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You Win in the Locker Room First: The 7 C's to Build a Winning Team in Business, Sports, and Life
NFL head coach Mike Smith lead one of the most remarkable turnarounds in NFL history. In the season prior to his arrival in 2008, the Atlanta Falcons had a 4–12 record and the franchise had never before achieved back-to-back winning seasons. Under Smith’s leadership, the Falcons earned an 11–5 record in his first season and would go on to become perennial playoff and Super Bowl contenders earning Smith AP Coach of year in 2008 and voted Coach of Year by his peers in 2008, 2010 and 2012.
You Win in the Locker Room First draws on the extraordinary experiences of Coach Mike Smith and Jon Gordon—consultant to numerous college and professional teams—to explore the seven powerful principles that any business, school, organization, or sports team can adopt to revitalize their organization.
Step by step, the authors outline a strategy for building a thriving organization and provide a practical framework that give leaders the tools they need to create a great culture, lead with the right mindset, create strong relationships, improve teamwork, execute at a higher level, and avoid the pitfalls that sabotage far too many leaders and organizations.
In addition to sharing what went right with the Falcons, Smith also transparently shares what went wrong his last two seasons and provides invaluable lessons leaders can take away from his victories, success, failures and mistakes.
Whether it’s an executive leadership team of a Fortune 500 company, a sports team, an emergency room team, military team, or a school team successful leaders coach their team and develop, mentor, encourage, and guide them. This not only improves the team, it improves the leaders and their relationships, connections, and organization.
You Win in the Locker Room First offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most pressure packed leadership jobs on the planet and what leaders can learn from these experiences in order to build their own winning team.
You Win in the Locker Room First draws on the extraordinary experiences of Coach Mike Smith and Jon Gordon—consultant to numerous college and professional teams—to explore the seven powerful principles that any business, school, organization, or sports team can adopt to revitalize their organization.
Step by step, the authors outline a strategy for building a thriving organization and provide a practical framework that give leaders the tools they need to create a great culture, lead with the right mindset, create strong relationships, improve teamwork, execute at a higher level, and avoid the pitfalls that sabotage far too many leaders and organizations.
In addition to sharing what went right with the Falcons, Smith also transparently shares what went wrong his last two seasons and provides invaluable lessons leaders can take away from his victories, success, failures and mistakes.
Whether it’s an executive leadership team of a Fortune 500 company, a sports team, an emergency room team, military team, or a school team successful leaders coach their team and develop, mentor, encourage, and guide them. This not only improves the team, it improves the leaders and their relationships, connections, and organization.
You Win in the Locker Room First offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the most pressure packed leadership jobs on the planet and what leaders can learn from these experiences in order to build their own winning team.
169 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2015
326 people are currently reading
2310 people want to read
About the author
Jon Gordon
155 books687 followersJon Gordon is an American business consultant and author on the topics of leadership, culture, sales, and teamwork.
Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous NFL, NBA, and college coaches and teams, Fortune 500 companies, school districts, hospitals and non-profits. He is the author of The Wall Street Journal bestseller The Energy Bus, The No Complaining Rule, Training Camp, The Shark and The Goldfish, Soup, The Seed and his latest The Positive Dog. Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Atlanta Falcons, Campbell Soup, Wells Fargo, State Farm, Novartis, Bayer and more.
Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams.
When he's not running through airports or speaking, you can find him playing tennis or lacrosse with his wife and two "high energy" children.
You can find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jongordonpage
Jon Gordon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His principles have been put to the test by numerous NFL, NBA, and college coaches and teams, Fortune 500 companies, school districts, hospitals and non-profits. He is the author of The Wall Street Journal bestseller The Energy Bus, The No Complaining Rule, Training Camp, The Shark and The Goldfish, Soup, The Seed and his latest The Positive Dog. Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Atlanta Falcons, Campbell Soup, Wells Fargo, State Farm, Novartis, Bayer and more.
Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams.
When he's not running through airports or speaking, you can find him playing tennis or lacrosse with his wife and two "high energy" children.
You can find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jongordonpage
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
June 1, 2017
Solid read on Leadership
This book follows a similar format to the Hard Hat. It was short and easy to read. My only issue with the book is that it will not wow you in terms of material. With so many sports leadership books out there, this does not stand out.
This book follows a similar format to the Hard Hat. It was short and easy to read. My only issue with the book is that it will not wow you in terms of material. With so many sports leadership books out there, this does not stand out.
November 8, 2018
اگر روزی و زمانی این کتاب با ترجمهی من چاپ بشه، برای من یادگار روزهایی خواهد بود که بخاطر غم نان کتابهایی رو ترجمه کردم که باوری به حرف نویسندگانشون نداشتم. اما با این حال این رو هم باور دارم که شاید این مطالب بتونه به درد عدهای بخوره، چون خیلیها دوست دارن راه مستقیم و آزمایششدهی موفقیت رو نشونشون بدن.
September 5, 2025
I really enjoyed this book since I love sports, team building, and wise coach advice. This book uses wisdom from the old greats like John Wooden and Vince Lombardi, while also using stories from current coaches who have great success and experience. I felt like it helps teach how to be a real winner not only in sports or business, but also in your life with your family and friends.
October 10, 2018
A short, to the point book on leadership written by former NFL Head Coach Mike Smith and Leadership guru Jon Gordon. Smith and Gordon guide the reader through the core areas they focus on as leaders, with various examples from Smith's NFL past and Gordon's business consulting. A lot of the advice is similar to what you'll find in other books, but the passion with which Smith speaks about his players and his goal to shape them as men rather than just on the field players would make anyone ready to suit up.
I listened to the audio, and I think I would have preferred to read a physical version. First, because I would appreciate having the book to refer back to now and then, and second, because at times the performance from the two men was a little flat. Book itself gets 4 stars, performance gets 2.5-3.
Recommended for anyone looking for leadership/management advice or anyone interested in learning how a top-level NFL coach motivates his players. (Also recommended for any PMPs who are football fans and need to gain PDUs to maintain certification...)
I listened to the audio, and I think I would have preferred to read a physical version. First, because I would appreciate having the book to refer back to now and then, and second, because at times the performance from the two men was a little flat. Book itself gets 4 stars, performance gets 2.5-3.
Recommended for anyone looking for leadership/management advice or anyone interested in learning how a top-level NFL coach motivates his players. (Also recommended for any PMPs who are football fans and need to gain PDUs to maintain certification...)
September 3, 2018
The book is set up like a lecture or motivational speech where you get the perspective of Mike Smith (former NFL coach) and Jon Gordon (leadership expert) going back and forth as though they were on stage.
It is an easy read that provides two perspectives as they guide you through the 7 C’s to building a winning team. Of note there is a section regarding Murphy’s law. In the book they reframe the concept of things going wrong and how to prepare emotionally and mentally to handle these undeniable roadblocks.
This was a reading assignment from my boss and I believe it was his way of communicating to us how he operates and how he forms his expectations.
It is an easy read that provides two perspectives as they guide you through the 7 C’s to building a winning team. Of note there is a section regarding Murphy’s law. In the book they reframe the concept of things going wrong and how to prepare emotionally and mentally to handle these undeniable roadblocks.
This was a reading assignment from my boss and I believe it was his way of communicating to us how he operates and how he forms his expectations.
March 13, 2023
Quick and easy. Very eye opening to what it takes to build sustainable culture in sports
June 29, 2025
Book #7 of my #30BookSummer Challenge! You Win in the Locker Room First: The 7 C's to Build a Winning Team in Business, Sports, and Life by Jon Gordon. Still reading to find a good staff PD book. This one is great for leaders and I’m processing some of the great ideas. Too leader focused for a whole staff read, but love how it piggiebacks on the Energy Bus.
August 25, 2020
Not a huge fan of books like this (read it for work), but this one was pretty good—and I’m pretty sure Scott Frost has read this book, so....
November 21, 2016
John has picked this book to do a presentation on leadership. I really liked the book and the information is spot on about leadership.
Great read!!
Great read!!
March 22, 2023
Honest Review Time:
Let me preface this by saying I have VERY strong opinions on a man trying to tell me how to do something. Like. I’m not completely obtuse about it, however I do feel like if a man is guiding men, okay—but don’t tell a woman how to be. That being said—I do not feel like that was the intent of either author of this book. I do, however, feel like this book is full of redundant platitudes that I find extremely toxic and irritating.
I had to read this for work over a period of time. I did not enjoy this book. I like educational books. Not this one. I do not connect with sports in any shape, form, or fashion. I did like the business world references, but with 90% dealing with real world sport examples, it did not reach me as an audience.
I also found it disheartening that despite all the positive interactions with teams, one of the only mentions of a female team sport was in a negative light describing a woman sent home with a bad attitude. As the author of that section is a middle-to-upper aged man, I do not see the value in his criticizing the “attitude” of a female player and led sport. The coach dealt with the “issue” and he did not need to comment.
I also did not appreciate how it felt like the mentality one should walk away with is “toxic positivity or you’re fired”—-“believe what we say or you’re fired”—-“follow it 100% or else you’re fired”. Most of the key points they shared are common knowledge of many, not just leadership roles. All of the sentences pulled for my work class were things I feel like I could’ve pulled from a Pinterest board.
Also—I think everyone should read the 1 star review on Amazon because it is very eye opening as to where the author came up with his charts, methods, and theories.
Review on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/1...
Let me preface this by saying I have VERY strong opinions on a man trying to tell me how to do something. Like. I’m not completely obtuse about it, however I do feel like if a man is guiding men, okay—but don’t tell a woman how to be. That being said—I do not feel like that was the intent of either author of this book. I do, however, feel like this book is full of redundant platitudes that I find extremely toxic and irritating.
I had to read this for work over a period of time. I did not enjoy this book. I like educational books. Not this one. I do not connect with sports in any shape, form, or fashion. I did like the business world references, but with 90% dealing with real world sport examples, it did not reach me as an audience.
I also found it disheartening that despite all the positive interactions with teams, one of the only mentions of a female team sport was in a negative light describing a woman sent home with a bad attitude. As the author of that section is a middle-to-upper aged man, I do not see the value in his criticizing the “attitude” of a female player and led sport. The coach dealt with the “issue” and he did not need to comment.
I also did not appreciate how it felt like the mentality one should walk away with is “toxic positivity or you’re fired”—-“believe what we say or you’re fired”—-“follow it 100% or else you’re fired”. Most of the key points they shared are common knowledge of many, not just leadership roles. All of the sentences pulled for my work class were things I feel like I could’ve pulled from a Pinterest board.
Also—I think everyone should read the 1 star review on Amazon because it is very eye opening as to where the author came up with his charts, methods, and theories.
Review on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/1...
November 26, 2016
The world needs better coaches, and I'm not talking just for sports. The coaching mindset of helping others, of believing in others, and even dedicating their lives helping others pursue their goals, is lacking in our current society. This book highlights the need for winning the locker room as a coach in sports, business, and other organizational settings.
If you read leadership books, aspire to be a better leader, are a coach, or find yourself wanted to get more of the people with which you interact, then this would be a good book to read.
The book is certainly not perfect. The sports analogies brought the lessons into the real works, to lessons I could directly understand and even visualize. However, some readers don't have the sports background to appreciate this book. If so, read another book. My main gripe with this book is that the authors often drawing large conclusions from seemingly isolated events (both good and bad outcomes). Yet, overall it was a quick read with some valuable insight.
The book will go in my shelf of books to give to other leaders that are looking for a book to inspire themselves.
If you read leadership books, aspire to be a better leader, are a coach, or find yourself wanted to get more of the people with which you interact, then this would be a good book to read.
The book is certainly not perfect. The sports analogies brought the lessons into the real works, to lessons I could directly understand and even visualize. However, some readers don't have the sports background to appreciate this book. If so, read another book. My main gripe with this book is that the authors often drawing large conclusions from seemingly isolated events (both good and bad outcomes). Yet, overall it was a quick read with some valuable insight.
The book will go in my shelf of books to give to other leaders that are looking for a book to inspire themselves.
September 17, 2021
This book was a great reminder of the importance of the team and leadership. Even as I listened to it, I felt myself challenged in my leadership and the planning that needed to go into effect for a team, and the ownership I had to have.
It was a timely book to think about the 7 C's - Culture, Contagious, Consistency, Communicate, Connect, Commitment, and Care.
Each C made me think about where I stood with it, and how much effort I have invested (or how much more I could pour in), and I definitely can see moments where I've fallen short because I wasn't able to uphold one or more of the C's.
2020 felt like a theme of Consistency/Commitment, but this 2021 feels a lot like Communicate, Connect, and Care to work on.
I'm excited to take these values and embed it more into how I lead teams whatever context I find myself in!
It was a timely book to think about the 7 C's - Culture, Contagious, Consistency, Communicate, Connect, Commitment, and Care.
Each C made me think about where I stood with it, and how much effort I have invested (or how much more I could pour in), and I definitely can see moments where I've fallen short because I wasn't able to uphold one or more of the C's.
2020 felt like a theme of Consistency/Commitment, but this 2021 feels a lot like Communicate, Connect, and Care to work on.
I'm excited to take these values and embed it more into how I lead teams whatever context I find myself in!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2024
Mike Smith and Jon Gordon 7 Cs
1. Culture- culture drives expectations and beliefs.
2. Contagious- people up to 10 feet away can sense your heart and feelings. Broadcast positive energy.
3. Consistent- be consistent in your leadership style! Be your authentic self.
4. Communicate - the best communicators are good listeners
5. Connect- a connected team becomes a committed team. Connect in the weight room, training room and cafeteria not just on the field. Good questions to ask at meetings… your defining moment… your hero
6. Commitment- spend more time showing than talking about it. Be a servant leader.
7. Care- steve jobs build a fence… only see one side what does it matter what the other side looks like… “you Will know “. Care more! When you care more, you give a little more time, attention, effort and energy. Care about the people you play with.
1. Culture- culture drives expectations and beliefs.
2. Contagious- people up to 10 feet away can sense your heart and feelings. Broadcast positive energy.
3. Consistent- be consistent in your leadership style! Be your authentic self.
4. Communicate - the best communicators are good listeners
5. Connect- a connected team becomes a committed team. Connect in the weight room, training room and cafeteria not just on the field. Good questions to ask at meetings… your defining moment… your hero
6. Commitment- spend more time showing than talking about it. Be a servant leader.
7. Care- steve jobs build a fence… only see one side what does it matter what the other side looks like… “you Will know “. Care more! When you care more, you give a little more time, attention, effort and energy. Care about the people you play with.
September 1, 2023
Written by Mike Smith a former NFL coach and Jon Gordon the author of another motivational book The Energy Bus. Although Mike and Jon could fight all day about which of the 7 C's is their favorite, they both agree that winning starts in the locker room. The 7 Cs are culture, contagiousness, consistency, communication, connection, commitment, and care these 7 things are needed in a successful locker room. I obviously have a favorite one and that's culture because without a good culture, a team can't connect well and won't commit to the team. I give this a 4-star review because it has very useful ideas that I myself have implemented into my team. I would suggest this to anyone who likes motivational books or needs new ideas to help their team whether it's sports or work.
September 21, 2017
A book for everyone who wants to lead a team and develop people. Succinct, with multiple examples and stories. A quick read that is easy to digest and will give you the essentials needed to develop a team that delivers results. Note implementing the suggestions is always harder than just reading about it. People are complex and have different situations. The information in the book is a solid foundations to align your behaviours around. If you truly care and are committed to developing the best team possible, and if you embrace and live these principles with your team then your team will succeed.
November 6, 2017
I feel as though this is a must read for anyone who is a leader or coach of a team. The book reinforces several leadership concepts and also discusses some that are new to me.
I enjoyed the dual perspectives of both Jon Gordon and Mike Smith. The discussion of each topic was very easy to understand and while I read I found myself thinking about how I would incorporate this into my work place.
One of the most valuable pieces of this book for me is the last few pages: the action plan of the 7 c’s. This book is going to be a great resource for me while building my business team as well as the team I work with in the office.
I enjoyed the dual perspectives of both Jon Gordon and Mike Smith. The discussion of each topic was very easy to understand and while I read I found myself thinking about how I would incorporate this into my work place.
One of the most valuable pieces of this book for me is the last few pages: the action plan of the 7 c’s. This book is going to be a great resource for me while building my business team as well as the team I work with in the office.
January 12, 2018
I think that this book has really shown me what a true leader is. Throughout this book, Gordon Smith talks about what a leader really does instead of just a follower. What surprised me about this book is that he talks about his life and his job in the NFL and he told us exactly what he did in real life as he did in the book. Gordon Smith really goes into depth about the 7 C's to build a winning team in Business, Sports, and Life. My take away from this book would be to think about how I can incorporate this into my life. What can I do to show how I can become a better leader for my team to really step up for others who cant.
February 15, 2021
Cliche leadership principles
The book isn’t bad but it’s pretty generalized. It feels like a quick surface level summary of every other leadership book you’ve ever read. However, I like the author’s positive style of leadership and there are still some good nuggets to take from it. The best “C’s” to me were about communication and connecting with your teams. One of my takeaways is the difference between pressure and stress. Put pressure to perform in the areas you can control (lead measures like work ethic, effort, disciplines, etc). Stress comes from putting pressure on the things you can’t control (lag measures like winning, numbers).
The book isn’t bad but it’s pretty generalized. It feels like a quick surface level summary of every other leadership book you’ve ever read. However, I like the author’s positive style of leadership and there are still some good nuggets to take from it. The best “C’s” to me were about communication and connecting with your teams. One of my takeaways is the difference between pressure and stress. Put pressure to perform in the areas you can control (lead measures like work ethic, effort, disciplines, etc). Stress comes from putting pressure on the things you can’t control (lag measures like winning, numbers).
July 9, 2018
This book is a concise summary of sportsmanship and leadership principles from a renown NFL coach Mike Smith. 7 "C" principles guiding the off-court activities, starting from Locker Room, are critical to the success of sport teams, as well as business and life. The core ideas are well supported by example; however, the book might not wow you as many reads on the topic are out there.
Overall, the book serves as a review of familiar principles of building lasting successful teams; yet, it fails to break the perception that successes are pretty much alike.
Overall, the book serves as a review of familiar principles of building lasting successful teams; yet, it fails to break the perception that successes are pretty much alike.
August 21, 2018
I happened to listen to two of Jon Gordon's audiobooks (The Energy Bus and The Training Room) on a long road trip followed by reading this book. It was a lot of Gordon in a few days! He writes in fables, and I often rolled my eyes at times with the childish metaphors. You Win in the Locker Room First veered away from the fables and metaphors and used examples -- mostly from the NFL, which makes sense. I earmarked a few pages throughout of stuff to remember and bring to my own team. While I do not coach athletes, I do coach speech students and many of the ideas throughout are useful.
December 1, 2019
Coach Mike Smith teams up with Jon Gordon to share what it takes to build a winning team. With 7 years experience as a head coach in the NFL Coach Smith has learned through both triumph and failures. Looking over his tenure with the Falcons, Smith teaches the importance of building a strong culture, how to maintain it and the pitfalls of neglecting it. Jon Gordon joins in the discussion by sharing conversations he had with other successful coaches. All of this information comes together for a book that is helpful to both coaches/leaders and those who are part of any type of team.
July 14, 2024
A very good book on the importance of building culture within schools, businesses, and teams. The focus on supporting the workers is so vital in a successful business culture. It points out that helping people find success and supporting them builds winning teams that gets superior results. Both authors do a great job of pulling in other successful business strategies such as John Wooden. Definitely a worthwhile read for any leaders that want to build a transformative workplace and create a successful people driven culture.
September 29, 2025
This kind of book is one of my least favorite. It is full of trite platitudes, where the premise is assumed, and then paired with an entertaining story. But the premise and the story might by fully disconnected.
For instance; premise: shoes are important. I really spent a lot of time choosing shoes. Michael Jordan won championships. MJ wore shoes. Therefore, shoes are important.
The vignette fails to mention that the kids who never made the NBA also wore shoes, and might, actually, be a superior chooser of shoes.
For instance; premise: shoes are important. I really spent a lot of time choosing shoes. Michael Jordan won championships. MJ wore shoes. Therefore, shoes are important.
The vignette fails to mention that the kids who never made the NBA also wore shoes, and might, actually, be a superior chooser of shoes.
December 24, 2018
I'm re-reading this and taking notes because it was so inspiring to me. This book is both instructional and motivational and deals mainly with leadership of yourself and others. I appreciate Jon and Mike collaborating on this project. Sharing their wisdom on winning in life is something many of us need because what limits us - the pressure from outside or inside forces - can be controlled or even eliminated.
October 31, 2017
I found this book helpful. I like the coaching/leadership philosophies of the authors with include always putting the team before yourself as an individual player, staying positive, and trusting the process. It's a good refresher on how to be a good leader to any team and helps you stay aware of these principles at all times.
May 5, 2019
Excellent read!
Great insight on leadership, building a winning team, and establishing a winning culture. Each C provides excellent examples and highlights how to apply it to your own team and/or organization. Highly recommend this for any coach, manager or anyone looking to improve.
Great insight on leadership, building a winning team, and establishing a winning culture. Each C provides excellent examples and highlights how to apply it to your own team and/or organization. Highly recommend this for any coach, manager or anyone looking to improve.
August 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! Lots of perspective and points of view about coaching and leadership. I love that the book breaks things down and gives you things to focus on and why. It’s not too heavy on the “coaching” part of it and makes it a point to encourage everyone to be a leader. I will be taking this one to work to pull things out of it to implement!
September 22, 2023
Extremely applicable to working in sports but even more if you’re able to lead and develop a team of any kind. Really appreciated Coach Smith’s humility and grace as he provides easy things to work towards in your communication with others and examples from his career. Very easy audiobook to listen to!
July 14, 2024
This book was a required Professional Development read for one of my classes with the county. Gordon and Smith discuss the 7 C’s (culture, contagious, consistent, communicate, connect, commitment, and care) along with the 2 Big C’s (coaching and character) in building a lasting team. I felt this book could relate not only to coaches but to teachers or anyone that wants to be a great leader!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews