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The Messiah Method
How Excellence Happens From 2000 to 2010, the Messiah College soccer program—the men’s team and women’s team combined—posted the best record in NCAA 472 wins, 31 losses, and 20 ties. Few programs were even close. Seventeen Final Fours between them during this time. Eleven national titles. Unbeaten streaks measured not only in games, but in seasons. How do they do it? What’s their secret of success? They use what might be called “the Messiah method,” seven disciplines that propelled these teams from decent to dynasty. They’re seven disciplines that can supercharge your team, too. Whether you’re leading a sports program or a business or a school or a church or any other organization, there’s a proven method to achieve breakthrough performance—and to sustain it year after year. It’s The Messiah Method. It’s how excellence happens. Michael Zigarelli is a Professor of Leadership and Strategy at Messiah College and the author of several books. He’s also a high school soccer coach and an avid student of the game.
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2011
20 people are currently reading
154 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 3, 2021
Just no. If you teach and coach at a Christian school good for you, but if you are anywhere else in the world, do not get discouraged and think you can’t be as great as Messiah and do not think that players who aren’t Christian can’t form solid relationships with their teammates. If you want to live in a bubble go for it, but the rest of us want to embrace the whole world. Team mission trips, playing for God as your audience...there are nuggets of good practice in this book, but they are few and far between.
May 28, 2019
The Messiah Method is a book about Messiah College's amazing excellence in their Men and Women's D3 Soccer program. Zigarelli takes the 7 disciplines the program holds dear and seeks to apply them to coaching, business, churches, and general leadership.
The principles are solid, and the culture they have built their is phenomenal. It's certainly something you can learn from even if you don't take D3 soccer seriously (I have hard enough time taking MLS seriously).
My qualm with the book however is that it should have been labeled as a coaching book. He doesn't spend enough time applying them to other areas like the book claims to do. He left a lot to be desired in most of the disciplines.
The principles are solid, and the culture they have built their is phenomenal. It's certainly something you can learn from even if you don't take D3 soccer seriously (I have hard enough time taking MLS seriously).
My qualm with the book however is that it should have been labeled as a coaching book. He doesn't spend enough time applying them to other areas like the book claims to do. He left a lot to be desired in most of the disciplines.
November 24, 2022
Michael did a great job unveiling what was beneath the success of Messiah's run. The interviews, quotes, and lessons were well placed and organized. I learned some good points around leadership, managing teams with high performance standards, and snagged a couple tactical soccer lessons as well. This was needed book we didn't know we'd get.
July 29, 2019
A great coaching book that discusses how a successful soccer program built an amazing culture that led to success on and off the soccer field.
January 28, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. As a high school soccer coach it gave me several ideas to really think about. I would recommend for other soccer coaches out there.
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August 23, 2020Definitely some good tips, but the author is too much of a fan. If you glorify everything that the staff is doing, I know you aren't giving me the whole story.
June 2, 2014
Without seeing the cover you might guess this is a religious book. Instead the book is about the Messiah College soccer program. Both the men's and women's teams have been incredibly successful over the past few years with numerous NCAA Division III championships.
The author, a professor at Messiah, interviewed coach's and players to determine what principles have made the program successful. The seven principles identified by the author were helpful to consider and they have certainly played a role in Messiah's success.
As a high school soccer coach I found the book to be useful, even if some of the disciplines were not particularly helpful, for example the chapter dealing with recruiting. The other thing I found slightly annoying was the books organization. After describing the principle being examined, the author shared a variety of stories or example from the coaches. This was followed by "testimonials" from players, former players and at times, more comments from the coaches. While interesting, at times these seemed a bit repetitive as if he needed to stretch the text to hit the 200 page mark.
I would recommend this to any coach, particularly a younger coach who is working to develop their philosophy of coaching. The book would be especially helpful for those who hope to incorporate their faith into their coaching. If nothing else I would encourage people to read the epilogue, titled, "Beyond Doubt." Here the author describes how many of us allow ourselves to be limited by own self-doubts. This alone was worth the price of the book.
