Book Club

Book Club Term

January – March 2021

Welcome to the WeCOACH Book Club. As a coach, you are constantly looking to find ways to impact your teams and make discoveries from within, we understand that you may not be reading the same books as your friends outside of the world of athletics.

  • Are you a passionate reader looking to connect with like-minded coaches and initiate interactive book discussions in a virtual setting?
  • Are you seeking more accountability to actually read an entire book and stay focused on the content that can help you make improvements?
  • Are you a casual reader, with great ideas, looking to make connections with other coaches?

If you answered “YES” to any of the questions and you are seeking a community to network and meet new coaches, then this Book Club is specifically for you!

Research states that those who participate in book clubs:

  • Are more likely to commit to reading the entire book and sharing thoughts about what they have read and learned with new peers
  • Stay more informed of relevant topics within their network
  • Meet new people
  • Have a platform to share ideas and voice opinions of the book with an invested audience

Program Description

Participants commit to reading the selected book and engaging in discussions during scheduled Video Meet-Ups during the designated term. Participants will receive questions and discussion topics to explore and reflect prior to each video meet-up, which will help guide discussions.

 

Book Club Eligibility and Requirements

  • Only current WeCOACH members may register and participate.  A current membership must be maintained throughout the Book Club term.
  • Book Clubs will be limited in size.  Registrants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.  Those registering after size limits are reached will be placed on a waiting list.
  • Participants must attend all scheduled Video Meet-Ups. Please have respect for your fellow book club members and those who were not accepted into the Book Club that would like to have the opportunity to participate.
  • Participants are willing to interact and engage in Book Club discussion at mandatory Video Meet-Ups.
  • Participants must complete a satisfaction survey at the completion of the program.

Video Meet-Up Schedule

Attendance is mandatory

Date Time Topic
Tue, Jan 19 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET Introductions
Tue, Jan 26 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET Section 1
Tue, Feb 2 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET Sections 2 & 3
Tue, Feb 9 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET Section 4
Wed, Feb 10 6:00 – 7:00 PM ET Bonus: Review Sections 1-4
Tue, Feb 16 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET Section 5
Tue, Mar 9 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET Sections 6 & 7
Tue, Mar 16 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET Section 8
Wed, Mar 24 6:00 – 7:00 PM ET Bonus: Review Sections 5-8, Happy Hour

 

** Registration Closed **

“Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t” by Simon Sinek

 

Determining your program’s WHY is crucial, but only the beginning. The next step is how do you get people on board with your WHY? How do you inspire deep trust and commitment to the program and one another?

 
 
 
 
Book Review
Imagine a world where almost everyone wakes up inspired to go to work, feels trusted and valued during the day, then returns home feeling fulfilled. This is not a crazy, idealized notion. Today, in many successful organizations, great leaders create environments in which people naturally work together to do remarkable things.
 
In his work with organizations around the world, Simon Sinek noticed that some teams trust each other so deeply that they would literally put their lives on the line for each other. Other teams, no matter what incentives are offered, are doomed to infighting, fragmentation, and failure. Why?.
 
The answer became clear during a conversation with a Marine Corps general. “Officers eat last,” he said. Sinek watched as the most junior Marines ate first while the most senior Marines took their place at the back of the line. What’s symbolic in the chow hall is deadly serious on the battlefield: Great leaders sacrifice their own comfort – even their own survival – for the good of those in their care.
 
Too many workplaces are driven by cynicism, paranoia, and self-interest. But the best ones foster trust and cooperation because their leaders build what Sinek calls a “Circle of Safety” that separates the security inside the team from the challenges outside.
 
 
Moderator: Milana Socha, Assistant Coach, Swimming at Northwestern University

Milana is an NCAA Women Coaches Academy – Class 49 graduate. Milana is in her first season with the Northwestern Wildcats Swimming and Diving program after spending the previous 3 seasons at Dartmouth.