The 12 Leadership Principles of Dean Smith

Dean Smith was the coach of the University of North Carolina/ Chapel Hill Basketball team for 36 years. This book was written by David Chadwick, one of his former players who is currently the Pastor of a large Church. He reflects upon his university experience with Coach Smith as well as the lifelong impact that experience has brought him. He adds the reflections and residual affection of many other UNC basketball alumni, some now quite famous like Michael Jordan, to emphasis how these particular 12 principles were operationalized though this man and this sport. The 12 principles are truly worth examining and applying in a universal way. I think it is clear that Dean Smith paid great tribute with the expression of his talents and skills, which contributed beyond an athletic program. The opportunity is presented to expand these into a formulation of leadership objectives that blend healthy values, long term vision and deep personal meaning. If you are not a basketball fan then the text could be somewhat tedious when wading through the illustrations. That notwithstanding, it is still relatively easy to enjoy the value of these principles and compare them with how you may be thinking, feeling or envisioning yourself and your management approach. This book can be made a study or a quick read, either way it is worth the time.

This book is for anyone who is looking to be more successful in life

In just over 200 pages,David Chadwick has presented a useful and interesting "road map" useful to leaders and to followers alike.A few of the keywords Chadwick expounded on with logical meanings are, loyalty, honesty, family, team, vision, humility ,change,practice and mentoring.David Chadwick has skillfully woven many of Dean Smith's unique leadership practices and philosophies along with Chadwick's personal experiences in a manner that can help a leader lead with confidence and a follower follow with effectiveness. He also presented it in a manner that the reader could read with enjoyment.

Chadwick brings home the simple truth of building outstanding organizations through an interesting and inspiring first hand account of leadership in action. The twelve principles sited seem to me to be timeless in their nature and relevant to many facits of life. Business leaders who dare to submit their egos and short term thinking to the greater good of building and developing other leaders would benefit greatly by applying just one of these principles a day. I highly recommend this book as an effective tool to share and debate across all levels of management.