The Score Takes Care of Itself captures the essence of leading a team successfully and is a distillation of wisdom from a legendary NFL coach who transformed the San Francisco 49ers from a failing team into Super Bowl champions.

The Score Takes Care of Itself

[The Score Takes Care of Itself](https://amzn.to/3OjXnHz) captures the essence of leading a team successfully and is a distillation of wisdom from a legendary NFL coach who transformed the San Francisco 49ers from a failing team into Super Bowl champions.

Key Principles
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### 1 . Standard of Performance

*   Set high standards of performance for yourself and your team.
*   ‘Standard of performance’ encompasses the **expected behaviors, attitudes, and values** of the team members. Leaders should establish these standards and guide their teams to internalize and uphold them.
*   Create a clear and specific vision of success, and constantly strive for excellence.
*   Hold everyone accountable for meeting these standards.
*   Team members were expected to dress professionally for trips and treat each other respectfully, creating a culture of professionalism and camaraderie.

### 2 . The Importance of Preparation

*   Careful planning is the key to **smooth execution** and eventual success.
*   Anticipate potential challenges and devise strategies to overcome them.
*   Plans must be comprehensive, covering every possible scenario and ensuring the team is prepared to face any situation.
*   Scripting the first 15 plays of every game was standard practice. This preparation gave the team confidence and a clear path at the start of each game.
*   Continuously adapt and improve your approach based on evaluation and feedback.

### 3 . Embrace Teaching

*   Invest time in developing the skills and knowledge of your team members. Good leadership is effective teaching.
*   Create a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
*   Team members should be educated about **what they are doing and why** they are doing it, fostering a deep understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

### 4 . Dealing with Failure

*   Failures are opportunities for learning and improvement.
*   Maintain calm and stick to established standards, even in the face of adversity.
*   Use the ‘standard of performance’ as a **roadmap** when in crisis, ensuring they never lose their way.

### 5 . Handling Success

*   Guard against complacency and **maintain a hunger** for continued success.
*   Celebrate achievements while staying focused on future goals.
*   Avoid shortcuts and maintain a commitment to the standard of performance.
*   Despite winning multiple Super Bowls, Walsh never let his team become complacent. He constantly sought ways to improve and maintain the highest standard of performance.

The Score Takes Care of Itself

My Philosophy of Leadership

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