Elevate and Dominate - critical summary review

Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders' memoir goes profoundly into his personal life, from his childhood in Fort Myers, Florida, to his great accomplishments as a professional athlete in football and baseball. Sanders discusses his transition from athlete to coach, describing significant incidents in his life that lead him to recognize coaching as his calling.

Throughout the book, Sanders explains the importance of leadership, dedication, and perseverance. He discusses personal anecdotes and experiences that influenced his coaching style, emphasizing hard effort, dedication, and the value of mentorship. Sanders also talks about his coaching experiences, particularly his time at Trinity Christian High School and Jackson State University, where he had a huge impact on his players' lives both on and off the field.

The book promises to motivate readers to "elevate and dominate" in all parts of their lives by implementing Sanders' twenty-one success tactics. These ideas address a variety of topics, including personal development, career fulfillment, and overcoming hardship. Sanders' teaching style has been described as open-minded, motivating, and rooted in a deep desire to help people reach their full potential.

Finding strength in struggle and embracing resilience

Sanders shares his personal experiences of going through physical and emotional challenges, particularly related to his health struggles, surgeries, and recovery process. Despite facing significant setbacks, including multiple surgeries, blood clots, and the possibility of losing a limb, Sanders maintains a resilient mindset and emphasizes the importance of perseverance, faith, and self-care. Sanders describes his ordeal of spending twenty-three days in the hospital, undergoing nine surgeries, and losing nearly forty pounds. 

Despite the physical and emotional toll, he adopts a mindset of resilience, acknowledging that while his situation is difficult, he refuses to give up or play the victim.

Throughout his challenges, Sanders maintains his faith and belief that God has a purpose for him. He reflects on the importance of not succumbing to despair but instead embracing the struggles as opportunities for growth and strengthening. Sanders goes through a process of accepting his physical limitations, including the loss of toes and the impact on his mobility. He acknowledges the difficulty of facing the end of certain abilities, such as running, but emphasizes the importance of adapting to new circumstances and finding ways to continue moving forward.

He places great significance in seeking help and support during tough times, both from medical professionals and from loved ones. He highlights the importance of being open about one's struggles and not feeling ashamed to ask for assistance or share vulnerabilities. Sanders encourages for dedicating valuable time into self-care and mental health awareness, urging readers to take care of themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. He advocates for practices such as spending time outdoors, reflecting, staying positive, seeking guidance from mentors, and allowing oneself to grieve and process emotions.

He uses the metaphor of setting a thermostat to illustrate the idea of setting yourself up for success each morning. Just as he adjusts the temperature to create a comfortable environment, he suggests adjusting your mindset to create a conducive atmosphere for productivity and positivity.

Prioritizing well-being and success

Sanders encourages readers to prioritize their mental and physical well-being by starting the day with purposeful activities such as exercise and nourishing the body with healthy food and hydration. He highly recommends creating a consistent routine and focusing on the present moment. He contends that success is more about discipline and commitment than inherent skill and that keeping a positive attitude and persistent work are crucial for attaining goals.

The author is convinced of the power of faith to shape one's destiny. He distinguishes between a "believer" who constructs their own reality through conviction and dedication and a "belief" that is influenced by external influences and cultural expectations. He encourages readers to reject limiting beliefs and take charge of their own narrative. Sanders promotes the need to provide beneficial impacts to the mind through activities such as reading, listening to music, journaling, and meditation. He claims that having a positive mental attitude and surrounding oneself with uplifting content can boost productivity and well-being.

Being present and focused in both personal and professional aspects of life is critical. He proceeds by addressing the need of slowing down, taking a deep breath, and focusing on being physically present. Sanders uses personal experience, referencing his dual career in professional football and major league baseball, to demonstrate the significance of prioritizing and being fully engaged in the work at hand. Sanders advocates for a balanced approach to life, where work and family are given their due importance but are kept separate to avoid distractions. He mentions successful figures like Bruce Arians and Michelle Obama, who prioritize family time alongside their professional responsibilities.

In "Plan Your Time, Time Your Plan," Sanders talks about the significance of planning and visualization in achieving goals. Drawing parallels to his career in sports and citing examples such as Jim Carrey and Jennifer Lopez, he explains how vision and belief can be paramount in achieving one's goals. Sanders also mentions the importance of rigorous planning, breaking down goals into achievable tasks, and remaining flexible to accommodate unexpected occurrences.

