The Winning Spirit: 16 Timeless Principles That Drive Performance Excellence

by Joe Montana, Tom Mitchell, Bruce Henderson

Book Overview

Widely considered the best NFL quarterback of all time, Joe Montana personifies performance excellence and personal integrity both on and off the field. Yet the word most closely associated with him is not "winner"it's "leader." Since his retirement a decade ago, he has become a popular motivational speaker sought out by corporations nationwide, speaking to capacity audiences as large as twenty thousand. Now making his message available to a broader...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400064449
• ISBN13: 9781400064441
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: Random House
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 0.9" x 6.5"

Customer Reviews

Very Interesting

Each principles are interesting. Very good book to start again your life but in a better way, a better direction.

Excellent

This book was excellent. Joe Montana will transform his winning spirit to you through these pages. It is a great book which will help you to use the winning strategies of a sports team in your own life. Anyone who desires to succeed will be encouraged by what is written on the pages in this book. I shared this book with a couple friends because I felt that some of the things written in it would bring inspiration into their lives. They both agreed that it was very good. I don't think anyone would be disappointed with one.

Not a Big Sports Fan, but...

I am not a big sports fan so I was skeptical this book would be cliche's like "Throw the ball and make the TD!". Instead I found a practical guide with interesting stories to back up practical ideas. Sure we have heard many of the ideas before, but to hear how they truly applied to someone's real life is very useful. And I much prefer books by people who "made it" over books by persons who became successful telling you how. It is clear that Joe had a lot of initial talent but in his stories he talks about how he went from 3rd string QB at Notre Dame to parlay that talent to become a superstar athlete. But no, the book is not about Joe Montana, he is merely the vehicle to convey the inspirational messages. It is not a vanity piece. An example of how Joe and Tom's book can help you is their advice, "Fail Fast". I had the value "persistence" in many cases where I should have failed fast and moved on to more constructive endeavors. I had to learn the hard way. Had this value been ingrained in me I would have saved years of my life following the wrong paths. Hopefully their readers can learn many lessons from the book rather than the school of hard knocks. He also covers the slogan "There is no 'I' in TEAM" and how you should really approach it. This is definitely a book to help you shape your mindset for success. Not a timeless classic, but a good meat and potatoes guide.

"A simplistic approach to leadership and lifelong success"

I wouldn't call this book revolutionary or awe-inspiring, yet it is full of sage advise from 2 men who definitely walked their talk. Each short chapter contains an intro section, followed by examples; first from Joe Montana, and second from Tom Mitchell. I was drawn to this book because, from the first time I saw Montana play for the 49ers, I knew he was a leader. Though I'm not a 49ers fan (GO COWBOYS), I still watched to witness Montana's prowess on the field. Mitchell is a leader in his own right, leading college teams to championships. As with most books written by former athletic stars, this book focuses mostly on sports, but that's okay. It's an easy and rewarding read.

"Tomorrow's Battle Is Won During Today's Practice"

This book is great and truly inspiring. I read it cover to cover twice in one week and have underlined much of it. Football icon Joe Montana and performance coach Tom Mitchell share with the world the principles of what makes a true winner on and off the field. These universal principles far transcend sports and can easily be applied by anyone in any field (business, arts, etc.). After dissecting this book, I am convinced that one of the most important contributing factors (besides the given) of Joe Montana's greatness was due to his dedication to preparation, hence, the title of this review. This book is a clear, simple, practical, concise, and highly effective guide for making your truest dreams come true while enjoying the ride. I strongly urge anyone who desires to realize their purpose and fulfill it to devour this book.