The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership

The last words from the amazing coach known as “The Genius”

Bill Walsh was perhaps the most influential and successful coach in NFL history, transforming the San Francisco 49ers from the worst franchise in sports to a dynasty that won five Super Bowls. He is acclaimed not only for his strategic brilliance but also for his advanced approach to leadership. His teams sustained a consistency of excellence rarely seen in sports or anywhere else. Drawn from a series of deeply revealing conversations with coauthor Steve Jamison, The Score Takes Care of Itself offers Walsh’s best leadership principles illustrated by anecdotes from his entire career. Additional insights and perspective are provided by his son, Craig Walsh. The book will delight football fans and guide the vast business audience eager to learn how Bill Walsh motivated individuals and crafted winning teams. A sample of his wisdom:

• Believe in people: No one will ever come back later and thank you for expecting too little of them.
• Professionalism matters: There was no showboating allowed after touchdowns, no taunting of opponents, no demonstrations to attract attention to oneself.
• Keep a short enemies list: One enemy can do more damage than the good done by a hundred friends.
• Leaders can’t escape criticism: Ignore the undeserved. Learn from the deserved. Lick your wounds. Move on. It may hurt, but sometimes you can’t have the last word.