Bo Schembechler is one of if not the most successful and revered head coach of the storied Michigan Wolverines. He was in that position for 21 years between 1969 to 1989, compiling a 234–65–8 record. That level of success is quite unprecedented and in this book, Bo shared his leadership fundamentals that had worked so well in his coaching career.
This book focuses more on his specific leadership lessons rather than any autobiographical stories of his life.
What are some of the the lessons from Bo?
- Have high standard. You explain everything, you monitor everything, you never lower the bar, but you do everything you can to help them get over it. Then, it’s up to them.
- Prepare well. Preparation gives confidence and foundation to succeed
- Have clear values and true north. You get what you prioritize.
- Appreciate the history and legacy of the place you take over. This gives a foundation and tradition that you can build on
- Spend time with people. Leadership is about dealing with people so you better like people! If you do not like people, you will not take the time to get to know them, and if you don’t get to know them, you will have no idea what scares them, what inspires them, what motivates them. If you don’t listen to what your people have to say, you will not know when they have a problem with you—and you will not know when you have a problem with them, either.
- Be upfront and honest with your team. They need to know they can trust you, your words and your action.
- Prioritize fairness and equality. Coach them all and let the cream rises to the top and everyone is motivated to do their best. To do this, you need a strict meritocracy system that is transparent to everyone.
If you’re vested in American football, specifically old-school College Football, this will have be of more interest to you and a fun read as Bo liberally shared a lot of his tidbits and stories about his coaching and rivalries with various College Football schools. Even if you’re not a football fan, the principles discussed are still applicable. Afterall, who wouldn’t want to implement a system that produces great success but also loved by those who have been part of that system?
What’s your most memorable lesson you got from sports?