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Running Into the Wind: Bronco Mendenhall - 5 Strategies for Building a Successful Team
There is no other collegiate football program in the world like the one found at Brigham Young University. None. Certainly that has much to do with the fact that the school is the largest religious university in the United States, owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But perhaps there is an even more unique differentiator - a head football coach who is unwavering in his unorthodox style of mentoring, strengthening, teaching, and even recuiting his players. Bronco Mendenhalls coaching style is considered jaw-dropping by many and ludicrous to some. However, no one can overlook the success the Cougars have had. How does his team consistently win ten or more games year after year? What philosophy and practices did Bronco implement to create this sustained success? One thing we know is that Bronco's system goes against the grain. He believes that running into the wind is an opportunityu and is key to ultimately creating a sustained competitive advantage. The first section, On the Field, discusses the challenges Bronco has faced as the head coach, the principles and practices he learned to face those challenges, and the on-field applications and results. The second section, In the Football Offices, looks deeper into Broncos system and the business principles and tools of the five smooth stones that Bronco was taught by Paul Gustavson. Whether you are a coach or a leader, the organization strategies and models that Paul taught Bronco can be applied to any business or team. Simple, this section is where the coach of the coach will coach you, too.
380 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 20 reviews
October 15, 2012
This book is a wonderful teaching manual for improving organizations; the way they are run, the way they are internally structured, and the way they strive to improve. Paul Gustavson stands by the saying "Organizations are perfectly designed to get the results they get" and throughout this book instructs the reader on how to change the organization to achieve different results.
I love anecdotes and analogies. I learn better with them, I teach using them, and I have more fun reading instructions and teachings with them. This book is full of stories, quotes, and teachings that illustrate how the BYU football team took organizational management techniques and used Paul's "5 Smooth Stones" teachings to revitalize a program that had stumbled in recent years. I found many of the teachings of both the organizational management and the stories that BYU's staff and players shared to be personally invigorating in my own spirit and motivation. I would recommend this book to anyone who has any interest in making a change in their life or job. This will help motivate, encourage, and teach you how to change things and why the mere act of being different can be an improvement.
I love anecdotes and analogies. I learn better with them, I teach using them, and I have more fun reading instructions and teachings with them. This book is full of stories, quotes, and teachings that illustrate how the BYU football team took organizational management techniques and used Paul's "5 Smooth Stones" teachings to revitalize a program that had stumbled in recent years. I found many of the teachings of both the organizational management and the stories that BYU's staff and players shared to be personally invigorating in my own spirit and motivation. I would recommend this book to anyone who has any interest in making a change in their life or job. This will help motivate, encourage, and teach you how to change things and why the mere act of being different can be an improvement.
February 24, 2017
This book was really good because it explained great coaching strategies. I learned a lot from this book. Next year I was asked to help coach my 10 year old brother's team and this book really helped me to learn coaching strategies from one of the greatest coaches to ever coach the Cougars.
November 13, 2013
I really enjoyed reading this book. I borrowed a copy from the Library, but intend to purchase my own to mark up, take notes from, and continue to think about the principles taught by the authors. The principles focus on organizational effectiveness. The bonus, for me, was reading about the application of these principles in an organization I love to watch on the football field.
I also found it inspiring to read about an organization committed to excellence in many areas including faith, family, moral values, honor, and tradition. Performance on the football field, while important, is only one measure of organizational success. In an age and time when talented athletes seem to be focused on "winning at all costs" and subsequently abandoning the opportunities to serve role models for qualities beyond athleticism, I enjoyed reading about men and young men who are committed to using their athletic gifts and success to advance and communicate the importance of more meaningful values and character traits.
I also found it inspiring to read about an organization committed to excellence in many areas including faith, family, moral values, honor, and tradition. Performance on the football field, while important, is only one measure of organizational success. In an age and time when talented athletes seem to be focused on "winning at all costs" and subsequently abandoning the opportunities to serve role models for qualities beyond athleticism, I enjoyed reading about men and young men who are committed to using their athletic gifts and success to advance and communicate the importance of more meaningful values and character traits.
October 20, 2013
Whew! I finally finished this great book about my beloved Cougars, by their coach, Bronco Mendenhall. It has taken me a couple of months to read this book, not because it wasn't good, but because it is a book that not only entertains and tells the story of BYU Cougar Football, but it teaches strategies that can help all of us in our families and in other aspects of our lives.
