“When I started out, I never expected to reach one emphatic conclusion. I assumed the fingerprints of these elite units would have many of the same whorls and ridges yet no perfect matches. In the end, I was shocked to discover that the world’s most extraordinary sports teams didn’t have any propulsive traits in common, they had exactly one. And it was something I hadn’t anticipated.
The Captain Class is the culmination of a lifetime of watching sports, two decades of spending time in the orbit of world-class teams, and my own lengthy investigation into what drives the dynamics behind a surpassing collective effort. It’s not the story of one team’s triumphs although there are many triumphs recounted here. It’s not a biography of one transcendent star or coach, although many legendary figures will be discussed. Though it uses sports as its source material, it’s ultimately a book about a single idea—one that is simple, powerful, and can be applied to teams in many other fields, from business and politics to science and the arts.
It’s the notion that the most critical ingredient in a team that achieves and sustains historic greatness is the character of the player who leads it.”
~ Sam Walker from The Captain Class
I got this book on the recommendation of a U.S. Navy Admiral I was blessed to meet while attending the change of command ceremony on the USS George H.W. Bush for my friend Captain Dave Pollard.
I read it as part of my recent binge on all things mental toughness/peak performance as part of our work with more and more elite sports teams and coaches.
It’s FANTASTIC. (Get a copy here.)
Sam Walker works with sports teams, companies, and military units to help them identify and cultivate potential leaders. He’s also the founding editor of the Wall Street Journal’s daily sports coverage and their former leadership columnist.
As I visited his website (check it out at bysamwalker.com), to learn more about him and his background, I learned that he’s worked with a Super Bowl Champion (the LA Rams) and an NCAA Championship football team (the University of Michigan).
I also saw that we both had the opportunity to serve the Sailors on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team. (Awesome.)
As per the sub-title, this book presents a truly fascinating “New Theory of Leadership.”
After studying over 1,000 teams, Sam found SEVENTEEN teams that passed all of the eight tests he designed to determine the greatest sports dynasties of all time.
Here are the tests: “They had at least five members; they competed in sports where the athletes must interact or coordinate their efforts during competition while also engaging directly with their opponents; they competed in a major spectator sport with millions of fans; their dominance lasted for at least four years; they had ample opportunities to prove themselves against the world’s top competition; and, finally, their achievements stood apart in some way from all other teams in the history of their sport.”
The teams that made the cut? The New York Yankees (1949-53), the Hungary national soccer team (1950-55), the Montreal Canadiens (1955-60), the Boston Celtics (1956-69), the Brazil national soccer team (1958-62), the Pittsburgh Steelers (1974-80), the Soviet Union hockey team (1980-84), the New Zealand All Blacks (1986-90), the Cuba women’s volleyball team (1991-2000), the Australia women’s field hockey team (1996-99), the San Antonio Spurs (1997-2016), the New England Patriots (2001-18), Barcelona soccer (2008-13), the France national men’s handball team (2008-15), and the New Zealand All Blacks (2011-2015).
What do ALL of those truly GREAT teams have in common? An uncommon captain.
As Sam puts it: “The most critical ingredient in a team that achieves and sustains historic greatness is the character of the player who leads it.”
The book features inspiring stories and Big Ideas about what made those teams and captains extraordinary. I’m excited to share some of my favorites so let’s jump straight in!
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