The link between sports and business success is stronger than some people realize. If you consider yourself to be a sports fan, then you can take inspiration from sports when it comes to leading your business. Take a look at the following must-read sports books for business leaders. This will give you a chance to hone your business leadership style in new ways when you approach things with the right mindset.
Playbook for Success: A Hall of Famer’s Business Tactics for Teamwork and Leadership by Nancy Lieberman
Nancy Lieberman’s book is definitely one that any business leader will get a lot out of. She had a great career in the WNBA both as a player and a coach. She made headlines as the first female head coach in the developmental league of the NBA and is now the assistant head coach of the Sacramento Kings. This book contains lots of great advice about business tactics, teamwork, and leadership that you can easily apply in your everyday life.
They Call Me Coach by John Wooden with Jack Tobin
You might know the great John Wooden as the coach from UCLA basketball who won 10 national championships in just 12 years. This is such a great read because it focuses on basic principles that business leaders need to achieve success. You’ll learn how preparation and work ethic play a big role in success at all levels. This book is easy to understand, and it’s definitely a perfect read for anyone in a leadership role.
The Captain Class: The Hidden Force That Creates the World’s Greatest Teams by Sam Walker
This is such a fun book to read for sports fans and people who love the history of great sports teams. Walker takes the time to chronicle some of the greatest and most successful teams while analyzing what made them great. This brings to light several shared traits that truly great teams share. This is the information that can be useful to you as a business leader.
Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis
Lastly, you should think about checking out this gem of a book by Michael Lewis. This is the story of how the Oakland A’s managed to be a competitive team using statistics and good analysis despite being outmatched in terms of payroll. It shows you how you can do well even if it seems like the deck is unfairly stacked against you. This is an inspirational book that also gives you a good bit of practical knowledge.