Passion. Skill. Hard work. These are just a few of the requirements placed on hopeful college teams every year as the measure their skill against the best schools in the country.

These teams represent some of the finest examples of drive and determination to succeed on the court and off. For any sales professional, hungry for success, this tenacity is something to be admired and replicated into your work life to help you crush the competition.

So how do the coaches of the Final Four keep their teams motivated and successful? We've assembled some of the best advice for success from each of the four coaches below.

If there is one certainty in both sales and basketball, it's that you are going to lose. However, in both cases, it's how you handle those losses that defines your career and ultimately shapes your success. Bo Ryan knows the importance of learning from a loss, shaking it off, and moving forward.

Neither the best basketball players nor the best sales reps have achieved their status through luck. Billy Donovan knows that the best performers improve and hone their skills on and off the clock. Talent can only get you so far. The rest is determined by the fierceness of your work ethic.

Kevin Ollie of UConn knows that in the long run, it's all about the work you put in to achieve success. You get better by doing things deliberately and consciously--short cuts lead to sloppy work. Put in the hours and hard work and the success will come.

John Calipari of Kentucky understands something that most business often forget: you can't control the competition. Often times, focusing too much on the competition can even damage your position. Focus on what you can offer, and try to make it the best it can be. Soon, the competition will be sweating over you.

Looking for even more expert advice? Grab your copy of our new e-book below!