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A DIFFERENT WAY TO WIN
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About the Book

Dan Rooney was one of the most-influential sports executives of his generation, the man who transformed the Pittsburgh Steelers into one of the National Football League’s great dynasties and premiere franchises. Some of his most-important achievements, however, took place off the playing field as he sought to bring about equity in the league’s hiring practices and peace in his ancestral homeland of Ireland. As a business leader, a philanthropist, a diplomat and the author of the famous Rooney Rule, Dan Rooney was known for his core values, his quiet strength, his effectiveness, and his willingness to talk to and hear from those who disagreed with him.

In this poignant account of his father’s life, Jim Rooney takes readers behind the scenes to share stories from his hundreds of hours of interviews with business and political leaders; sports and celebrity influencers; and family members. Part memoir, part business biography, part history, A Different Way to Win underscores the importance of focusing on the long game and the effectiveness in building consensus in a way that is meaningful and sustainable for decades to come. 

 

READ THE FOREWORD BY JOE GREENE

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Dan Rooney was a unifier. He built fundamental connections with those who had different points of view and he believed this was a force for good.

Jim Rooney on ‘why I wrote this book’

My father spent much of his professional life navigating the differences between disparate parties, trying to narrow the chasms that divided them. I wrote this book because I wanted to provide a story of a unique approach to leadership, management and organizational culture. I hope it will inspire the next generation of leaders.

In writing the book, I also wanted to show that success is about people being part of a team, finding ways to support the person next to them, and being willing to make sacrifices for one another in pursuit of a common goal. These qualities truly represent what is best about a team.

Finally, it’s my hope that I demonstrate my father was able to win while also being a “good guy”—and that such a unique approach to winning can make an authentic and long-lasting difference. I believe this approach to winning is more effective and delivers more sustainable results than the common view of winner take all. 

A Different Way To Win In Action
  • Unveiling ‘A Different Way To Win’
    Unveiling ‘A Different Way To Win’
    Jim Rooney & Art Rooney II unveil a new book celebrating the career of their father, Dan Rooney
  • A new look at a Steelers legend
    A new look at a Steelers legend
    Jim Rooney previews his new book, 'A Different Way to Win', which focuses on his father, Dan Rooney.
  • Building the tradition
    Building the tradition
    Author Jim Rooney on how his family built the values and principles upon which the Steelers stood upon

About the Author

Jim Rooney, one of Dan and Patricia Rooney’s nine children, worked alongside his father for decades.  Jim’s personal and professional view of his father’s long career comes from having assisted his father with relationships at the State Department and the White House during Dan’s time serving as Ambassador to Ireland and, also, being involved in the football enterprise and support of the Rooney Rule.

In addition to being an author, Jim is a business owner, consultant, facilitator and national speaker.

He is co-partner of Rooney Consulting, which assists organizations with enhancing culture, building strong teams and growing businesses. 

In addition, Jim founded FirstLink Research and Analytics, a world leader in building business analysis for technology transition.

He has launched, led and developed several initiatives, working across the academic, government and technology sectors.  He has advised on projects for the U.S. Federal Government; several foreign governments; corporations such as Henry Ford Health Systems, BNY Mellon, Koppers; and the University of Pittsburgh, University of Cincinnati and University of Miami.

Jim holds an Organizational Consulting certificate from Georgetown University and a B.A. in Political Science and Communications from Boston College. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Jewish Healthcare Foundation of Pittsburgh, The American Ireland Funds and Gilmour Academy.

REQUEST JIM AS A SPEAKER

Thoughts From Our Readers
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"I've enjoyed [the book] immensely and became engrossed in all the chapters. It is well written with a clear narrative thread, conveying interesting information that engages the reader. Using the life's work Dan Rooney, this tells a stirring story about America, immigrant Americans, football, politics and civil rights in the past half century."

