Sports and leadership: 4 books to elevate your success
Are you ready to play the path to the top?
It’s a well-known fact that doing sports keeps you fit and healthy. We hear that all the time since we are kids. For some, it really turns into a hobby or even a career. Alas, for others, it’s the most unpleasant thing to do.
But what if we tell you that sport also affects your success and leadership skills? Turns out that even if you do any activity in an amateur way, it also has an enormous influence on your career. You can learn how to compete against both other teams and companies, how to win, lose, and never give up.
This book list will reveal how sports and game approach can affect your achievements in business.
The Mamba Mentality: How I Play by Kobe Bryant
The true legend. Most people will most likely agree with this description of the Lakers player Kobe Bryant. Despite his tragic and unexpected death at the beginning of 2020, his legacy will live forever. In his book The Mamba Mentality, the athlete shares his unique mindset and attitude that helped him succeed in basketball career and life. You will find out how Bryant played through blood and sweat with injuries, how he was analyzing and studying rivals, and much more. Inspirational, honest, groundbreaking, this title is a true mind-blower.
String Theory: David Foster Wallace on Tennis by David Foster Wallace
Tennis is probably one of the most popular sports. While some people might think of it as some kind of a posh activity that doesn’t require that many skills, the truth is quite the opposite. Many things are going on behind the scenes in professional tennis circuits, making the sport gruelling and unforgiving. Tennis is truly the sport where the winner “takes it all.”
David Foster Wallace, the famous American author, shares a collection of witty and knowledgeable essays about tennis. They will reveal exciting facts, deep insights, and tips to apply on your way to success. Even Bill Gates in his book blog wrote the review of String Theory and called David Foster Wallace a genius.
Moneyball — The Art Of Winning An Unfair Game by Michael Lewis
Underdogs and outcasts. It is the story of one of the poorest teams in baseball, the Oakland Athletics, and how it reached the top. Billy Beane, the general manager, came up with an original and working approach that helped the team succeed. What helped him? First of all, attentiveness to details, combined with wit and experience.
This attitude is truly something everyone can learn from and apply in everyday life and business. Generally speaking, Billy Beane basically re-invented baseball. Find out how he managed to do that and dive into the fantastic story of the Oakland A with Moneyball — The Art Of Winning An Unfair Game by Michael Lewis.
The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance by W. Timothy Gallwey
One more book about tennis, but this time, it shares the secrets of what is going on in your brain when you play this sport. Mental games are as important as the actual ones. Understanding that tennis isn’t just about hitting a ball and holding a racket will help you through your life in any area. After reading this book, you’ll be able to clear your mind and concentrate much more effectively on what matters the most to you. How? By learning self-trust, focus, and avoiding too many self-deprecating thoughts.
Strategies, techniques, tips on self-confidence — all this and more you will find in The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey.
The world of sports is intriguing and capable of teaching every one of us something more than merely how to throw or hit a ball. It takes courage, physical and mental strength, and, more importantly, intelligence to succeed in both games and careers.
Check out these and other summaries on the Headway app to achieve everything you’ve ever wished for.
