Coaching Your Kids to Be Leaders : The Keys to Unlocking Their Potential
- Book Review,
by Pat Williams, John Wooden
From Publishers Weekly
Williams—senior v-p of the NBA's Orlando Magic, former general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, author (How to Be Like Mike) and a motivational speaker—draws on the lessons he's learned as a Christian, a father (of 19 biological and adopted children) and a sports executive in this book on training and inspiring children to become future leaders. After interviewing more than 500 well-known leaders, including Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, leadership guru John Maxwell and Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig, Williams concludes that effective leaders aren't born but made. He outlines seven steps to becoming an effective leader: "see a vision," "be a communicator," "build good people skills," "build good character," "build competence," "be bold" and "be a servant." Using Jesus as his model, Williams points out that the best leaders pursue their roles not for power but to serve. Not surprisingly, Williams claims that getting children involved in sports is the best way to begin teaching them leadership skills, but he also allows for other avenues, such as scouting and the arts. While Williams's core premise—that developing young leaders is a "top goal" for parents—is certainly arguable, readers who do place leadership high on their list of hopes for their children won't be disappointed by this amiable and instructive text. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Williams, a veteran NBA executive, draws on his own experience with and observations of motivational and sports figures such as Jerry West, Red Auerbach, and George McGovern to examine the nature of leadership and how parents can encourage leadership abilities in their children. Part 1 defines leadership, formal and informal, and encourages parents to see themselves as their children's first teachers and coaches. The second part outlines the seven qualities of effective leaders and devotes a separate chapter to each: vision, communication, people skills, character, competence, boldness, and servanthood. Part 3 details how parents can mentor their children in developing leadership abilities. Williams notes that there are different ways to be leaders; that leadership is not always directing but can also entail persuading, unifying, and perfecting. Williams' perspective is faith based and relies heavily on sports images, but parents can gain valuable insights on unlocking their children's potential. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Book Description
DESCRIPTION: Veteran NBA senior executive and father to 19 children, Pat Williams reveals what parents need to know to help their kids become tomorrow's top leaders. As senior vice president of the Orlando Magic and former general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, Pat Williams knows how to nurture young talent and instill the passion, commitment, and determination necessary to become a champion. In this essential guide for parents, coaches, teachers, and all adults who work with and care about young people, Williams distills his wisdom into seven essential principles of leadership--Vision, Communi-cation, People Skills, Character, Competence, Boldness, and Servanthood--and shows how adults can motivate and inspire children to avoid common pitfalls and negative peer pressure to become leaders in every area of their lives and succeed in all their future endeavors.
About the Author
AUTHORBIO: Pat Williams lives in Orlando, Florida
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