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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
The Program summary
Eric Kapitulik
Jake MacDonald
Lessons From Elite Military Units for Creating and Sustaining High Performance Leaders and Teams
16 mins
Brief summary
The Program by Suzanne Young delves into a chilling dystopian world where teenagers deemed depressed are forced into a program that erases their memories. With romance and rebellion, it explores the danger of sacrificing emotions for the sake of control.
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The Program
Summary of 5 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 5
Creating a championship culture
Have you ever wondered what makes a team truly exceptional? Well, it starts with building a championship culture that’s deeply rooted in core values.
This is exemplified by the story of Captain Cory Ross and his team of Green Berets in Afghanistan. While embedded with local Afghan police in the Tora Bora Mountains, their commitment to respect and teamwork was put to the test. During a cultural meal, despite receiving reports of potential threats, they chose to finish their lunch, honoring the local tradition without alarming their hosts. This decision highlighted their disciplined approach to building trust and respect in a high-stakes environment.
Creating a championship culture involves understanding and implementing core values, selecting the best people to embody these values, and setting clear, actionable standards that reinforce these values every day. The foundation of a championship culture is its people. And so the “best” individuals are those who not only bring exceptional talent that helps achieve short-term missions, but who also carry out the team’s core values to ensure long-term success.
As a leader, it’s essential that you set an example by living out these core values yourself. You should never demand behaviors or qualities from your team that you aren’t personally willing to demonstrate. This includes being disciplined about maintaining the values you set, whether it’s in a corporate office, on the athletic field, or any other situation.
The standards you set provide a level of expected behavior that supports the culture you’re aiming to build. For instance, if punctuality is important, enforce a standard where meetings always start on time. This promotes a culture of respect and efficiency, and shows that you value everyone’s time. If discipline is a core value, then a practical standard might be responding to all communications within a specific timeframe, reinforcing this value daily. These standards should be crystal clear, ensuring everyone knows what’s expected of them without any room for interpretation. If standards are continually missed, adjust team roles or change team composition to keep the culture strong and focused.
To sum up, building and sustaining a championship culture involves carefully defining what qualities represent “the best” for your team, setting standards that reinforce these qualities, and making sure these standards are met consistently. By personally embodying the values and standards you’ve set every day, you’ll model the behavior you wish to see and set your team up for success.
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What is The Program about?
The Program (2019) is a hands-on guide to the winning techniques and tactics of The Program, a renowned team-building and leadership development company. Drawing from the real-life experiences of its instructors, it illustrates how military leadership and team-building concepts can elevate organizational performance and foster accountability and effective communication.
The Program Review
The Program (2013) by Suzanne Young is a thought-provoking novel that explores the dark side of a society where teen suicide is rampant and its only solution is a government-controlled program. Here's why this book is worth a read:
- With its stark portrayal of a dystopian future, it raises important questions about mental health, government control, and the value of individuality.
- Young's compelling characters and gripping plot keep readers engaged, constantly questioning the boundaries between morality and authority.
- Through its raw emotion and introspective exploration, the story proves that even in the face of adversity, hope and resilience can prevail.
Who should read The Program?
- Team leaders aiming for excellence and success
- Coaches aiming to inspire athletes
- Entrepreneurs seeking to develop a strong culture
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The Program FAQs
What is the main message of The Program?
The main message of The Program is the importance of love and resilience in the face of a dystopian society.
How long does it take to read The Program?
The reading time for The Program varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Program a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Program is a captivating read that explores themes of mental health and love. It's definitely worth the read!
Who is the author of The Program?
The author of The Program is Suzanne Young.
What to read after The Program?
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