Leading Winning Teams

Build a team of winners by transforming adversity into achievement

In Leading Winning Teams: How Teamwork, Motivation, and Strategy Achieve Big League Success, the CEO of the famed coaching organization Leadershipity, Trent Clark, translates the lessons he learned on the way to becoming a three-time World Series coach in three Major League Baseball Organizations to life outside of the elite sporting arena. In the book, you’ll find insights and stories from over 20 high-profile athletes and coaches who explain what it takes to succeed both on and off the field. You’ll be inspired as you discover the challenges and setbacks these all-time greats and dynamic leaders had to overcome to realize their dreams and how you can apply the same strategies they used to build the future – and the team – you’ve always wanted.

Explore the common thread that connects seemingly unconnected people from across the athletic world and find out how they consistently performed at the peak of their respective disciplines. Also discover:

• How to build a team of 1%’ers, people who regularly out-perform 99% of their peers
• Actionable strategies to improve your leadership, motivation, and teamwork, as well as those same skills in the people who follow you
• Techniques to create high-quality teams and organizations that achieve things you never thought possible
• The learning and adaptation to apply new information, stay agile in dynamic environments, and navigate changing market conditions
• Face setbacks and tough competition fostering resilience and a competitive mindset making you invaluable in leadership roles within organizations, and pursue goals with unwavering determination, contributing to a culture of achievement and success

Packed with stories, anecdotes, and interviews from world-leading personalities, athletes, and coaches, Leading Winning Teams explains how you can transform setbacks, challenges, and adversity into the building blocks of true greatness.

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Dreamer to Dream Maker 9

Chapter 2 Lessons That Transcend Sports 27

Chapter 3 The Formula for Great Teams Is People (and We All Need Them) 41

Chapter 4 Understanding and Leading Team Members 59

Chapter 5 The Journey to Excellence (with a Few Stops in Mediocrity) 73

Chapter 6 Mindset: Fail Faster and WTF (Willing to Fail) 85

Chapter 7 The Importance of Routine, Focus, and Training for Adaptability 103

Chapter 8 Four Losing Behaviors and the Quadrant of Death 119

Chapter 9 The Big Leap: Setback to Stardom 133

Chapter 10 Coaching, Communication, and Clarity, Oh My! 149

Chapter 11 Perseverance and Positioning 161

Chapter 12 Conflict and the Rules of Engagement 179

Chapter 13 Never Stop Learning—and the Art of Continuous Improvement 193

Chapter 14 24/7 Leadership 207

About the Author 223

Index 227

TRENT M. CLARK is the CEO of Leadershipity, an internationally recognized coaching service for personal leadership and team building. He's a three-time World Series MLB coach, a serial entrepreneur, and speaker. He's dedicated to empowering people to reach their goals and realize their dreams.

What do a Formula One driver, a center for the New England Patriots, and a Major League Baseball agent have in common? All achieved success in their sporting career and in life, translating the lessons they'd learned in elite racing, football, and baseball respectively to the world outside of elite athletics.

In Leading Winning Teams, veteran Major League Baseball coach and internationally recognized speaker Trent Clark delivers an inspirational and exciting new discussion of how to build and lead a winning organization. You'll dive deep into insightful lessons on leadership, teamwork, motivation, strategy, and more as you explore how to overcome the challenges and adversity that lie on the road to ultimate victory and success.

The author offers interviews with and stories from a wide variety of sporting and business legends, including Chad Curtis, Mark Shapiro, Marques Ogden, Ann Gaffigan, and others. Drawing on the real-life experiences of people who faced daunting setbacks before ultimately realizing their dreams, he explains how to navigate the challenges in your own life and use them as fuel for building the future you've always wanted for yourself and your team.

Leading Winning Teams unspools the common thread that connects incredible people with incredible lives, showing you how the folks at the top 1% of their fields consistently achieved at the highest levels.

Filled with content from over 20 high-profile athletes and coaches, this book will earn a place in the libraries of high-performing managers, executives, directors, and other business leaders from all industries. It's also a must-read resource for coaches, trainers, consultants, and other professionals who want to improve their ability to draw out the best in the people around them.

PRAISE FOR LEADING WINNING TEAMS

"Trent Clark has taken three of the most important concepts for success—Leadership, Winning, and Teamwork—and laid out a game plan guaranteed to bring your organization into the big leagues. Leading Winning Teams will have you swinging for the fences!"
—Harvey Mackay, Author of the New York Times #1 bestseller Swim With The Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive

"Leading Winning Teams simply teaches you how to lead like a CHAMPION. It's a guide that becomes a cheat code to success. It has changed the way I run my business and the way I advise my clients. Welcome to the BIG LEAGUES!"
—Brant Pinvidic, TV Executive, CEO and Founder of INvelop Entertainment, bestselling Author of The 3-Minute Rule, CEO of Reject Average

"Leading Winning Teams is a playbook for excellence. Trent Clark's experience in Major League Baseball and business translates seamlessly into invaluable lessons for leaders in any field.";
—Matthew Pollard, The Rapid Growth Guy and bestselling Author of The Introvert's Edge Series

"Leading Winning Teams is the perfect title for this book written by a guy who has done just that. As an MLB player, Trent pushed me to perform at my highest level on the greatest stage. As a small business owner and keynote speaker, Trent has helped me to gain confidence and find new ways to inspire the clients I teach and engage."
—Scott Spiezio, 2x MLB World Series Champion

"Leading Winning Teams by Trent Clark is a powerhouse of insights and strategies, transforming the art of leadership and team dynamics. His expertise is a game-changer for anyone committed to achieving greatness in their field. This book is not just a read, it's an actionable blueprint for success, inspiring leaders and teams to excel at the highest level, like champions!"
—Lauren Sisler, ESPN Sports Reporter, Motivational Speaker, Author of Shatterproof