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Rating: 
Summary: A sometimes honest but not effective look at leadership
Review: After reading and enjoying Pitino's "Succeess Is A Choice," I was anxious to read the next installment, "Lead to Succeed." I was surprised at the timing of the publishing of this book considering that it was published shortly after Mr. Pitino's third year of failing to lead the Boston Celtics to the NBA playoffs. As president and coach of the team, Pitino is responsible for choosing and coaching the Celtics players. Therefore, he is to blame for the fact that the team has had a losing season in each of the three seasons that he has been in Boston. It is interesting that Pitino would write a book on successful leadership qualities when he himself has failed in trying to lead the Celtics. This, however, is what makes the book very interesting to read. While Pitino freely admits some, but not all, of the mistakes he has made since joining the Celtics, the solutions he gives to try to amend for his errors do not carry any weight because his solutions have not cured any of the problems he has created. For example, he constantly preaches the power of positive thinking when facing tough times. While it is true that being positive can help a person succeed, no person will succeed if he constantly makes terrible decisions in regards to his/her profession. Making terrible decisions is exactly what Pitino has done with the Celtics and he refuses to admit it. A note to Mr. Pitino: Trying to outwork everybody in sight and keeping a positive attitude will never overcome the negative results form making mistake after mistake in regards to your job.
Rating:
Summary: A sometimes honest but not effective look at leadership
Review: After reading and enjoying Pitino's "Succeess Is A Choice," I was anxious to read the next installment, "Lead to Succeed." I was surprised at the timing of the publishing of this book considering that it was published shortly after Mr. Pitino's third year of failing to lead the Boston Celtics to the NBA playoffs. As president and coach of the team, Pitino is responsible for choosing and coaching the Celtics players. Therefore, he is to blame for the fact that the team has had a losing season in each of the three seasons that he has been in Boston. It is interesting that Pitino would write a book on successful leadership qualities when he himself has failed in trying to lead the Celtics. This, however, is what makes the book very interesting to read. While Pitino freely admits some, but not all, of the mistakes he has made since joining the Celtics, the solutions he gives to try to amend for his errors do not carry any weight because his solutions have not cured any of the problems he has created. For example, he constantly preaches the power of positive thinking when facing tough times. While it is true that being positive can help a person succeed, no person will succeed if he constantly makes terrible decisions in regards to his/her profession. Making terrible decisions is exactly what Pitino has done with the Celtics and he refuses to admit it. A note to Mr. Pitino: Trying to outwork everybody in sight and keeping a positive attitude will never overcome the negative results form making mistake after mistake in regards to your job.
Rating: 
Summary: Leadership, A Talent & Science
Review: As a leadership consultant and coach of 10 years working mostly with the titular heads of authority in high tech organizations, I research constantly for new perspectives and training tools that could be of use to the developing leader. This is an outstanding tool. Those who won't review it well, are probably "anti" fans of Pitino and/or those who are offended by his strong beliefs and values. But if one looks at this work objectively and doesn't prejudge this man as "only a sports coach," then you will find a fountain of pragmatic insight. I challenge anyone to find a more practical treatise on developing leadership. Not Warren Bennis, nor even Peter Drucker write with more direct pragmaticism than this natural born leadership genius. And know that I don't follow basketball close enough to have been prejudiced in favor of Pitino. I began the book with great skeptism and ended in awe of this non credentialed genius' simplicity and applicability to the art and science of leadership.
Rating: 
Summary: Yet another failed "business"/sports book
Review: I am very tired of the attempts of coaches and athletes trying to relate their experiences to the rest of the population dealing with normal business/corporate life. I have yet to find any such book that is worth buying. In his latest, Pitino touched a nerve, in particular, with me because he really has not accomplished anything in Boston. He has had time to build that "house of cards" of a team. He must have finished this book during this past outstanding season. He should have written a book on negotiation/interviewing..."How to make 7 million a year, while making a fool out of Red Auerbach" P.S. --Coaching men is different than bossing kids around at Kentucky.
Rating: 
Summary: Right on Target!
Review: I didn't know much about Rick Pitino until reading his book, now I can see why he's been so successful in his profession. It isn't just accomplishing goals, it's the winning lifestyle that makes results happen that cause this to be a "quality of life" book. Pitino is passionate about what he does and the people with whom he works. He writes of the maturation process he had to endure himself before arriving at a more holistic view of genuine leadership. Such a person views the success of others in their organization as a mark of personal leadership. This book is packed with "behind the scenes" insights on Patino paying his dues. The coach is so right about there being no substitute for experience. Pitino is a highly ethical man also. That theme is consistent throughout the book as well. This one will charge your battery. I give it my "a-ok" endorsement.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Information, Very Motivational
Review: I just finished Lead to Succeed this a.m and I'm back at amazon to order 3 more for my key employees. This book had common sense ideas that can be related to any business in the growth mode. I'm not a big basketball fan, but I certainly am a fan of the wisdom of Mr. Pitino. The book was a wealth of knowledge and information,very entertaining and a book that I could not put down till I finished. Pass it on, it will encourage anyone to strive to become the best.
Rating:
Summary: He's Not A One Hit Wonder
Review: I met Rick Pitino this morning during his appearance at the University of Notre Dame to address the Class of 2000. He highlighted some of the salient points from this book in his address. As with many motivational and leadership speakers, he has his own formula for teamwork and effective leadership. The common thread for these tips is open communication. Having open channels allows you to tap into your team as a leader to get their input for the task at hand, to convey your needs of them as a leader, and to motivate and inspire them to achieve great things- even beyond their perceived potential. All in all, a very good read and great gift for anyone you know who is working in teams or beginning their management career.
Rating:
Summary: Save your money
Review: This book is a waste of money and time.I expected better and more for my money.Everyone should expect more! The ideas and beliefs set forth are basically common sense.This isn't rocket science. Having Rick Pitino write or contribute to a book about leadearship and succeeding is a joke, an offensive one. This man has had only one real success in his life (The Kentucky basketball team) beyond that what has he done? Nothing! He's taken jobs and made money off of some people's belief that because of his one success he could repeat that. He has yet to prove himself. His leadership qualities have not been proven either. He has not been able to lead any of the people charged to him to success, nor has he been able to change their bad attitudes or instill a work ethic in them. He has not been able to pull anything from them to help or cause them to achieve any kind of real or lasting success. He cannot lead or succeed.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Information, Very Motivational
Review: This is an amazing book from cover to cover. I wouldn't know where to start giving compliments on it. I've read several books over the years on business, motivation, and leadership. This book is by far one of the top reads. I strongly recommend it to anyone looking to improve themselves as well as those around them.
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