Bullshit: A Good Word and a Vi

When you think of leadership, you might think of motivation, mentoring, or coaching—or maybe inspiring “win one for the Gipper” speeches. John W. Wright would like to add a new tactic to your leadership strategies: positive bullshit.

At first glance, that seems an odd (if not outright outlandish) strategy. Bullshit is not usually seen as positive—indeed, the word is most often associated with falsehoods and nonsense.

This is true, but positive bullshit can be a powerful leadership force—a “fake it till you make it” strategy that has very real and positive effects on your team. Positive BS is emotional makeup. Practice the fine art of positive bullshit, and learn to change negative actions into positive ones, turning inferior results into superior outcomes.

Beginning with a humorous examination of the role bullshit plays in life, Wright then reveals the secrets of positive bullshit and how to use it to inspire yourself and your team. It’s a tactic not taught in business school but one athletic coaches know well—convince a team they can do it, and more often than not, they rise to your expectations. Even when you know it’s bullshit.

John W. Wright comes from a family of coaches, so he has always had people encouraging him to reach his potential.

A high-school All-American in football, Wright was also a state champion and state record holder in track. Recruited by over sixty schools, Wright chose the University of Illinois, where he ended his college career as the leading receiver in Illinois and Big Ten history and No. 5 all time in NCAA history.

Wright was a second round draft choice by the Atlanta Falcons and then traded to the Detroit Lions. He played for three years before a ruptured Achilles tendon ended his professional career.

Wright spent ten years as a wealth advisor with Northwestern Mutual before serving for twenty-six years as a managing partner in Champaign, Illinois. He now consults high-ranking professionals, is a public speaker, and conducts leadership camps.

Married to Deanna for forty-nine years, Wright has two children, John II and Ashley. They and Wright's grandchildren continue the family's athletic traditions.