Author: Don Yaeger

Attention to Greatness

Written on September 2, 2013.

Try to dissect why a great team wins a championship and you’ll quickly see it’s all about the moving parts. Can the offense use speed and timing to score frequently? Can the defense make the necessary adjustments to get the job done? Can every player on the team remember their own responsibilities and execute those tasks when needed? It’s fascinating to see how independent assignments can influence the collective...

Somerset Academy

Written on August 13, 2013.

“Your topics touched their hearts and more importantly brought out some amazing points that I know will assist all of the attendees and their students this coming academic school year.”Dr. Ruth Jacoby | Executive Director of Education

A Great Taste

Written on July 8, 2013.

When it comes to competition—whether sports or business—the tendency is to completely dominate. In the computer industry, Microsoft wants to do more than just take a bite out of Apple. In the basketball world, the San Antonio Spurs want to send the Miami Heat into a deep chill. In the hockey realm, the Boston Bruins want to do more than just win the Stanley Cup—they want to obliterate the Chicago Blackhawks. The mindset...

Greatness Made Special

Written on June 5, 2013.

Many of my best days these days, at least professionally, involve getting the chance to talk about the 16 consistent Characteristics of Greatness I’ve witnessed in great winners. This past month alone, my speaking engagements included travel to Los Angeles, Louisville, Costa Rica, and Puerto Vallarta. However, there’s one date on the calendar that ranked higher than all else. A tiny adjustment to my schedule allowed...

Tony La Russa’s Game Plan

Written on June 1, 2013.

Retired Major League manager Tony La Russa proves that in baseball (as in business), preparation and personal relationships give you a winning edge. Tony La Russa is considered among the best in his business. Yet nearly half the time he led his organizations into competition, they were defeated—2,728 wins, 2,365 losses. That’s one of the great oddities of baseball: Success is relative. A hitter who fails 70 percent...

Great Resilience

Written on June 1, 2013.

Each week, it seems the sports world captures our attention and sends us on an emotional rollercoaster worth the price of admission. But this week’s thrill ride inspired me to focus on perspective. Under what lens would you view emotional moments of failure, tragedy or triumph?

A Greatness lesson live from Duke and Coach K!

Written on May 31, 2013.

Inner Fire They Use Adversity as Fuel I know this newsletter is about developing Greatness in our hearts and minds, but this month it is about the Greatest birthday gift I’ve ever received. As you read this today, I am in Durham, North Carolina on the campus of Duke where Coach Mike Krzyzewski is running me and a group of 79 other business people through drills on the floor at famed Cameron Indoor Stadium....

C&A Industries

Written on May 30, 2013.

“He has an exceptional ability to engage his audience. He is well organized and is very passionate about his message. His presetation is fun, inspirational, and draws from real life experiences.”Liz Hall | Executive Director