Running Into the Wind is divided into two sections: 1-"On the Field," which tells the story of Bronco Mendenhall and his philosophy of life and coaching. 2-"In the Football Offices," which teaches us the strategies of the system that Mendenhall used to build his team, and illustrates the "Five Smooth Stones" theories. I enjoyed the first section 5 stars worth, and loved the inside stories of Coach Mendenhall's life and beliefs, and stories of the players and their perspective on BYU football. The second section, though informative, was heavy reading, and not as applicable to my stage of life.
If you love BYU football, you would enjoy this book a lot.
Running Into the Wind is divided into two sections: 1-"On the Field," which tells the story of Bronco Mendenhall and his philosophy of life and coaching. 2-"In the Football Offices," which teaches us the strategies of the system that Mendenhall used to build his team, and illustrates the "Five Smooth Stones" theories. I enjoyed the first section 5 stars worth, and loved the inside stories of Coach Mendenhall's life and beliefs, and stories of the players and their perspective on BYU football. The second section, though informative, was heavy reading, and not as applicable to my stage of life.
If you love BYU football, you would enjoy this book a lot.
May 22, 2013
Interesting to see the philosophy behind Bronco's coaching, however it comes across as very self-serving and overly complimentary of the program, especially in light of last year's results. People who read this book right when it came out probably loved it. One year later however (especially considering the wholesale changes in the offensive coaching staff) and it seems like the philosophies may not be working quite as they had hoped. Overall, it just seemed overly optimistic and fake.
March 5, 2013
The overriding affect of this book on me was to influence me to be better. I made some fundamental changes to both my professional and personal life that I'd been entertaining for a while but just hadn't had the discipline to implement. Reading about the BYU football program's discipline and drive for a unique kind of success did the trick. Just so motivating.
April 5, 2016
A uniquely informative and surprisingly applicable book. Bronco Mendenhall has a story worth telling and reading. The strategies outlined within these pages are not just for football or business, but for anyone wanting to reach out to others and be successful. It has an over-arching theme of positivity.
September 27, 2015
An insider's look at how the BYU football program maintains their unique standards/practices in the competitive world of college football. As a Cougar fan, I enjoyed the insights from the players and coaches. However, the book overall felt a tad uneven as far as the quality of writing--a common problem with today's sports/motivational type of books.
November 28, 2017
It was a great book. It had insight about creating a successful team and giving great examples by using the BYU football team. The principles you learn can be easily applied to your team or company. I liked it because it was easy to read and had lots of info. Bronco Mendenhall is a very successful and very good at his job.
September 1, 2012
Great book. It's brand new. Just came out this week 8/30/12. A compelling story of strategies used by football coach, Bronco Mendenhall. It is also a tutor in how to build a successful team, no matter what kind of team. Well, written.
October 24, 2012
As a BYU football fan, this book is easily consumed. It is loaded with the type of "insider" information fans crave. As a business book, I am torn...the principles ring true but the delivery left me wanting.
September 24, 2012
Although you may be tempted to believe that this is just about football, don't be misled. It is much, much more. It is about vision, values, perseverance, and character. This is about business, family, faith, and - oh yes - sports. Recommended for anyone who likes positive models and messages.
March 28, 2013
Great book that made me think about my responsibilities as an employee, husband, and father and how I can make each of these opportunities better. Even more so because there are different things because we are all different and I can make those the best.
February 17, 2014
I loved getting a "behind the scenes" look at BYU football with Bronco. I have a new respect for him and what he does at BYU. I didn't love the leadership tips, some of them clicked but for the most part it was just okay.
July 30, 2013
Great book on the machinery of BYU football. Would have had more stars if I was more interested in business management. A lot of useful personal applications. Something I would read again.
December 7, 2012
I enjoyed reading about Mendenhall's coaching philosophy. I would love to have this man coach my son.
February 28, 2015
Too much to do with byu football and not enough about the title of the book.
January 23, 2015
This book, designed to help coaches is also a very good book for many endeavors. It really teaches about priorities. I really enjoyed it!,
July 21, 2013
Great book with many interesting stories and real life lessions.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 20 reviews