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More than just a metaphor;

Iron Sharpens Iron is a proven strategy for achieving excellence

Iron Sharpens Iron is a proven strategy for achieving excellenceIron Sharpens Iron is a proven strategy for achieving excellenceIron Sharpens Iron is a proven strategy for achieving excellence
get your copy today

More than just a metaphor;

Iron Sharpens Iron is a proven strategy for achieving excellence

Iron Sharpens Iron is a proven strategy for achieving excellenceIron Sharpens Iron is a proven strategy for achieving excellenceIron Sharpens Iron is a proven strategy for achieving excellence
get your copy today

Unlock Your Business’s Winning Edge

A testament to the power of competition, innovation & the human spirit to drive unparalleled success

A testament to the power of competition, innovation & the human spirit to drive unparalleled success

A testament to the power of competition, innovation & the human spirit to drive unparalleled success

A football and a book titled 'Iron Sharpens Iron' on a stadium field near the goalpost.

In the fiercely competitive realms of management, leadership, and strategy, success demands more than just innovative ideas and robust execution. It requires a winning edge – a fusion of strategy, leadership, and relentless motivation that transcends conventional business wisdom.   


Iron Sharpens Iron: How Borrowing from the Pro Sports Playbook Can Give Businesses the Winning Edge, by seasoned business leader Andrew Johnson, offers this edge by blending the thrill of professional sports with the strategic acumen required for business excellence.

Drawing from the Front Lines of Sports and Business Leadership

A testament to the power of competition, innovation & the human spirit to drive unparalleled success

A testament to the power of competition, innovation & the human spirit to drive unparalleled success

Man tossing a football on a professional football field inside a stadium.

Strategy and Competition: Discover how the high-stakes world of professional sports, including the NFL, mirrors the competitive landscape of business, offering unparalleled insights into business strategies from sports and strategic maneuvering for competitive advantage. Management Science: Johnson dives deep into the mechanics of leadership and management, team management, and talent development, revealing the science behind assembling winning teams in both sports and business arenas. 

Leadership & Motivation: Through riveting anecdotes and personal experiences, this book, 'Iron Sharpens Iron,' explores the dynamic role of leadership and motivation in overcoming adversity, driving performance, and securing lasting success.

Business Leader Book Reviews

Tim Ford Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Treasury Wine Estates

Tim Ford Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Treasury Wine Estates

Tim Ford Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Treasury Wine Estates

Johnson clearly outlines the opportunity business leaders have to learn from sports, emphasizing the business strategies from sports that can be applied in various contexts. Given the NFL's very public journey through media coverage, it provides numerous relevant case studies that can enhance leadership and management practices. The coverage of exiting the pandemic, for example, offers valuable insights—such as capital management and financial strength—as well as the necessity for agility and flexibility in balancing the diverse risks and opportunities that arise, all of which echo the themes found in the Iron Sharpens Iron book.

Adam Driussi Co-Founder and CEO Quantium, and Chairman Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

Tim Ford Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Treasury Wine Estates

Tim Ford Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Treasury Wine Estates

Running a business and now managing a football club, I find that business strategies from sports resonate deeply with me and are something I consider daily. It's fascinating to reflect on how some leagues use profits to fund future growth while in a position of power. For instance, the AFL has historically excelled at this, creating a national competition. Similarly, the NFL has implemented innovative strategies, while Rugby League is now investing in expanding the game into the US. The varying approaches of all sporting leagues to grassroots development offer invaluable lessons in leadership and management, reminiscent of the principles outlined in the 'Iron Sharpens Iron' book.

Peter James Chair and Non-Executive Director, multiple listed companies

Tim Ford Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Treasury Wine Estates

Peter James Chair and Non-Executive Director, multiple listed companies

One of my go-to sporting analogies is the question, “where is the puck going?” This concept, often used in ice hockey, encourages players to position themselves where the puck will be rather than chasing it in its current location. This principle applies equally in the tech sector when developing business strategies from sports. Instead of focusing solely on today’s demands, look ahead to where the gaps in the market will be in five years; otherwise, you’ll struggle to catch up. In my book, 'Iron Sharpens Iron', I share numerous strong sporting anecdotes that illustrate how these lessons can enhance leadership and management in a broader business context, just like strategies observed in the NFL.

Robert Hillard Consulting Leader, Deloitte Asia Pacific

Robert Hillard Consulting Leader, Deloitte Asia Pacific

Peter James Chair and Non-Executive Director, multiple listed companies

The reason you often hear business leaders use sporting metaphors is because they are effective. However, Johnson takes it a step further by examining which sports, particularly the NFL, sporting leagues, and businesses have best navigated the challenging circumstances of the pandemic. This analysis provides valuable insights and anecdotes that reflect the business strategies from sports, which can benefit every leader in the realms of leadership and management. His insights could even inspire those familiar with the 'Iron Sharpens Iron' book.

Trudy MacDonald Founder & MD, TalentCode HR

Robert Hillard Consulting Leader, Deloitte Asia Pacific

Phillip Muhlbauer Principal, Global Investors

Johnson masterfully intertwines the realms of sports and business, drawing powerful parallels between the two worlds. Through compelling anecdotes and data-driven insights, he highlights essential lessons in grit, accountability, and the transformative impact of incremental improvements. This book, titled 'Iron Sharpens Iron', is a must-read for anyone seeking to unlock the winning mindset shared by top athletes, sporting organizations, and those looking to implement effective business strategies from sports in their leadership and management practices, including insights from the NFL.

Phillip Muhlbauer Principal, Global Investors

Robert Hillard Consulting Leader, Deloitte Asia Pacific

Phillip Muhlbauer Principal, Global Investors

In environments with elite competition, financial expectations and performance demands are ever-present. Technology has removed geographical boundaries, enabling global consumer consumption. Sports administrators, particularly within the NFL, now face heightened expectations accompanied by increased transparency and scrutiny. They must navigate business strategies from sports that encompass everything from capital management to fostering grass roots development. As highlighted in the book 'Iron Sharpens Iron', Johnson illustrates that the playbook for any business is grounded in fundamental principles, which are essential for effective leadership and management. When momentum is lost, the journey back becomes a formidable challenge.

A man stands smiling in front of a Los Angeles Chargers locker labeled Johnson 77.

For Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs, and Innovators

Whether you’re a CEO, manager, entrepreneur, or business enthusiast, the Iron Sharpens Iron book will inspire you to reflect on your business strategies from sports, leadership style, and the core values that define your pursuit of excellence. It’s an essential read for anyone eager to translate the passion and precision of professional sports into business victories.


From the Gridiron to the Boardroom


Andrew Johnson’s expertise spans the globe of technology and management, making him the ideal guide to help navigate the complexities of modern business challenges. His narrative is rich with examples from the NFL, NBA, NRL, AFL, Cricket, and Rugby Union, offering a unique perspective on resilience, adaptability, and success in leadership and management.

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Sporting anecdotes provide valuable insights for talks on business strategies from sports, coaching mindset, and transferrable skills. These stories often draw from leadership and management principles found in the NFL and are also reflected in the 'Iron Sharpens Iron' book.

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