Be confident - but always stay humble

Sanders strongly advises readers to exude confidence, referring to it as a natural odor. He distinguishes between confidence and arrogance, stressing the importance of believing in oneself and projecting that belief outwardly. He advises individuals to be confident in various situations, whether it's giving a presentation, making a sale, or interacting with others. He suggests that consistent, high-quality performance is the foundation of confidence and job security. 

He shares personal anecdotes, such as his experience at the NFL Combine, to illustrate the importance of demonstrating one's abilities. He advocates for authenticity and encourages individuals to be true to themselves, urging the readers to be consistent in their actions and to align their behaviors with their values and principles. He warns against being fake and emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's reputation through genuine actions.

While promoting confidence, Sanders also says that it’s important to be humble after all. He suggests that humility does not diminish confidence but rather enhances it by making individuals more relatable and open to feedback. He advises readers to admit when they're wrong, give credit to others, and remain grounded despite their achievements. He says that we must pay attention to the little things in life. He encourages readers to be punctual, polite, continuously learning, and actively involved in their communities. He believes that success is built on a foundation of small, consistent actions and urges readers never to forget their roots.

There is no easy way to succeed, only to put in the hard work

The author mentions the qualities of leaders and "dogs" within organizations, pointing out that at the end of the day, both types of individuals are necessary. He defines a "dog" not as someone who performs poorly, but rather as someone who takes control, acts decisively, and gets things done. 

Sanders suggests that leaders and dogs are both essential components of a successful team or organization. Sanders highlights that leaders possess subtle qualities such as assessing situations, clearly stating objectives, and making decisive decisions. They don't hesitate or waste time seeking consensus but rather take action and take responsibility for their decisions. While captains are traditionally significant in sports, Sanders prefers to reserve the term for the military or police, indicating a preference for a more direct leadership style."Dogs," on the other hand, are described as relentless, tenacious, and hardworking individuals who execute plans with unwavering determination. While their skill sets may differ from leaders, they share the common trait of decisiveness and a "get-it-done" mentality.

Sanders highlights the importance of effective communication in leadership, emphasizing the need for leaders to be great listeners and communicators. He suggests that leaders should keep their teams informed, involved, interested, and inspired through clear and consistent communication. He advocates for leaders to establish clear expectations for their teams and hold them accountable for their actions. By setting clear expectations and being consistent in holding people accountable, leaders can create a culture of high performance and productivity within their teams.

Desire and passion are absolutely necessary in achieving goals. He argues that without a burning desire to succeed, individuals won't put in the necessary hard work and dedication. Sanders encourages readers to visualize their goals, believe in themselves, and be willing to take risks to pursue their dreams. There is no easy way to success, only to put in the necessary effort and hard work to achieve it. He acknowledges that not everyone may enjoy the work they do, but he also reminds readers to maintain a positive attitude and strong work ethic. Sanders encourages individuals to remain disciplined, learn from successful people around them, and be willing to adapt and grow in their profession.

Forget about the bare minimum - Exceed expectations and always strive for more

It’s especially important to understand oneself beyond surface-level facts. Sanders encourages readers to delve deep into their identities, motivations, and aspirations to truly know themselves. This self-awareness, he argues, is essential for success in life. He warns against allowing others to define who you are. He shares personal experiences where people had misconceptions about him, emphasizing the importance of being true to oneself regardless of others’ perceptions. He advises us to always surround ourselves with supportive and like-minded individuals. He highlights the need for continual self-assessment to determine who adds value to one’s life and who detracts from it.

Sanders discusses the concept of personal branding and the importance of presenting oneself authentically to the world. He advises readers to identify their unique qualities and values and to showcase them consistently through actions and communication. He outlines key traits of a good teammate, such as reliability, effective communication, positivity, and willingness to help others. He also shares some practical advice and personal anecdotes to illustrate his points, aiming to empower readers to embrace their true selves, cultivate strong support networks, and excel both individually and as part of a team. He uses the metaphor of a dinner table, where everyone should contribute something of worth. 

He encourages readers to develop their skills, talents, and connections in order to add value to their teams and communities. Sanders advocates for doing more than just the minimum required. He encourages individuals to exceed expectations, take on additional responsibilities, and constantly strive for improvement. By doing so, he argues, one can become invaluable to their team or organization. He urges the readers to identify their unique talents and strengths, and then work to perfect them. He shares his own experience of recognizing his athleticism as his gift and working hard to perfect it, which ultimately led to his success as an athlete.

He encourages readers to become connectors who bring people together and create opportunities for collaboration and growth. Mentors who can offer guidance, support, and perspective are the most important people in your life. He shares his own experiences of being mentored by others and encourages readers to seek out mentors who can help them unlock their full potential.

Respect for women is the cornerstone of every program or organization

Sanders shares personal anecdotes about his upbringing and the influence of his mother on his attitude toward women. - He believes that respect for women should be a cornerstone of any program or organization, extending beyond gender to encompass respect for all individuals at every level, while lack of respect in relationships can lead to dysfunction and breakdowns in communication. Disrespect can undermine self-esteem and cause individuals to withdraw. Sanders advises addressing disrespect head-on rather than avoiding confrontation, as it only perpetuates the problem. Other than that, people should also be mindful of respecting authority figures, whether in the military, workplace, or sports teams. Respecting authority fosters discipline, responsibility, and smoother operations within organizations.

There is a strong connection between looking good, feeling good, and performing well, illustrating how personal presentation and attitude are intertwined. In these chapters, Deion reminds us that we should practice time management, setting goals, avoiding distractions, and being productive. He highlights that time is a valuable resource, perhaps the most valuable, and how we use it ultimately determines our success. 

Sanders speaks from personal experience, having managed his time meticulously while juggling multiple professional sports careers, media roles, business ventures, coaching, and family responsibilities. He stresses the need for a well-defined schedule and a plan to navigate through life's demands efficiently. He advocates for protecting one's prime time by prioritizing tasks and avoiding distractions, especially those like social media, which can consume valuable time without offering meaningful returns. He shares insights into his own approach, including his disciplined and structured lifestyle, and how he avoids wasting time on trivial matters.

Sanders also discusses the importance of being prepared for moments of opportunity, as they can define one's success. He uses his own stories to bring out the consequences of wasting time and the importance of being prepared when those important moments arrive.

Open doors for others and doors will be open for you

The author places special importance on giving back to others and opening doors of opportunity, both literally and metaphorically. He begins by expressing his frustration with the lack of basic courtesy, such as holding the door open for others, and emphasizes the importance of compassion and awareness of other people's needs. Sanders recounts a personal experience of encountering a stranger in need and stopping to offer assistance, highlighting the significance of small acts of kindness in making a difference in someone's life. He stresses that giving back should be done without expecting anything in return and shares stories from his own life where opportunities given to him changed his trajectory.

The author reflects on the pivotal role a stranger played in his life by offering him an opportunity to excel in sports, which ultimately led to his success. He emphasizes the power of one moment or one opportunity in shaping a person's future and encourages others to pay it forward by providing opportunities to those in need. He advocates for giving back to the community, whether through volunteering, mentoring, or supporting local organizations. He argues that giving back not only benefits the community but also enhances business success by fostering employee satisfaction, customer loyalty, and brand perception.

Final notes

"Elevate and Dominate: 21 Ways to Win On and Off the Field" is a book by Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, encapsulating his lifetime of experiences and wisdom into 21 essential principles for success in various aspects of life. Sanders, a revered figure in sports, business, and family, credits his upbringing, career, and personal challenges for shaping his values and leadership style. 

Through his unique perspective, Sanders offers practical advice on overcoming adversity, harnessing competition for self-improvement, and navigating complex life situations. The book is structured around these principles, providing actionable insights applicable not only to sports but also to leadership, relationships, and parenting. An audiobook version, narrated by Sanders himself, offers a personalized and compelling experience, making it an invaluable resource for anyone seeking guidance and inspiration on their journey to success.

12min tip

Are you tired of constantly feeling overwhelmed by the demands of others? Do you wish you could reclaim your time and energy without feeling guilty? If you're ready to take back control of your life and stop being taken for granted, check out "The Art of Saying No" by Damon Zahariades.