Vision, Values, and Victories: Notre Dame-Style Leadership - by Len Clark Ph D & Melvin Dowdy & Tom Mendoza & Kevin White (Paperback)

About the Book

Vision, Values, and Victories: Notre Dame-Style Leadership
By Len Clark, Ph.D.
What does it mean to lead the Notre Dame way?

In an era hungry for authentic, values-based leadership, Vision, Values, and Victories reveals a blueprint that has guided one of the world's most respected universities for generations. Drawing from the rich history, faith traditions, and real-life stories from the University of Notre Dame, this book offers a practical, inspiring, and deeply human approach to leadership.

Len Clark, Ph.D., blends historical narrative with modern insight to show how leadership grounded in vision, values, and meaningful victories can transform individuals, teams, and institutions. Through stories of legendary figures like Father Sorin, Father Hesburgh, and Coach Ara Parseghian--and through reflections from everyday leaders and alumni--Clark captures the heart of what it means to lead with purpose.

Inside, you'll find over 50 chapters filled with actionable insights, reflection prompts, and personal stories. You'll explore how to navigate challenges with integrity, build inclusive communities, and develop emotional intelligence using tools like the DISC behavioral model.

Whether you're a student leader, seasoned executive, coach, educator, or anyone seeking to lead with both conviction and compassion--this book is for you.

Notre Dame-Style Leadership is more than a concept. It's a call to lead with faith, character, and a commitment to serving others.

Book Synopsis

Vision, Values, and Victories: Notre Dame-Style Leadership
By Len Clark, Ph.D.
At a time when trust in leadership is faltering and institutions are being reexamined through a moral lens, Vision, Values, and Victories: Notre Dame-Style Leadership offers something powerful and much needed: a model of leadership forged in faith, rooted in service, and refined through experience.

This is more than a book about leadership. It's a guide to becoming the kind of leader the world needs right now--leaders who choose purpose over popularity, ethics over expedience, and legacy over likes.

Drawing from the rich traditions of the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Len Clark, a journalist, educator, and leadership expert, blends historical insight with practical guidance. Through compelling stories, timeless principles, and modern applications, he introduces the Notre Dame leadership playbook--a model built on vision, values, and victories that matter beyond the scoreboard.

You'll meet extraordinary figures who shaped this legacy:

Father Edward Sorin, C.S.C., whose vision turned wilderness into a university.
Father Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C., a moral compass for the nation who blended intellect with integrity.
Coach Ara Parseghian, who led with heart, transforming teams and lives.
Yet, this book isn't just about the icons. It's about the everyday leaders--mentors, coaches, alumni, and students--who lead in classrooms, boardrooms, parishes, and communities, carrying the Notre Dame ethos with them.
With over 50 chapters and contributions from prominent voices like Dr. Tony Alessandra, Tom Mendoza, and Kevin White, this book delivers more than inspiration. It equips readers with reflection exercises, leadership tools, and personal development strategies grounded in real-world application--including the DISC behavioral model and ethical decision-making frameworks.

Each section closes with a "Clark's Compass" moment--guiding reflections drawn from the author's own Notre Dame journey, designed to center leaders on what matters most.

Whether you're a student discovering your voice, a professional seeking deeper impact, or a leader navigating uncertainty, this book will challenge and inspire you to lead not just with skill, but with soul.

Notre Dame-Style Leadership is not about chasing titles. It's about creating trust.
It's not about charisma. It's about character.
It's not about momentary applause. It's about enduring purpose.

The world doesn't just need more leaders--it needs better ones. This book shows us how Notre Dame has been forming them since 1842.

About the Author

Dr. Len Clark is a multimedia sports journalist, leadership and broadcast journalism educator, and a lifelong ambassador of the Notre Dame spirit. A native of Portage, Indiana, he brings an academic rigor to every conversation, blending research with real-world insight to guide today's leaders.
With a Ph.D. in Global Leadership from the Indiana Institute of Technology and a master's degree in communication arts from the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Clark's work delves into the evolving role of leadership in the 21st century. He explores how emerging technologies, media innovation, and cultural shifts intersect to shape ethical and effective communication. His research is not confined to the ivory tower; it informs how leaders can use new tools, like AI and data storytelling, to better serve their communities and drive meaningful change.
Dr. Clark has taught in the Gallivan Journalism Program at Notre Dame and completed both the Executive Integral Leadership and Vital Leadership programs through the university's Executive Education offerings. In these roles, he's become known for connecting theory to practice and helping students and professionals alike see leadership as a dynamic, values-driven process.
His academic leadership work has also taken him overseas, particularly to Ireland, where he has engaged with educators, journalists, and community leaders to explore how transatlantic ideas about leadership, service, and faith continue to evolve. This work reflects his passion for forging global connections that honor both tradition and innovation.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Clark covers Notre Dame athletics, offering a unique voice at the intersection of tradition and transformation. Through his consultancy, du Lac Leadership, he brings the DISC assessment and experiential learning to life, empowering others to lead not just with strategy, but with authenticity and purpose. He is also the author of Teddy and The Gipper: A Notre Dame Friendship - www.teddyandthegipper.com
In every facet of his work, Dr. Clark remains committed to this core belief: that leadership is a journey, not a destination, and that the best leaders never stop learning.

Dr. Tony Alessandra, ND '69, graduated with a BBA in Marketing and has built a distinguished career as a thought leader in communication, sales, and leadership. Raised in the Brooklyn housing projects, Dr. Alessandra's journey blends street-smart insight with academic achievement--a unique perspective that has shaped his dynamic approach to leadership. He later earned an MBA from the University of Connecticut and a PhD in Marketing from Georgia State University, grounding his real-world experiences in deep academic rigor.
Dr. Alessandra is the founder and CEO of Assessments 24x7, a global leader in behavioral assessment technology that helps individuals and organizations better understand themselves and others. His pioneering concept, "The Platinum Rule" (R), treats others the way they want to be treated, has revolutionized how leaders communicate, collaborate, and build relationships that matter.
A prolific author and speaker, Dr. Alessandra has written over 30 books and produced more than 100 audio and video programs on communication and leadership, establishing himself as a trusted guide for professionals seeking to lead with both clarity and compassion. In 1985, he was inducted into the National Speakers Association's Hall of Fame as a "Legend of the Speaking Profession," and in 2012, he was voted the "#1 World's Top Communication Guru," honors that reflect the global impact of his work.
From the classrooms of Notre Dame to stages around the world, Dr. Alessandra's journey exemplifies the University's mission to form leaders who influence the world not just with intelligence, but with insight, empathy, and a commitment to service. His story is a powerful reminder that true leadership isn't about titles or credentials, it's about how we connect with others and help them become their best selves.
Dr. Melvin Dowdy is a clinical psychologist, leadership educator, and executive coach with more than four decades of experience in guiding leaders toward ethical, values-driven practices. As the faculty lead for the University of Notre Dame's Inspirational Leadership at Kylemore program, he facilitates immersive retreats at the historic Kylemore Abbey Global Centre in Connemara, Ireland, a place where tradition and transformation come together in a breathtaking landscape.
At Kylemore, Dr. Dowdy doesn't just teach leadership, he cultivates it from the inside out. His approach blends deep psychological insight with reflective practices, helping participants reconnect with their core values and uncover their authentic leadership potential. Through guided discussions, contemplative exercises, and the quiet wisdom of Kylemore's setting, he leads leaders to see that effectiveness begins with integrity, and that the most powerful leaders are those who know themselves first.
Beyond his work at Kylemore, Dr. Dowdy has contributed to numerous leadership development initiatives, including executive coaching, team building, and organizational ethics consultations. His holistic perspective grounded in both psychology and practical experience, enables him to guide others through the complexities of leadership with empathy, clarity, and moral conviction.
Dr. Dowdy is also an accomplished poet. His collection, Night Weavers, explores themes of introspection, resilience, and the human spirit, reflecting the same depth and nuance that he brings to his leadership work.
His role at Kylemore exemplifies Notre Dame's commitment to cultivating leaders who are not only effective in their roles but also guided by ethical principles and a deep commitment to the greater good. Through his mentorship and wisdom, Dr. Dowdy helps shape a new generation of leaders, those who understand that leadership isn't just about doing more but about becoming more.
Tom Mendoza's name has become synonymous with values-driven leadership, a style rooted not just in business acumen, but in a deep sense of purpose and personal responsibility. As Vice Chairman of NetApp, Mendoza helped steer the company from a fledgling startup to a global powerhouse in data management and cloud computing, playing a pivotal role in transforming it into one of the most admired and innovative technology companies of its era.
But Mendoza's true legacy lies not only in bottom-line success, it's in the culture he helped create. A culture of trust, gratitude, and respect that earned NetApp repeated recognition on Fortune magazine's list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For." His approach wasn't about top-down mandates or corporate jargon; it was about connection. About seeing the person behind every job title.
At the core of Mendoza's leadership is a deceptively simple yet profoundly powerful idea: gratitude. Each day, he made it a point to recognize the contributions of his team, not with grand gestures, but with genuine, heartfelt appreciation. This daily act of gratitude became a catalyst for trust and engagement, fueling a workplace where people felt seen, valued, and inspired to do their best work.
His belief in servant leadership extends far beyond the boardroom. In 2000, Tom and his family made a transformational gift to the University of Notre Dame, leading to the naming of the Mendoza College of Business. Their generosity wasn't just about giving back; it was about investing forward. It was about shaping future leaders who don't just succeed, but who understand that true success comes from character, courage, and compassion.
Mendoza's story is a testament to the power of small, consistent actions, like saying "thank you", and the profound impact they can have on building communities, organizations, and lives. His legacy is proof that leadership isn't about titles or positions. It's about lifting others up and creating cultures that bring out the best in everyone.
For more than three decades, Matt Cashore has done more than take photographs, he's told the story of Notre Dame through a lens of faith, tradition, and truth. As the University's senior photographer, Matt doesn't just frame moments, he captures meaning. From quiet candlelit vigils at the Grotto to the deafening roar of a Saturday victory in Notre Dame Stadium, his images have become part of the very memory of this place we hold so dear.
If Notre Dame has a visual voice, it's Matt's. He's photographed seven football head coaches and five men's basketball coaches, threading together eras with an artistry that feels both timeless and immediate. His lens has followed students across the quads, faculty across generations, and moments of joy, grief, and grace that define life under the Dome.
You can find his work in Sports Illustrated, The New York Times, and ESPN: The Magazine, but his greatest gallery is the heart of this university. At mattcashore.photoshelter.com, you'll see sweeping views of campus, documentary-style storytelling, and portraits that feel like conversations. Every image reflects a deep understanding, not just of lighting and focus, but of what Notre Dame is.
Matt's photographs go beyond the surface. They capture the soul of this place. From the soaring ceilings of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart to the energy of student activism on the South Quad, his work reminds us that beauty lives in both tradition and transformation.
In this book, Matt's contributions do more than enhance the pages, they anchor them. His photos are rooted in respect, guided by curiosity, and inspired by a mission greater than himself. Because for Matt Cashore, photography has never been just about capturing a moment. It's about honoring a story. His leadership style can be defined as "One frame at a time."
Kevin White served as Notre Dame's Director of Athletics from 2000 to 2008, leaving a lasting impact through a powerful combination of competitive excellence, academic integrity, and mission-driven leadership. During his tenure, Notre Dame celebrated major athletic milestones, including the 2001 NCAA Women's Basketball National Championship, and revitalized key programs. Among his most influential decisions was the hiring of Coach Mike Brey, who ushered in a new era of success and stability for the men's basketball team.
But White's influence went far deeper than the scoreboard. Drawing on his background as a former coach and educator with a Ph.D. in higher education administration, he emphasized student-athlete formation, not just performance. He championed academic support programs, leadership development, and life-skills initiatives that prepared Notre Dame athletes to lead lives of impact beyond their playing days. His philosophy aligned perfectly with the University's vision: to educate the whole person--mind, body, and spirit.
Nationally regarded as one of the most respected leaders in collegiate athletics, White brought a strategic, values-based approach to the role. His time at Notre Dame helped mentor and inspire a new generation of athletic directors who carry his influence into programs across the country. After leaving South Bend, he led Duke University's athletic department to national prominence, continuing his legacy of values-first leadership until his retirement in 2021.
White's Notre Dame legacy is one of balance between performance and purpose, tradition and innovation, competition and character. He exemplifies the Notre Dame style of leadership: mission-centered, student-focused, and grounded in unwavering integrity.
His book, The Good Sport, offers a candid look at the seismic shifts in college athletics, especially the impact of NIL and the Supreme Court's landmark decision. Drawing on decades of leadership, he explores the uncertainty and opportunity of this new era--and why the future of intercollegiate sports hangs in the balance. Learn more at meetkevinwhite.com.