The New Science of Momentum: How the Best Coaches and Leaders Build a Fire from a Single Spark

by Don Yaeger

Learn how to harness the awesome power of momentum! 

Despite overwhelming belief among leaders in sports, business, politics, and the military, that momentum is a real, non-random occurrence and that a decisive edge can be gained through it, there has been no comprehensive effort to elucidate the shared aspects of momentum, or to bring to light what can be done to manipulate its causes and effects.  

In other while most believe that momentum is real – nobody has articulated how teams can recognize the initial “spark” of momentum, nurture it, and ultimately shape its course. 

Now, in this groundbreaking new book, bestselling author Don Yaeger and leadership expert Bernie Banks reveal the forces behind turning a moment into momentum. After conducting over 100 hours of interview with top leaders it the areas of military, business, and sports, they have developed a novel model for how momentum originates and also how it is sustained. 

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Business

288 pages, Hardcover

Published May 20, 2025

About the author

Don Yaeger is an acclaimed American author, journalist, and keynote speaker based in Tallahassee, Florida. A graduate of Ball State University, he began his journalism career at The San Antonio Light and The Dallas Morning News before joining Sports Illustrated as Associate Editor. He has authored or co-authored 30 books, including 12 New York Times best-sellers. Yaeger collaborated with sports legends such as Walter Payton, John Wooden, Michael Oher, and Bubba Watson, as well as political figures like Brian Kilmeade on historical bestsellers. He hosts the Corporate Competitor Podcast.

Reviews

[Sarah Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: The New Science of Momentum: How the Best Coaches and Leaders Build a Fire from a Single Spark by Don Yaeger, Bernie Banks, and Karen Cyphers
Rating: 4.5/5

Initial Impressions
This collaborative work bridges the gap between abstract leadership theories and actionable strategies, offering a research-driven blueprint for cultivating momentum. Yaeger’s storytelling prowess (honed through decades at Sports Illustrated) and Banks’ military-academic expertise (from West Point to Rice University) create a compelling fusion of narrative and rigor. The book’s premise—that momentum is both measurable and malleable—challenges conventional wisdom with data-backed clarity.

Emotional Resonance & Reactions
As someone skeptical of overnight success myths, I was struck by the authors’ emphasis on deliberate momentum-building. The case studies—ranging from sports dynasties to corporate turnarounds—felt revelatory, especially the analysis of how small wins compound into cultural transformation. The chapter based on recognizing sparks resonated deeply, reframing intuition as a skill honed through observation rather than luck. However, some corporate examples leaned heavily on Fortune 500 contexts, leaving grassroots leaders craving more relatable scenarios.

Strengths
-Research Depth: 250+ interviews and surveys lend credibility to the momentum model, avoiding superficial platitudes.
-Cross-Disciplinary Insights: Draws parallels between sports, military, and business leadership without forced comparisons.
-Practical Framework: The spark-sustain-steer methodology is adaptable for teams of any size or sector.

Constructive Criticism
-Niche Bias: Over-indexes on elite performers (NFL coaches, Fortune 500 CEOs); more SME/nonprofit applications would broaden appeal.
-Repetition: Core concepts recur verbatim across chapters, occasionally diluting impact.
-Visual Aids: Infographics summarizing the momentum cycle would enhance retention for visual learners.

Final Verdict
The New Science of Momentum is a game-changer for leaders tired of relying on chance. While its elite-case focus may alienate some, the book’s empirical approach to an elusive phenomenon makes it indispensable for those ready to engineer lasting impact.

Thank you to the publisher and Edelweiss for the review copy.

Rating: 4.5/5 (A rigorous, if occasionally narrow, masterclass in turning fleeting wins into enduring success.)

[Jais · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading The New Science of Momentum by Don Yaeger. This book opened my eyes to how momentum actually works—not just in sports, but also in business, leadership, and even everyday life.
The book starts with the famous Patriots comeback in the 2017 Super Bowl, which was a great example of how momentum can shift. From there, the author shares a mix of inspiring stories, science, and interviews with leaders, coaches, and military officers to explain what momentum really is and how we can create it.
There’s a practical model with nine parts—like leadership, mindset, preparation, and feedback—that shows how momentum builds over time. I found it simple to follow and easy to apply in real life.
One thing I loved is how readable the book is. Even the scientific parts are explained in a clear, friendly way. It made me reflect on my own work and personal life and think about how I can better prepare for those “spark” moments that lead to progress.
If you're into leadership, growth, or performance, this is a helpful and motivating read. It's packed with real-life wisdom and great energy!

[Mel Kettle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some great info but I found the examples very blokey - football, other sports, military - which detracted a lot from my enjoyment and care factor. I did like the framework - Spark > Sustain > Steer - and can see how this can be used in many personal and professional situations.

If you're wanting to learn more about how to motivate a team, this book is worth a read.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Leadership for sending an advance copy.

3.5 stars

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is at its best when the well structured content is rooted in principles and action. It loses its own momentum with the quantity of anecdotes and constant scientific paper citations. Liked the leadership in action sections to close out each well organized table of contents. When it was good it’s 5 material, when it’s tough to pay attention or I lost interest - it’s a solid 3. I landed in the middle. Good attempt to quantify a mysterious topic and distill leadership principles!

[Sambasivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthy successor of the book Flow that I had thoroughly enjoyed.

Momentum needs a spark or a moment. Great leaders identify this spark and accelerate the team towards the stated purpose.

Fantastic story telling. Lots of real life examples.

Go for it.

[Zoé · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling examples and actionable insights. Loved the breadth of individuals interviewed and the frameworks provided.