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Pat Williams has known the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat--both on the sidelines of the basketball court and in his personal life. In this engaging look at his life and career, he tells of big-name players, multimillion dollar deals, and nail-biting playoffs during his rise from minor league wunderkind to general manager of an NBA championship team. He also tells of his heart-crushing divorce and his battle with cancer. In Ahead of the Game he offers readers ten principles for success that will inspire them to live a winning life despite their challenges.

Extreme winners are not content with being second. That's equivalent to being the first loser. 'Anybody can live life when things are going well; the real test comes when adversity strikes and setbacks nail you. When that happens, how are you going to respond?' It's been five years since Pat Williams learned firsthand what an oncologist was. Five years since he had to actually prove that he bought into his own message in order to beat the cancer attacking the plasma cells in his bone marrow. Five years since he responded to the diagnosis with a new mission for remission and determined to face his mission with one goal - winning! Now, Williams and Kerasotis share that same focus and passion with readers by identifying 12 qualities of extreme winners and by providing all of the tools they need to implement each one. When put into practice - which readers can do right away - there is no telling what can happen. And there is no telling what they can accomplish.

Pat says though the vision of one person can change the world, no one can carry out a vision alone. Extreme dreams depend on teams, and lack of teamwork is often how big dreams go unrealized. Using examples and anecdotes from history and contemporary life, Pat shows how the greatest world-changing events came to be as the result of the passion of single individuals. In each case, a team was assembled with people equipped in the various areas needed to bring the vision to pass. Pat addresses team assembly, dynamics, and pitfalls to give readers guidance they can immediately apply to their own circumstances. Everyone is looking for ways to be more successful in life. Pat Williams serves up a book packed with practical help to get readers where they want to be.

After speaking on teaching and influencing young people at a student gathering in Texas, Pat Williams received an email from a high school coach who had heard his talk. Coach McCall's email stated that every kid who’s growing up is dying to live his life. But as people get older, instead of dying to life, they start living to die. His closing thought is What are you dying for? Unable to escape this question, author and professional sports veteran Pat Williams invites readers to ask, When my days on earth are over, will I discover that I have wasted my life on meaningless things that have no lasting and eternal value? Most people are living for four things fortune, status, power or pleasure. Just as there are four false reasons for living our lives, there are four true, meaningful and satisfying reasons for living, and for dying. These give purpose and value to our lives, so that we can know our lives have eternal significance. If you died tomorrow, what would people say? Jesus’ statement in answer is Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. Starting here, Pat gives a powerful, practical and encouraging plan for how to live a life that truly matters, and to leave a legacy that never dies.

Everyone wants to pursue a life of meaning, a life that matters—a life of authentic success and lasting satisfaction. But what’s the secret to living the life you’ve always dreamed of? In this personal, relevant and engaging book of wisdom, Pat Williams shares six powerful, practical insights that aren't taught in schook, but are essential in the pursuit of a successful and rewarding life. Packed with page-turning stories, The Pursuit illustrates the life-changing concepts Pat learned from his mentor, R.E. Littlejohn, long-time co-owner of a minor league baseball club and Pat's former boss. These six principles are at the heart of this captivating quick-start manual for anyone who wants to hit the ground running and take on the world. They are: control what you can (and let go of everything else); be patient; keep it simple; pay your dues (because experience matters); pay attention to the little things; and don't run from problems.

Every one of us has influence, whether we realize it or not. In everything we say and do, we are influencing those around us. What if we became more aware, more intentional, and more strategic about our own influence? Well, we might just change the world. True influence, says Pat Williams, isn't about getting what you want--it's about serving others. Using personal stories from his own life and the lives of others, Williams shows readers the difference between influence and manipulation, how to influence others through both words and deeds, and ultimately how to change the world for the better, one relationship at a time. This book will inspire readers to build a positive legacy in the lives of others and take the role of influencer to heart. Each chapter includes questions and ideas for personal reflection and practical application, and can be used to guide group discussions as well. Includes a foreword by Joe Girardi, manager of the New York Yankees.

Times of crisis call for revolutionary leadership. What better model could we have for courage and creativity under fire than those who found themselves in positions of leadership during the American Revolutionary War? Men and women, famous and obscure, of European and African descent--the leaders of the revolution faced outrageous odds and dire consequences should they fail. Yet they stuck to their principles, winning the most unlikely of victories and not only shaping a new country but reshaping the world. Now Pat Williams helps you apply their genius to your sphere of influence. Through the remarkable stories of more than 25 leaders of the American Revolution, you'll discover fresh insight into how great leaders are formed, refined, tested, and strengthened. As Thomas Paine wrote, "We have it in our power to begin the world over again." Let Pat Williams show you how to lead in our day with revolutionary courage, confidence, and a serving heart.

Through engaging stories and inspiring examples of those who have found their sweet spot for success, Williams shows readers how to identify their greatest talent, pursue their greatest passion, and multiply their efforts through teamwork. They'll discover how to maximize their natural gifting, focus their enthusiasm, and leverage their talent and passion into a lifetime of success. Perfect for graduates going off to college or work, or anyone who is still looking for a career that satisfies their soul.

We live in a culture obsessed with celebrity. When we're not trying to make a name for ourselves, we're following the big names on Twitter, liking them on Facebook, and taking selfies with them if we are lucky enough to run into them in real life. We love winners and we want to be winners. But take it from a man who knows more famous people than most of us will ever meet--it's not who you know that's important, it's who you are inside. With short, story-driven readings, Pat Williams draws from over fifty years of brushing shoulders with the greats, offering readers motivation to do their best, be themselves, and continually strive to be the people God made them to be. He shows that being a "winner" is more about character, attitudes, values, and faith than it is about coming out on top. Stories from legendary sports figures, leaders, and fascinating people from all walks of life help readers develop true character that speaks for itself.

"In his motivational and easy-to-read style, Pat Williams once again articulates the universal lessons to be learned from the world of sports. As an 'old QB,' I was reminded of my won experiences and the valuable lessons on the 'fields of friendly strife.' Anyone committed to being a part of a team or building a team must read The Magic of Teamwork." Jack Kemp, Vice President Candidate 1996 and Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.