Book Review: Running Into the Wind by Paul Gustavson

Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Within the first few pages of Running Into the Wind, I found something to apply to my life and my family. We’re talking life-changing, people!

Paul Gustavson created a system called the 5 Smooth Stones and in the book, co-author Alyson Von Feldt talks about her own family. She referenced Smooth Stone #2 and said, “I knew that organizations–including families–are perfectly designed to get the results that they get.”

I read that, grabbed my highlighter and read it again. It resonated with me because I realized that everything we get from our children, spouse, friends, is pretty much because of what we gave first. My children know what I expect and act accordingly–which can be good and bad. They know where the lines get a bit wiggly and try to push those boundaries, so it’s important for me to remember that as a parent, I’m perfectly designed to get the results that I am getting.

These principles work on and off the field, in families, in relationships, in business settings.

If you’d like to learn more about these principles and the incredible work that Bronco Mendenhall did with the BYU Football team, then check out this book.

Here’s more about the book:

There is no other collegiate football program in the world like the one found at Brigham Young University. None. Certainly that has much to do with the fact that the school is the largest religious university in the United States, owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But perhaps there is an even more unique differentiator—a head football coach who is unwavering in his unorthodox style of mentoring, strengthening, teaching, and even recruiting his players. Bronco Mendenhall’s coaching style is considered jaw-dropping by many and ludicrous to some. However, no one can overlook the success the Cougars have had. How does his team consistently win ten or more games year after year? What philosophy and practices did Bronco implement to create this sustained success?

One thing we know is that Bronco’s system goes against the grain. He believes that “running into the wind” is an opportunity and is key to ultimately creating a sustained competitive advantage.

The first section, “On the Field,” discusses the challenges Bronco has faced as the head coach, the principles and practices he learned to face those challenges, and the on-field applications and results. The second section, “In the Football Offices,” looks deeper into Bronco’s “system” and the business principles and tools of the “five smooth stones” that Bronco was taught by Paul Gustavson. Whether you’re a coach or a leader, the organization strategies and models that Paul taught Bronco can be applied to any business or team. Simply, this section is where the coach of the coach will coach you, too.

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