My favorite business book is A Season on the Brink, by John Feinstein. It chronicles Bobby Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers as they struggle through their exceedingly difficult 1985-86 season. Though not a huge Bobby Knight fan, I’ll never forget Knight’s approach to leadership and adversity. They’re lessons I’ve tried to apply throughout my career.

1. Never quit. No matter how impossible the situation looks, keep trying. Things might be better tomorrow, and if not, at least you’ll be better.

2. Be willing to try everything. To achieve victory, Knight leaves no stone unturned. He screams, cajoles, lectures, pleads, strategizes, plays mind games, and at one demonstrates fly casting on the practice court. He’s just as willing to embarrassing himself as he is to embarrass his players. He keeps the team moving through the sheer force of his uninhibited imagination.

3. Work hard, think hard. Knight is relentless. He’s always engaged in his work, physically and mentally. He works on his team and in his team simultaneously. This gives him matchless perspective and decision making ability.

4. Be yourself. Love him or hate him, Knight is Knight. As difficult, uncompromising and mercurial as he is, players eventually respond to Knight because he’s honest. Honesty and sincerity cover a multitude of sins.