The book emphasizes the importance of teamwork and overcoming the 'Disease of Me,' where individuals prioritize their own success over the team's. It highlights the role of coaches in fostering a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement.
The Winner Within by Pat Riley is a timeless book that underscores the significance of teamwork in achieving success. Riley, a renowned NBA coach, discusses the 'Disease of Me,' a phenomenon where individuals focus on their own glory rather than the team's collective success. This can be detrimental to the team's performance and cohesion. The book provides insights into how coaches can counteract this issue by promoting a culture of shared victories, continuous learning from losses, and holistic development of players. Riley's experiences with star players like Magic Johnson illustrate the importance of star players supporting and encouraging their teammates. The book is highly relevant for coaches and athletes across all sports, offering valuable lessons on leadership, teamwork, and personal growth.
Quick quotes
When the Disease of Me afflicts the strongest members of a team or even its coaches, they develop an overpowering belief in their own importance. Their actions virtually shout the claim, ‘I’m the one.
When the Disease of Me infects the weakest members of a team, the people who create about 20 percent of the team’s effectiveness feel shut out from the spotlight. They come to believe they’re really deserving of 80 percent of the rewards, and develop a tunnel-visioned fixation on upping their share of the material take.
Teamwork doesn’t appear magically just because someone mouths the words. It doesn’t thrive just because of the presence of talent or ambition. It doesn’t flourish simply because a team has tasted success.