In a previous post I referred to Mark Miller’s (2011) The Secret of Teams: What Great Teams Know and Do. Though it is not a sports book it has 
some wonderful insight into team building that is very relevant.
“Pursuing high-performance teams as a strategy for improved performance is messy and extremely challenging” (p. 1)
This is a good warning for those that think there is an easy solution. Some think if you can just be Coach K, or Nick Saban, or some other successful coach then you will get their results, but their reality is not your reality and everyone’s reality is “messy and extremely challenging.”
“Study the best” (p. 4)
This is the premise of the entire book- study the best, and just in your field. In the book, set in a business, the characters look to Special Forces, NASCAR, and a restaurant to try and learn how to improve their business. It is great to study successful coaches in your sport, but have you studied successful people and companies in different fields? The overlap is amazing, but looking to other successful people outside of your area of expertise can expose you to new thinking. I heard VCU director of athletics Ed McLaughlin speak at the 2013 Men’s Basketball Final Four and he said that in every interview he asks coaches what they are reading outside of their sport.
Key Ingredients for a High-Performance Team
Talent
Skills
Community (p. 55)
Miller does a great job explaining each of these in detail, and he does so in a very easy to read and understand manner. I especially like his explanation of some ideas of how to establish community- “family” is the word we often use in sports. I highly recommend you add this book to your library.
Until next time, coach ‘em up!
Hal Wilson
About the Author: After coaching and working with various teams at the college, high school, and youth level in a variety of roles for 18 years, I have returned to finish my Ph.D. in Kinesiology & Sport Studies. I have also been involved in athletics as a player, coach, administrator, official, and parent.
PS- If you are interested in the book, here is the full references and a link:
Miller, M. (2011). The secret of teams: What great teams know and do. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler.
Please click this link, Inspirational Quotes for Sports Coaches, for info on my 60-page ebook.