The author, a professor at Messiah, interviewed coach's and players to determine what principles have made the program successful. The seven principles identified by the author were helpful to consider and they have certainly played a role in Messiah's success.
As a high school soccer coach I found the book to be useful, even if some of the disciplines were not particularly helpful, for example the chapter dealing with recruiting. The other thing I found slightly annoying was the books organization. After describing the principle being examined, the author shared a variety of stories or example from the coaches. This was followed by "testimonials" from players, former players and at times, more comments from the coaches. While interesting, at times these seemed a bit repetitive as if he needed to stretch the text to hit the 200 page mark.
I would recommend this to any coach, particularly a younger coach who is working to develop their philosophy of coaching. The book would be especially helpful for those who hope to incorporate their faith into their coaching. If nothing else I would encourage people to read the epilogue, titled, "Beyond Doubt." Here the author describes how many of us allow ourselves to be limited by own self-doubts. This alone was worth the price of the book.
August 21, 2021
I read this book several years ago, but I just decided to revisit it. Obviously it is about soccer which appeals to me, but it is an excellent leadership book that has multiple applications in different industries.
The consistent emphasis on performing to a standard and creating the right kind of culture is a lesson that all organizations could learn from. Even if you are doing some of these things well, it never hurts to recognize that perfection has still probably not been achieved and there is always room for improvement.
Soccer fans will gain the most out of this book, but I really think it applies to just about anyone. I enjoyed it several years ago, and I enjoyed it again now. It is a very quick read.
The consistent emphasis on performing to a standard and creating the right kind of culture is a lesson that all organizations could learn from. Even if you are doing some of these things well, it never hurts to recognize that perfection has still probably not been achieved and there is always room for improvement.
Soccer fans will gain the most out of this book, but I really think it applies to just about anyone. I enjoyed it several years ago, and I enjoyed it again now. It is a very quick read.
January 3, 2015
This could be called The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Soccer Programs. Michael Zigarelli boils down the seven effective methods of the most amazing soccer program you've probably never heard of. Zigarelli doesn't shy away from the Christian aspect of the college but doesn't use it as a crutch for mediocrity either. Messiah College, both men and women, have won multiple national titles, and MZ interviewed current and past players and coaches to determine their reasons for success. My hope is to utilize some of these techniques in my own non-soccer life. There isn't anything earth shattering in the material, but it is a worthwhile read.
April 1, 2015
Not Just Soccer
I really enjoyed the perspective. It was a little more geared towards God than i expected but that is something that works for the position that I'm in so it was perfect. Definitely a college coaches read, but I think you can learn a lot from outside of college as well. They make it sound like they are great people just to be around, I'd like to walk down the halls of the college and experience it.
I really enjoyed the perspective. It was a little more geared towards God than i expected but that is something that works for the position that I'm in so it was perfect. Definitely a college coaches read, but I think you can learn a lot from outside of college as well. They make it sound like they are great people just to be around, I'd like to walk down the halls of the college and experience it.
Read
April 23, 2015Great read. Insightful study on a successful sports program. Many of the concepts are for coaches in any sport at many levels. I am fascinated that Brandt's success with his "method" didn't translate to the same level of success in D1 at Navy. I took a lot of ideas from the book to apply to my teams and coaching.
July 24, 2012
Great reminders of team culture and what sports are all about.
July 28, 2015
Wow wow
Seeing what the teams at Messiah have done is great. I learned a lot for my own organization. My daughter loves soccer so I identified with a lot of the examples as well
Seeing what the teams at Messiah have done is great. I learned a lot for my own organization. My daughter loves soccer so I identified with a lot of the examples as well
April 26, 2016
One of the best books I've ever read on leadership and cultivating positive team/organizational culture. I would highly recommend it to any leader.
December 17, 2015
Great ideas that translate easily to other group activities.
April 18, 2015
Lots of great ideas for coaches of all sports.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews