Dean Smith won 879 games during his legendary career as the basketball coach at University of North Carolina—making him among the winningest coaches ever. He also won the respect and admiration of those who worked with and played for him. What made him so effective both on and off the court? What set him apart as a leader?

Author David Chadwick, who played on championship teams for Smith, provides an inside look at how Smith led and influenced others so that they knew success not only on the basketball court, but everywhere else. In It's How You Play the Game, he presents 12 principles that marked Smith's approach to leadership, business, and life, including...