I just finished reading a new book, published in 2009, titled: “Uncommon : Finding Your Path to Significance”. It is written by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker and it is a New York Times Bestseller.

As you probably know, Mr. Dungy recently stepped down as head coach of the NFL Indianapolis Colts, who won the Super Bowl in 2007. I will set aside, for the moment, the identity of the team which was defeated in that game.

I’ve always admired Coach Dungy and Dungy coached teams. Some of this is because of his personal style: no flashy “Hey Look At Me” histrionics. Coach Dungy exudes a quietly efficient, low-key, strong, positive, competent, lead by example quality.

Some folks have suggested that my admiration of Coach Dungy is based on a pattern of support for the underdog. This is not correct. I do not always support the underdog. I think my respect for Mr. Dungy is more because of my distaste for the “thuggery glorification” so rampant in sports.

I would describe the overall tone of this book as “a religious, Christian, Biblical, faith-based, church oriented, family values flavored work”.

Here are some of my favorite “Pearls” from the book:

- What you do is not as important as how you do it.

- I don’t hang with people I can’t trust.

- Rather than insisting that others respect us, we need to make sure that we are respecting others.

- Getting up in the morning is not for the faint of heart.

- Never make a job decision based on money.

- Make sure you are not so busy making a living that you forget to LIVE.

- Don’t settle for style. Succeed in substance. (Attributed to Wynton Marsalis)

- Your career is not you. It should not, and does not, define who you are as a person.

- Life is like a movie – write your own ending.

I enjoyed reading this book a lot. I don’t agree with everthing Mr. Dungy says, but I recognize the positive effects his philosophy has had on the lives of himself and of those around him.

Although this book is written specifically in the context of football, there is a lot of potential crossover which can be applied to our appreciation of the game of baseball.

I highly recommend “Uncommon – Finding Your Path To Significance” by Tony Dungy with Nathan Whitaker.The Baker movie download