Gold Medal Strategies

Business lessons from one of the greatest Olympic teams of all time It's been called the greatest upset of all time, the most memorable Olympic moment ever, the "Miracle on Ice." No matter which superlative is used, no one can deny that the U.S. men's hockey team's defeat of the Soviet Union in the medal round of the Lake Placid Olympic Games was a defining moment for Cold War America. The U.S. team's goalie was a Boston University student named Jim Craig, who is now a leadership expert and keynote speaker to business audiences. Gold Medal Strategies gives you Craig's unique lessons from the "Miracle" team on team dynamics, leadership, motivation, and other important management topics. With his unparalleled perspective, Craig dissects and analyzes the elements of a successful team, how to assemble one, and what philosophies will keep the team's shared goal a reality. This book outlines the necessary skills and details the specific techniques you need to maximize your business readiness, hone competitive cooperation, gather your strategies, and attack your challengers.

Foreword Jon “Jack” Luther xiii Acknowledgments xvii Introduction xix Chapter 1 Great Teams Think of Themselves as Winning Underdogs 1 Chapter 2 Great Teams Have a Shared Dream 27 Chapter 3 Great Teams Make Personal Sacrifices 53 Chapter 4 Great Teams Hold Themselves and Others Accountable 75 Chapter 5 Great Teams Are the Product of Picking the Right Players 97 Chapter 6 Great Teams Have a Real or Invented Enemy 123 Chapter 7 Great Teams Stay Young in Spirit and Outlook 145 Chapter 8 Great Teams Manage Through Ego and Conflict 167 Chapter 9 Victory—The One and Only End Game 193 Index 209