of the images are so visual that it really made it easy to remember the lesson!
August 28, 2012
As a coach I already know all the things she is talking about, but surely she's so much more than me that I couldn't avoid to believe every little thing she said. More than a veneration than an adult/adult relationship, but it's ok, everybody needs to believe in someone!
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March 11, 2017Category: Self-Help
June 22, 2012
So many times, we read motivstional books and we think, "What crap". I just got back from hiking the GC with her, and this book is her.
June 26, 2013
this was an interesting read but I thought it tried too hard. and I couldn't relate to much of the adventure racing examples. that just seemed insane to me.
July 23, 2013
Very good read. Great insights on team building and being a motivational leader. It seems authentic in that she gave her own personal reflections and experiences.
March 22, 2016
Really enjoyed this book. Great read on teamwork and how important it is to suffer equally and give away the credit.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews