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July 21
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Ben
gave
 
to:
Faith in the Game: Lessons on Football, Work, and Life (Paperback)
by Tom Osborne
bookshelves:
non-fiction,
self-help,
sports
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my rating:
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read in March, 2005
Ben said:
"Character Themes each week including: honesty, loyalty, courage, unselfishness, work ethic, discipline, confidence, leadership, teamwork, mental toughness, and perseverance.
Annual individual meetings with coaches and players – be as honest and ...more
Character Themes each week including: honesty, loyalty, courage, unselfishness, work ethic, discipline, confidence, leadership, teamwork, mental toughness, and perseverance.
Annual individual meetings with coaches and players – be as honest and open as possible
“Team Talk” should be positive – if you have a problem bring it to the open and to someone who can fix it. Don’t talk behind backs, bicker, or complain to other teammates. Negativity in locker room destructs team chemistry and eventually team play on field
Long term team goals created by players. Detailed short term goals created by coaches.
“Unity Council” of select players determine discipline and rules
Charting off season improvement in speed, weights, etc
Love and serve each player equally regardless of talent or attitude
Glorify God when making tough decisions – don’t do something to please the masses
Never know when someone will come to God or change their ways – even if is after they leave the program. Thus even if kicking off or suspending a player, don’t dismiss chance of change
Testing for steroids, drugs, and alcohol
Optional devotional time for staff each morning. The common perception of football coaches is that of hard driving, profane, callous individual who care little about spiritual matters. Often people engaged in highly competitive enterprises believe that matters of faith hinder effective performance. My experience has led me to believe that spiritual preparation contributes to effective performance no matter what the arena.
United front from coaches, each supporting and caring for each other, removing jealousy and in fighting. Use common vision, mission, and goals to reduce tension or disagreements.
Honest assessment of players talents and future in program
“You must love your boys to get the most out of them and do the most for them. I have worked with boys who I haven’t admired but I have loved them just the same. Love has dominated my coaching career.” –AMOS ALONZO STAGG
Train mind and muscles AND spiritual and emotional aspects
Love among players and coaches, coupled with respect for opponents is much more effective than fear, hatred and intimidation.
Faith in players and coaches to do job. When we know someone has faith in us and trusts us we do not want to disappoint them.
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Ben
gave
to:
Leading with the Heart: Coach K's Successful Strategies for Basketball, Business, and Life (Paperback)
by Mike Krzyzewski, Donald T. Phillips
bookshelves:
non-fiction,
self-help,
sports
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my rating:
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read in October, 2004
Ben said:
"Many people set rules to keep from making decisions. I don’t want to be a manager or dictator. I want to be a leader – and leadership is ongoing, adjustable, flexible, and dynamic. As such, leaders have to have and maintain a certain amount of di...more
Many people set rules to keep from making decisions. I don’t want to be a manager or dictator. I want to be a leader – and leadership is ongoing, adjustable, flexible, and dynamic. As such, leaders have to have and maintain a certain amount of discretion. Too many rules get in the way of leadership.
I really believe that if a leader is a stickler on high performance, on excellence, then winning games will be a natural by-product.
In building any winning team, it’s important to remember that the members of the team don’t have to be perfect, they just have to keep trying to be the best they can be.
We have only one rule here: Don’t do anything that’s detrimental to yourself. Because if it’s detrimental to you, it’ll be detrimental to our program and Duke University.
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Ben
gave
to:
The Carolina Way: Leadership Lessons from a Life in Coaching (Paperback)
by Dean Smith
bookshelves:
non-fiction,
self-help,
sports
|
my rating:
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read in April, 2005
Ben said:
"In teaching our players, I tried to concentrate on the process rather than the result. If think that’s the best way to teach. If a coach starts out on the first day of practice talking about winning, that approach can actually get in the way of win...more
In teaching our players, I tried to concentrate on the process rather than the result. If think that’s the best way to teach. If a coach starts out on the first day of practice talking about winning, that approach can actually get in the way of winning.
Thorough preparation does wonders for one’s confidence. We tried to put our players through every situation in practice that they might encounter in a game.
During the season, everything for the team; out of season, everything for the individual.
We believed in following a process instead of dwelling on winning or worrying about the consequences.
The best leaders in any profession care about the people they lead, and the people they lead know when the caring is genuine, faked, or absent.
Play hard, play smart, play together
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Ben
gave
to:
The Bowden Way: 50 Years of Leadership Wisdom (Paperback)
by Bobby Bowden
bookshelves:
non-fiction,
self-help,
sports
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in April, 2005
Ben said:
"Everything that occurs within an organization reflects back upon its leader.
Nothing looks more ridiculous than a leader who is indecisive, uncertain, or reluctant to make difficult decisions. I’d rather be wrong than indecisive.
Twenty-nine...more
Everything that occurs within an organization reflects back upon its leader.
Nothing looks more ridiculous than a leader who is indecisive, uncertain, or reluctant to make difficult decisions. I’d rather be wrong than indecisive.
Twenty-nine former Bear Bryant assistant went on to become head coaches. Twenty-seven of them got fired. You can learn from a guy like Bryant, but no one can be like him, no matter how hard they try. Each person must be himself. Draw insights and lessons from others, but don’t try to imitate them, because you aren’t them.
Integrity is all about doing the right thing – no matter the consequence.
Religion isn’t magic. Devotionals don’t mean that God favors us more than he favors our opponents. God won’t cause us to win just because we pray. But genuine faith has an enormous impact on the way we work together and the way we work with our players. Faith makes us better coaches because it helps us to keep our jobs in perspective. We learn not to worry about things over which we have no control. And we remain focused on the things that matter most.
No matter how badly I want to win, I realize that an undue emphasis on winning will skew everything. It will skew our moral values, which take priority over winning. It will skew our faith, which recognizes that life is bigger than football. And it will require me to evaluate my staff in ways I’m not willing to do. WINING WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.
If good moral meant contentment, I would’ve failed at my job long ago. You simply cannot make everyone happy or give them what they believe they deserve. Grumbling will happen. Some will walk off and quit the team. I’ve learned to accept a measure of discontent as the cost of doing business. Heck, if a player will quit over a slight discontentment, he probably would’ve quit down in the trenches during a game when things got tough.
I view adversity, n all its forms, as a test of my faith in God. If I develop the habit of trusting God on a regular basis with the myriad little problems that constitute daily life, then I’m prepared when the larger issue of adversity arises.
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Ben
gave
to:
Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time (Hardcover)
by Keith Ferrazzi
bookshelves:
non-fiction,
self-help
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in May, 2005
Ben said:
"Disciplined dreamers all have one thing in common: a mission. The mission is often risky, unconventional, and most likely tough as hell to achieve. But it is possible. The kind of discipline that turns a dream into a mission, and a mission into a rea...more
Disciplined dreamers all have one thing in common: a mission. The mission is often risky, unconventional, and most likely tough as hell to achieve. But it is possible. The kind of discipline that turns a dream into a mission, and a mission into a reality, really just comes down to a process of setting goals.
Throughout his career, Bill Clinton’s political aspirations and his ability to reach out to others have gone hand in hand. He made it a nightly habit to record, on index cards, the names and vital information of every person whom he’d met that day. After writing down the information about someone he just met, Clinton said, “I’m going into politics and plan to run for governor of Arkansas, and I’m keeping track of everyone I meet.
Don’t wait until you’re out of a job, or on your own, to begin reaching out to others. You’ve got to create a community of colleagues and friends before you need it. Others around you are far more likely to help you if they already know and like you.
Every time I make a call or introduce myself to people I don’t know, the fear that they might reject me is there. Then I remember the Big Wheel my father got me, and push ahead anyway.
It’s not necessarily strong contacts, like family and close friends, that prove the most powerful; to the contrary, often the most important people in our network are those who are acquaintances.
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Ben
gave
to:
Winning Every Day: The Game Plan for Success (Paperback)
by Lou Holtz
bookshelves:
non-fiction,
self-help,
sports
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in May, 2005
Ben said:
"Everything that happens to us is the result of the choices we make. You choose to act or procrastinate, believe or doubt, help or hinder, succeed for fail.
Pressure comes when someone calls upon you to do a task for which you are unprepared. Prep...more
Everything that happens to us is the result of the choices we make. You choose to act or procrastinate, believe or doubt, help or hinder, succeed for fail.
Pressure comes when someone calls upon you to do a task for which you are unprepared. Preparation dispels pressure because it builds confidence.
When you are responsible for an organization you don’t make any short term decisions that can jeopardize your long term gains or goals.
WIN formula: What’s Important Now?
Too many people in leadership positions confuse leniency with compassion. They believe it is humane to lower standards and bend rules. It’s like giving a shot o f whiskey to an alcoholic because you feel bad that he has the shakes.
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Ben
gave
to:
How to Win Friends & Influence People (Paperback)
by Dale Carnegie
bookshelves:
non-fiction,
self-help
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my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in June, 2005
Ben said:
"Criticism is futile because it puts a person on the defensive and usually makes him try to justify himself. Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a person’s precious pride, hurts his sense of importance, and arouses resentment. By criticizing w...more
Criticism is futile because it puts a person on the defensive and usually makes him try to justify himself. Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a person’s precious pride, hurts his sense of importance, and arouses resentment. By criticizing we do not make lasting changes.
“I will speak ill of no man and speak all the good I know of everybody.” --BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
“A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats little men.” –CARLYLE
“The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.” –WILLIAM JONES
“I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among my people the greatest asset I possess, and the way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement. There is nothing else that so kills the ambitions of a person as criticism from superiors. I never criticize anyone. I believe in giving a person incentive to work. So I am anxious to praise but loath to find fault. If I like anything, I am hearty in my approbation and lavish in my praise.” –CHARLES SCHWAB
“We are interested in others when they are interested in us.” –PUBLILIUS SYRUS
To be interesting, be interested.
A person’s toothache means more to that person than a famine in China which kills a million people.
A fable about the sun and the wind: The sun and the wind quarreled about which one was stronger, and the wind said, I’ll prove I am. See the old man down there with a coat? I bet I can get his coat off him quicker than you can.” So the sun went behind a cloud, and the wind blew until it was almost a tornado, but the harder it blew, the tighter the old man clutched his coat to him. Finally, the wind calmed down and gave up, and then sun came out from behind the clouds and smiled kindly on the old man. Presently, the man mopped his brow and pulled off his coat. The sun then told the wind that gentleness and friendliness were always stronger than fury and force.
“The reason why rivers and seas receive the homage of a hundred mountain streams is that they keep below them. Thus they are able to reign over all the mountain streams. So the sage, wishing to be above men, putteth himself below them; wishing to be before them, he putteth himself behind them. Thus, though his place be above men, they do not feel his weight; though his place be before them, they do not count it an injury.” –LAO-TSE
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Ben
gave
to:
His Excellency: George Washington (Paperback)
by Joseph J. Ellis
bookshelves:
memoir,
non-fiction,
politics
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in July, 2005
Ben said:
"Believed in the creation of national institutions that would focus the energies of a far-flung population: a capital city, the National Bank, a national university, a conspicuous chief executive, a strong congress, a stronger provisional army, a mili...more
Believed in the creation of national institutions that would focus the energies of a far-flung population: a capital city, the National Bank, a national university, a conspicuous chief executive, a strong congress, a stronger provisional army, a military academy, and united states.
Wanted Indians to have their own territories that would be considered foreign countries - untouchable and protected.
Personally believed slavery should be abolished, but professionally would not free over 300 slaves at Mt. Vernon while he was alive. However, he freed the 150 or so slaves he owned upon his death.
Did not like partisan politics or parties. Preferred united people and one nation.
Careful with his words. Often would not say a word at parties or political meetings.
Suffered several serious defeats as a general in the Revolutionary War before he began to win battles.
Often felt less educated (he was not college educated) and less well read (he hadn’t read the books or authors like others he knew) than his colleagues. Studied hard as President and had many cabinet members teach him what he needed to know to make up for his lack of knowledge.
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Ben
gave
to:
John Adams (Paperback)
by David McCullough
bookshelves:
memoir,
non-fiction,
politics
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in August, 2005
Ben said:
"Voracious reader and lover of books, poetry, novels and history. Amidst a generation of avid readers, he was considered the biggest reader of them all.
Avid writer: in letters, manuscripts, journals, and notes.
Diligently argued for a break wit...more
Voracious reader and lover of books, poetry, novels and history. Amidst a generation of avid readers, he was considered the biggest reader of them all.
Avid writer: in letters, manuscripts, journals, and notes.
Diligently argued for a break with Britain before it was popular.
Considered to be one of our most intelligent presidents. Harvard educated.
Humble and modest lifestyle. No slaves. No debt. Little property. Purchased only what was needed.
One of the best lawyers of his time. Defended British soldiers who were charged with murder in the Boston Massacre. Believed all men deserved the right to a fair and full trial. Late in life, he called it “one of the most gallant, generous, manly and disinterested actions of my whole life, and one of the best pieces of service I ever rendered my country. “
Served as an ambassador to France during the Revolutionary War and negotiated (along with Benjamin Franklin, and Jonathan Jay) the Peace Treaty of Paris, the treaty that ended the war and gave America its independence from Britain. Single handedly secured loans from the Dutch that arguably saved America during the Revolution.
Wrote the Commonwealth of Massachusetts constitution, which is the oldest functioning constitution in the world.
Adams wife, Abigail Adams was opinionated, intelligent, spirited, interested in others, political, hard working, and a devoted wife and moth. She wrote to her son John Quincy as he departed to France for the second time with his Dad, “These are the times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues. When a mind is raised, and animated by scenes that engage the heart, then those qualities which would otherwise lay dormant, wake into life and form the character of the hero and the statesman.”
Supported Cicero’s idea of three branches of government: a strong executive, a bicameral legislature, and an independent judiciary.
Son Charles died at 30.
First President to inhabit the White House in Washington, D.C.
Helped keep America from war with France or Britain during French Rebellion. Rebellion led to the rise and fall of Napoleon.
Under his watch – although he disagreed with them – the Alien and Sedition Acts were instituted to remove or quiet dissenters.
Supported a strong Navy but not a standing Army. Called the “Father of the Navy.”
Hamilton was a “High Federalist” or “Hamiltonian Federalist” who detested Adams and wrote a scathing 54 page report about him immediately before the 1801 election, which Adams lost to Jefferson.
Jefferson and Adams were friends while overseas, however over the years their friendship turned to an acquaintanceship and then rivals. While Jefferson was his VP, they never talked, never discussed policy, and rarely saw each other. It took eleven years after Adams left the political life for them to mend the relationship.
Nominated his good friend and fellow Federalist John Marshall to the Supreme Court, possibly the best Chief Justice in history.
Abhorred slavery, as did Abigail.
As he believed all were equal before God, so he believed that all should be free to worship God as they pleased.
“Absolute power in a majority is as drunk as it is in one.”
“The Voice” of independence. (Chief advocate for the Declaration of Independence.)
Loved to be surrounded by his friends and large family.
Loved to debate and discuss political issues with friends.
Died on July 4, 1826 – the fiftieth birthday of America.
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Ben
gave
to:
American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson (Paperback)
by Joseph J. Ellis
bookshelves:
memoir,
non-fiction,
politics
|
my rating:
Added to my books!
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read in November, 2004
Ben said:
"Very well read. Took extensive notes while reading.
Studious and disciplined.
His wife Martha, died at 33 (he was 39).
Had four children die.
Had many slaves at Monticello, but condemned slavery, and claimed all were equal.
Was suspic...more
Very well read. Took extensive notes while reading.
Studious and disciplined.
His wife Martha, died at 33 (he was 39).
Had four children die.
Had many slaves at Monticello, but condemned slavery, and claimed all were equal.
Was suspicious that blacks were in fact truly inferior to whites.
Served as an ambassador to France with John Adams during and after the Revolutionary war.
Served two terms as the wartime governor (even though he had no background or interest in the military), a job he detested. Was more intrigued by legislation and believed the power was in the Assembly.
Distrusted executive authority.
Fond of music, devoted to chess, friendly with many women.
Lived in constant debt. Bought frivolously anything that fancied his eye.
“The Pen” of independence. (Writer of the Declaration of Independence.)
“May it be to the world, what I believe it will be (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all) the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government…All eyes are opened or opening to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few, booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately by the grace of God. These are the grounds of hope for others; for ourselves, let the annual return to this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them.” – June 24, 1826
Died on July 4, 1826 – the fiftieth birthday of America.
Most comfortable arena was the study and his most natural podium was the writing desk.
Wretched public speaker.
Shy and withdrawn.
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