Abstract
This book review examines how Tony Dungy deciphers the role of mentoring by leaders, in creating a lasting legacy of significance and integrity in the business or work of others. Written by a man all too familiar with the glories of NFL success, Tony Dungy experienced an early on and steadfast fulfillment of his own dreams and goals, whether as player or coach. In this collection of tightly woven symmetry Dungy voices a call for leaders to embrace a genuine interest in the people they manage, coach, nurture, and shepherd. Published by Tyndale House Publishers, a well-known Christian company, author Tony Dungy never struggles for an explanation to find meaning, or apologizes to share Biblical principles, but rather prevails upon his discourse throughout each chapter. Staying the course in its message, “The Mentor Leader” instructs on character by modeling, maturity by self-reflection, and walking the walk by living out a message of truly caring for persons, while maximizing team performance.
In the beginning readers approach the book to find a succinct list of chapter titles, easily glanced at by thumbing through its pages and perused at will. The title of the book alone, ‘The Mentor Leader’ raises a whiff of curiosity in the minds of those anxious or determined to find better ways of delivering improved management protocols. Straightaway you realize Dungy is absolutely intent upon getting his message out, that people matter and as an imperative they must come first. Chapter 1, entitled ‘The Mandate of a Mentor Leader: Focus on Significance’ distinguishes itself in all kinds of ways. Preceding the body of text at that juncture, is an arresting passage from an old Irish Proverb, quoted by Dungy & Whitaker (2010) which simply states: “You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was” (p. 1). For a sentence with less than twenty words, its profound admonition gives the reader occasion to pause and contemplate the point of the passage. While unity of purpose, and leadership concepts like focusing upon the bottom line are rife in the first chapter, Dungy & Whitaker (2010) offers a direct command to “If you only take one thing from this book, let it be this: Relationships are ultimately what matter---our relationship with God and with other people” (p. 5). Enough said.
The nine chapters simply run in consecutive order with the classic format of ‘Foreword,’ ‘Acknowledgments,’ and ‘Introduction’ at the top heading of the project. A quite neat and memorable formulaic outline ingrained in each chapter title, is the fact that each one is a succession of words and/or sentences which start with the letter ‘M.’ For example Chapter 2 is entitled ‘The Mind-Set of a Mentor Leader,’ and so it goes with each one. You pleasantly get the idea this man really wants leaders to learn some other deep innocuous secret of supporting and coaching individuals, which has unfortunately been lost in this society of seemingly endless, impersonal electronic babble. Dungy & Whitaker (2010) champions compassion in admonishing leaders not to be so dogmatically vying for status, but rather suggests in a real-life example “One of the ways we were able to maintain our success with the Colts was by integrating new players into the system as quickly as possible” (p. 19). In this way Tony Dungy conveys he was able to perform with more ease as a coach by telling players to watch and learn from the veterans.
If you may be tempted to think this book is only useful for those with NFL aspirations, or business corporation management leadership and figures, think again. This book is package of pep talks, and a series of tiny precious, yet workable gems of wisdom that can help anybody grow into a better person. The core message is just that. By becoming a better person from the heart with sincerity you win. When you win, the book informs, your people win. And when they win, your team wins. And when it wins you can be proud. Yet a vital key is that the victory is a short term one. Dungy pens a message of practicality devoid of sappy sentimental hype. You feel the quiet passion and strength in his word. Believe me. Each word counts. The book’s easy, honest candor makes it fun and useful to read.
The root and emphasis of top leadership is explained when Dungy tells listeners that winning is not the most important thing. According to his words, life is. People are. Significance is the thing above all costs, to grasp. Dungy describes that good leadership can become great, when you strive to lift up other people and help to prepare them to succeed, and to help others in future generations to move forward in ways that matter. In maintaining that eternal perspective, Dungy warns by way of a Biblical proverb from Joshua 1:8 “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success” (p. 13). Perhaps this is an apt way to finish this review, and to convey the fine spirit of this wonderful little book. At the end of the day, “The Mentor Leader” inspires.
References
Dungy, T., & Whitaker, N. (2010). The mentor leader. Carol Stream, Ill: Tyndale House
Publishers.
