Leading and managing a team — whether in sports, business, or life — is never easy, says Lancer women’s basketball head coach Chantal Vallée. It demands vision, strategy, and the ability to inspire people. That’s why she decided to share lessons she drew from her own academic research and hands-on experience transforming a last-place squad into five-time national champions.

Her new book, Dare to Win, is a playbook for personal and professional transformation.

Co-authored with Gordon Bloom, a researcher in coaching and leadership science at McGill University and director of its Sport Psychology Research Lab, as well as advisor on Vallée’s master’s thesis, Dare to Win presents a research-backed model of success that applies to leaders in every field: from sports and education to the military, business, and health care.

The book is more than theory — it’s a mix of anecdotes, inspirational stories, and examples of successful individuals who employ strategies like Vallée’s to bring on transformation.

“It was really writing a bit of a legacy piece,” says Vallée. “I’m hoping it will motivate people to bring change in their business, in their personal lives.”

Dare to Win is already receiving praise from top coaches, corporate leaders, and educators across Canada, the U.S., the U.K., and Australia. The foreword is written by NBA championship coach Nick Nurse, which Vallée says adds yet another layer of credibility to the lessons shared inside.

“As a proud member of the University of Windsor community, I hope Dare to Win highlights the excellence and resilience of our University and city on a global scale,” she says. “I’m grateful to the University for the role it has played in my journey, and I hope this book serves as a small way to give back.”

Dare to Win will be available March 18 and can be pre-ordered through Indigo or Audible.