Raise Your Game

High-Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best

by Alan Stein Jr., Jon Sternfeld

4.8(932 ratings)

13 min read

Brief overview

This book explores the mindset, habits, and strategies that drive high performers to excel in both sports and business. It weaves together stories of athletes, coaches, and leaders, showing how qualities like self-awareness, passion, discipline, coachability, and strong teamwork fuel lasting success. Readers will discover practical advice for applying these lessons in their own lives and careers, regardless of position or goal.

Introduction

We often see performers who make success look easy—championship athletes, visionary entrepreneurs, A-list entertainers. Underneath the spotlight, though, lies an invisible foundation of preparation, discipline, and a resilient mindset. When we pull back the curtain, we see common threads: clear objectives, unshakeable confidence, and a willingness to face adversity head-on.

This summary shares insights from a world where coaches, athletes, and leaders converge. It takes lessons from top teams, star players, and dynamic organizations known for sustained excellence. Along the way, you’ll find a roadmap to apply these ideas to your own life—be it on the field, in the office, or among friends and family.

You’ll see how culture, communication, and character amplify talent, turning individuals into high-performing teams. You’ll learn about the essentials of self-awareness and see why humility and curiosity go hand in hand. Most importantly, you’ll discover it’s never too late to adjust your approach if you’re missing the mark.

Prepare to challenge your assumptions. Success often demands we look inward, refine our habits, and embrace the fundamentals. Whether you’re a new manager, a determined entrepreneur, or simply wanting to level up, these pages illuminate what it takes to ‘Raise Your Game.’

The Power of Self-Awareness

Self-awareness is the cornerstone of high performance. It begins with an honest assessment of your strengths and weaknesses and a willingness to address them. Many of the most successful athletes and leaders credit their achievements to a strong internal compass—knowing their gaps and understanding when to seek help.

In competitive environments, what you don’t know can hold you back. Having clarity on both your skill set and attitude is a game-changer, because self-awareness helps you see where you can add value and where you might be causing unintended issues. It also makes you receptive to outside feedback.

In business, self-awareness forms the basis of effective leadership. If you’re a boss who lacks it, your decisions or tone could sabotage trust. When you accept that there’s always more to learn, it becomes much easier to spot opportunities for growth and improvement.

Ask those you trust how they truly see you—then embrace what they say with humility.

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What is Raise Your Game about?

"Raise Your Game: High-Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best" is a compelling guide for individuals looking to excel in their personal and professional lives. Penned by Alan Stein Jr. and Jon Sternfeld, this book distills the wisdom gleaned from top athletes, coaches, and business leaders into actionable strategies for success. Focusing on the themes of self-awareness, passion, discipline, and teamwork, it walks readers through the mindset and habits that distinguish high performers.

Through compelling storytelling and insightful analysis, the authors highlight the importance of embracing failures as learning opportunities, valuing coachability over sheer talent, and the power of a positive team culture. This book is not just about personal development; it's a roadmap for creating lasting impact in your career and community. "Raise Your Game" matters because it demystifies the processes behind greatness and makes excellence accessible to everyone willing to improve.

Review of Raise Your Game

The book "Raise Your Game" delivers a powerful combination of inspiration and practical advice, encouraging readers to embody the traits of high achievers. It's strength lies in how it seamlessly blends anecdotal evidence from renowned athletes and leaders with actionable steps for anyone motivated to improve. Stein Jr. and Sternfeld provide clear, practical takeaways such as recognizing the significant role of self-awareness in growth and how discipline fuels passion towards sustained achievements.

The writing style is engaging and accessible, making complex insights manageable for readers of all backgrounds. The authors' conversational tone guides you through their well-researched narratives without overwhelming jargon, ensuring that each lesson is both relatable and memorable. Whether you are an aspiring leader or someone looking to improve individual performance, "Raise Your Game" is relevant and timely, offering readers a fresh perspective on moving beyond mediocrity.

This book comes recommended for anyone aiming to deepen their understanding of the principles governing success and who values a nuanced approach to personal development. Its insights hold the potential to transform not just how you think, but how you act in realms as diverse as sports, business, and everyday life.

Who should read Raise Your Game?

Corporates seeking to improve leadership and team dynamics will find immense value in the lessons about creating a strong team culture and effective leadership techniques.
Aspiring athletes and those involved in coaching can leverage the book's insights on discipline, coachability, and overcoming failures to refine their strategies and outlook.
Entrepreneurs looking to foster a vision-driven enterprise will benefit from the actionable advice on self-awareness and discipline, vital components for sustainable business growth.
Self-improvement enthusiasts eager to understand the anatomy of high performance will appreciate the detailed breakdown of what sets successful people apart.
Students and young professionals embarking on their career journeys can use the principles outlined in the book as foundational skills for future personal and career successes.

About the author

Alan Stein Jr. and Jon Sternfeld are the authors of "Raise Your Game: High-Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best". Alan Stein Jr. is a corporate performance coach and world-renowned speaker with over 15 years of experience working with the highest-performing basketball players. He delivers high-energy keynotes, interactive workshops, and impactful full-day trainings to help organizations improve performance, cohesion, and accountability. Jon Sternfeld is a veteran writer and co-author who has collaborated on several notable books, including memoirs and political analyses.