Book Club: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
Shoe Dog by Phil Knight: Risk, Resolve, and Real-World Leadership Lessons
Most of us have owned a pair of Nikes at some point—but have you ever explored the leadership journey behind the swoosh? Shoe Dog is the memoir of Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, and it’s much more than a brand-building story. It’s a candid, gritty dive into entrepreneurship, perseverance, and personal evolution.
This one was a hit with our book club. Knight’s raw, unpolished storytelling struck a chord with many of us. The book is packed with insights into his entrepreneurial spirit, his moments of blind faith, and the immense risks he was willing to take to create what eventually became one of the most iconic global brands.
Personally, I was one of the first to admit that Knight’s approach is quite different from mine. While undeniably impressive, his appetite for risk and his occasionally ruthless decision-making are not styles I would—or could—adopt. His tendency to avoid honest, kindly delivered feedback was especially challenging to reconcile with how I believe relationships should be nurtured in leadership settings.
That said, there were moments that truly inspired. Late in the book, Knight describes Nike’s response to global criticism surrounding factory conditions overseas. Their response, especially in confronting the “rubber room” issue, was both admirable and deeply human. Developing a water-based bonding agent to reduce toxic fumes—and then freely sharing that invention with competitors—was a remarkable move. It was a clear act of industry-wide stewardship and a powerful reminder that values can drive innovation and impact beyond the bottom line.
One of my favourite tales—something I think many leaders can draw strength from—comes in the final few pages. Knight recounts a visit with Masuro Hayami, former CEO of Nissho, who helped shape Nike’s early years. Knight confides his frustration:
“We have a terrible time getting managers who can seize opportunities. We try people from the outside but they fail, because our culture is so different.”
It’s a sentiment I’ve heard echoed by leaders time and again. Hayami’s wisdom stood out:
“See those bamboo trees up there? Next year… when you come… they will be one foot higher.”
That moment led Knight to embrace a longer-term mindset—investing in his existing team through training and time, rather than expecting instant alignment from outsiders. It was a powerful metaphor for leadership patience, and it clearly paid off.
The book closes on a surprisingly tender note. As Knight describes the creation of Nike’s athletic facilities, one plaque stood out to me as a mother of two. It reads:
“Because mothers are our first coaches.”
A simple yet poignant reminder of where leadership often begins; at home.
Shoe Dog is a compelling read—one that stretches your thinking, nudges you out of familiar zones, and sparks conversation about how different paths to leadership can be just as transformative and successful, even if they don’t look like your own.
