Winning Well

About the Authors

Karin Hurt is a top leadership consultant and CEO of Let's Grow Leaders. A former Verizon Wireless executive, she was named to Inc. magazine's list of great leadership speakers. Hurt is renowned for her practical advice on leadership and her commitment to helping leaders achieve their best.

David Dye is a former nonprofit executive, elected official, and President of Trailblaze, Inc., a leadership training and consulting firm. Dye is dedicated to helping leaders and teams get more done with less stress and to achieve breakthrough results.

Main Idea

In their book "Winning Well: A Manager's Guide to Getting Results—Without Losing Your Soul," Karin Hurt and David Dye provide a comprehensive guide for managers to achieve sustained results without succumbing to the toxic pressures of a hypercompetitive workplace. The central theme of the book is the balanced approach to leadership that prioritizes both results and relationships, ensuring that managers can lead effectively without compromising their values or burning out.

Table of Contents

1. The Summary in Brief
2. The World of Winning Well
3. How to Win Well in Every Situation
4. Master the Metrics Maze
5. Winning—Achieve Results, Get Things Done, and Move to the Top
6. Lead Meetings That Get Results and That People Want to Attend
7. How to Make Business Decisions Your People Get Behind
8. How to Hold Your People Accountable Without Losing Your Soul
9. Get More Done in Less Time
10. Winning Well—Motivate, Inspire, and Energize Your Team
11. Build a Loyal Team of Problem Solvers
12. Inspire Your Team to Double Productivity
13. Energize Your Team and Ensure That They Own the Results
14. Sustain Your Team's Energy and Momentum
15. It's Time to Win Well
16. How to Inspire and Motivate Yourself
17. Your Winning Well Legacy

The World of Winning Well

The hypercompetitive post-recession global economy places frontline and middle-level managers in a difficult position. Managers are expected to win, "move the needle," and achieve the highest ratings, rankings, and results. This relentless focus on performance can drive managers to adopt a win-at-all-costs mentality, treating people like objects and losing their soul in the process.

However, Winning Well challenges this approach by advocating for a balanced strategy that combines achieving results with building strong relationships. The book emphasizes that winning doesn't mean reaching perfection but succeeding at fulfilling the team's mission. The real competition is not against others but against mediocrity. Sustaining excellent performance over time requires energized, motivated people working together.

"Winning Well means that you sustain excellent performance over time, because you refuse to succumb to harsh, stress-inducing shortcuts that temporarily scare people into 'performing.'" – Karin Hurt and David Dye

How to Win Well in Every Situation

Managers who sustain results over time operate from four principles: confidence, humility, relationships, and results. Confidence inspires others and makes the other three principles easier to enact. Knowing your strengths and using them confidently is crucial. Humility involves having an accurate self-image, recognizing your strengths and challenges, and respecting the worth of every individual.

Focus on results by clarifying, planning, and doing. It's important for everyone to understand why the group exists, what results are expected, and what success looks like. Equally important are relationships, which involve connecting with, investing in, and collaborating with your team members. Treating people with respect and dignity, and building trust, are key activities for maintaining healthy relationships.