Let Them Lead

Unexpected Lessons in Leadership from America's Worst High School Hockey Team

By: John U. Bacon

Narrated by: John U. Bacon

An uplifting leadership book about a coach who helped transform the nation’s worst high school hockey team into one of the best. Bacon’s strategy is straightforward: set high expectations, make them accountable to each other, and inspire them all to lead their team.

When John U. Bacon played for the Ann Arbor Huron High School River Rats, he never scored a goal. Yet somehow, years later he found himself leading his alma mater’s downtrodden program. How bad? The team hadn’t won a game in over a year, making them the nation’s worst squad—a fact they celebrated. With almost everyone expecting more failure, Bacon made it special to play for Huron by making it hard, which inspired the players to excel. Then he defied conventional wisdom again by putting the players in charge of team discipline, goal-setting, and even decision-making – and it worked. In just three seasons the River Rats bypassed 95-percent of the nation’s teams.

A true story filled with unforgettable characters, stories, and lessons that apply to organizations everywhere, Let Them Lead includes the leader’s mistakes and the reactions of the players, who have since achieved great success as leaders themselves. Let Them Lead is a fast-paced, feel-good book that leaders of all kinds can embrace to motivate their teams to work harder, work together, and take responsibility for their own success.

Loved this book!

Even if you're not a fan of hockey (I am and I loved hearing the story of the team) there is such amazing, usable team insight for everyone. I will absolutely be listening again and picking up a hardcopy.

A tale of hockey and leadership

Well done Coach. An enjoyable and educational read for anyone who aspires to coach or lead.

-Trenton player 02-05

Great book with great lessons. It’s a great story!

I really enjoyed this book and the way it was written in the form of stories. Well worth listening to!

inspiring

I've listened to this book twice now. Truly inspiring story with real world lessons in applied leadership.

Very relatable

Such a great story with so many great lessons. John really have great insight to such a huge undertaking.