Ted Smyth
Board of Gluckman Ireland House NYU
Former EVP Corporate Affairs at McGraw Hill Financial
2019-09-28T22:41:08+00:00
"I've enjoyed [the book] immensely and became engrossed in all the chapters. It is well written with a clear narrative thread, conveying interesting information that engages the reader. Using the life's work Dan Rooney, this tells a stirring story about America, immigrant Americans, football, politics and civil rights in the past half century." Ted SmythBoard of Gluckman Ireland House NYUFormer EVP Corporate Affairs at McGraw Hill Financial
https://adifferentwaytowin.com/testimonials/well-written-with-a-clear-narrative/
"I love it. This is an excellent, wide-ranging story about family, the history of the NFL and Steelers, Ireland and the family’s heritage, and the critical issue of diversity and inclusion in sports and beyond."

Greg Aiello
Former NFL Senior VP/ Communications 
2019-09-28T22:49:21+00:00
"I love it. This is an excellent, wide-ranging story about family, the history of the NFL and Steelers, Ireland and the family’s heritage, and the critical issue of diversity and inclusion in sports and beyond." Greg AielloFormer NFL Senior VP/ Communications 
https://adifferentwaytowin.com/testimonials/wide-ranging-story-about-family/
"I like the way this book reads. It weaves in audiences with different interests and demographics. I found it quite compelling."

Jeremi Duru
Professor at American University Washington College of Law
Leading sports law authority
2019-09-28T22:50:37+00:00
"I like the way this book reads. It weaves in audiences with different interests and demographics. I found it quite compelling." Jeremi DuruProfessor at American University Washington College of LawLeading sports law authority
https://adifferentwaytowin.com/testimonials/audiences-with-different-interests/
"Mr. Rooney’s contributions, in his day, can be compared to those of Branch Rickey.”

Eric Holder
Former Attorney General, United States of America
2019-10-11T19:04:42+00:00
"Mr. Rooney’s contributions, in his day, can be compared to those of Branch Rickey.” Eric HolderFormer Attorney General, United States of America
https://adifferentwaytowin.com/testimonials/compared-to-those-of-branch-rickey/
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IN THE NEWS

Official book launch news release

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Media Gallery Watch
WATCH

With Bob Pompeani on KDKA-TV

With Andy Sheehan on KDKA-TV

With Maria Bartiromo on Mornings with Maria, Fox News

News Clip on Good Morning Football, NFL Network

With Cheddar TV

With Adam Schein on Time to Schein, CBS Sports

With Andrew Siciliano on NFL RedZone

With Cleveland Browns Owner, Dee Haslam City Club of Cleveland,

With Bill Cowher on NFL on CBS

With Jon Delano on KD/PG Sunday Morning Show Part 1

With Jon Delano on KD/PG Sunday Morning Show Part 2

Media Gallery Read
READ

Book excerpt on NFL.com

Book excerpt on Sports Business Journal

Labriola on Steelers.com

“Gene Therapy: Jim Rooney’s book on his father Dan expands a Legacy” on Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Jim Rooney on his new Book ‘A Different Way to Win’” on Steelers Takeaway

“Lessons the Cleveland Browns could learn from the Pittsburgh Steelers? Balancing risk and patience” on Cleveland.com

“Jim Rooney remembers his father’s outsized NFL legacy in new book” on SportBusiness

“‘A Different Way to Win’ details Dan Rooney’s life’s work, with the Steelers and beyond” on Trib Live

“'A Different Way To Win:' New book will tell story of Dan Rooney's life” on WTAE

“Steelers unveil project to celebrate career of Dan Rooney” on WPXI “New Dan Rooney book offers details into his life, stewardship” on DK Sports

Media Gallery Listen
LISTEN

The Sporting Life with Jeremy Schaap on ESPN Radio

Small Business Report with Gordon Deal

Westwood One Sports with Amber Theoharis on NFL

The Peter King Podcast

Bloomberg Business of Sports Podcast with Scott Soshnick, Eben Novy-Williams and Michael Barr

Tiki and Tierney Podcast with Tiki Barber and Brandon Tierney on CBS Sports

The Cook and Joe Show on 93.7 the Fan 

Savran on Sports with Stan Savran on ESPN

RapSheet + Friends with Ian Rapoport on Westwood One Sports

Steelers Nation Radio Pregame Show with Mike Prisuta and Gerry Dulac on SNR

Steelers Nation Radio Drive with Dale Lolley and Matt Williamson on SNR

The Confluence on 90.5 WESA

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