Winning the Game of Belief - by Kevin Sheehan (Paperback)

About the Book

Kevin Sheehan shares the research on cultural grit, providing a formula for successful leadership in any field or endeavor. There are lessons in this book that can change your life and cultivate a culture of grit in your organization that will lead to success that you could never have imagined.

Book Synopsis

Charles Sullivan, one of the winningest coaches in the history of the sport of volleyball, is a physical education teacher and sports psychology professor at Springfield College by trade. His story provides the reader with a unique approach to winning in sports and success in life, employing a knowledge of psychology to define his program and craft an unparalleled record of success that reveals the power of culture. Rather than lecture his players about research and theory, Coach Sullivan most often teaches through metaphor and stories. These stories share his experience on the court while providing a unique lens that enables the reader to capture the core values that unite all iconic coaches. Kevin Sheehan shares the research on cultural grit, not only, bringing Sullivan's success to life, but also providing a formula for successful leadership in any field or endeavor. There are lessons in this book that can change your life and cultivate a culture of grit in your organization that will lead to success that you could never have imagined.

Review Quotes

"[This] book argues that winning teams are not always the ones with the best athletes. Rather, they are the teams that are best prepared, not only physically but especially mentally. According to this view, such teams exhibit a strong sense of belief, an unshakable character, and a foundational grit. Through stories and case studies, the authors explore common characteristics of legendary athletes and coaches, showing that the best players do not always make the best coaches. Sullivan himself, for instance, was not a volleyball player in college, and Bill Belichick was regarded as a better lacrosse player than football player at Wesleyan. But as argued here, the lack of an impressive athletic resumé may have driven each of them as a coach, making each aware that failure instructs more than success, supporting the authors' premise that encountering obstacles can lead to creative thinking." --Choice Reviews

"This book is a must read for, not only young coaches, but for veteran coaches as well. Having coached for thirty-seven years, this book is just as valuable for me today as it would have been when I started out. The book will be a tool to reinforce to my current team the extreme importance of the culture of our program. In addressing this area, the book is without parallel. Kevin and Charley have truly shared the secrets to "A Winning Culture"!" --Keith Bugbee, Springfield College Lacrosse Coach, Two Time USILA NCAA Division II Coach of the Year

"I have known Kevin for years as a coaching peer and friend. He has coached at every level from youth to college, and clearly understands that there are consistencies that apply to successful coaching no matter what the sport or the age one is working with. His passion for coaching, his attention to detail, and his in-depth research into the field helps make him a perfect resource for those seeking success in any area of life.

This is a must read for those who want to succeed in this business or in any business for that matter." --Bill Tierney, University of Denver Lacrosse Coach, US Lacrosse National Hall of Fame

"Building belief is what we do as coaches do, and this book clearly articulates a plan for all of us, in any field, on how to create cultural grit in our organization. The lessons that can be drawn from the stories on these pages have impacted my coaching and my team in ways that are truly beyond belief and that I could not hope to share in such a limited space. I am confident that this book will have the same impact on your leadership, and the grit that you cultivate in your organization." --Gordon Purdie, Adelphi University Lacrosse Coach, Two Time Division I All American Lacrosse Player

[This] book argues that winning teams are not always the ones with the best athletes. Rather, they are the teams that are best prepared, not only physically but especially mentally. According to this view, such teams exhibit a strong sense of belief, an unshakable character, and a foundational grit. Through stories and case studies, the authors explore common characteristics of legendary athletes and coaches, showing that the best players do not always make the best coaches. Sullivan himself, for instance, was not a volleyball player in college, and Bill Belichick was regarded as a better lacrosse player than football player at Wesleyan. But as argued here, the lack of an impressive athletic resumé may have driven each of them as a coach, making each aware that failure instructs more than success, supporting the authors' premise that encountering obstacles can lead to creative thinking.

Building belief is what we do as coaches do, and this book clearly articulates a plan for all of us, in any field, on how to create cultural grit in our organization. The lessons that can be drawn from the stories on these pages have impacted my coaching and my team in ways that are truly beyond belief and that I could not hope to share in such a limited space. I am confident that this book will have the same impact on your leadership, and the grit that you cultivate in your organization.

I have known Kevin for years as a coaching peer and friend. He has coached at every level from youth to college, and clearly understands that there are consistencies that apply to successful coaching no matter what the sport or the age one is working with. His passion for coaching, his attention to detail, and his in-depth research into the field helps make him a perfect resource for those seeking success in any area of life.

This is a must read for those who want to succeed in this business or in any business for that matter.

This book is a must read for, not only young coaches, but for veteran coaches as well. Having coached for thirty-seven years, this book is just as valuable for me today as it would have been when I started out. The book will be a tool to reinforce to my current team the extreme importance of the culture of our program. In addressing this area, the book is without parallel. Kevin and Charley have truly shared the secrets to "A Winning Culture"!

About the Author

Dr. Kevin Sheehan is a tenured associate professor at Molloy College where he has served on the faculty for over a decade as well as being an internationally recognized coach in the world of lacrosse. In the lacrosse world, Kevin's accomplishments are numerous including helping to coaching Adelphi University to three Division II National Championships, the Australian National Lacrosse Team to two Bronze Medals, and Massapequa High School to its first New York State Championship on the scholastic level. A member of the Long Island Metropolitan Branch of the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Kevin, believes that all of these coaching efforts have been shaped and influenced by positive psychology research that defines this book.

Charlie Sullivan will enter his 21st season as head coach of the men's volleyball team during the 2018-19 academic year, and will once again be an assistant professor of physical education at his alma mater. In 20 previous years at the helm, Springfield has established a pedigree of championship success and has an overall record of 396-181 for a .686 winning percentage.In addition to his role as the men's volleyball coach at Springfield, Sullivan has also had several stints with the U.S. National Team. Recently, Sullivan was chosen to receive USA Volleyball's All-Time Great Coach award in the Donald S. Shondell Contemporary Division for 2015.