Wooden on Leadership

With all the hoopla of the NCAA Basketball tournament going on, we thought it appropriate to share with you some advice from one of the greatest coaches ever. The following excerpt comes from Coach John Wooden and Jay Carty’s book Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success.

Competitive Greatness

CondencePoise

Team SpiritSkillCondition

IntentnessInitiativeAlertnessSelf-Control

EnthusiasmCooperationLoyaltyFriendshipIndustriousness Faith Patience “Success travels in the company of very hard work. There is no trick, no easy way.” “Control of your organization begins with control of yourself. Be disciplined.” “Ability may get you to the top, but character keeps you there – mental, moral, and physical.” “Be yourself. Don’t be thrown o by events whether good or bad.” “Perform at your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day.”

“The strongest steel is well-founded self-belief. It is earned, not given.” “What a leader learns after you’ve learned it all counts most of all.” “The star of the team is the team. ‘We’ supercedes ‘me’. ” “Constantly be aware and observing. Always seek to improve yourself and the team.” “Make a decision! Failure to act is often the biggest failure of all.” “Stay the course. When thwarted try again; harder; smarter. Persevere relentlessly.” “Strive to build a team lled with comaraderie and respect: comrades-inarms.” “Be true to yourself. Be true to those you lead.” “Have utmost concern for what’s right rather than who’s right.” “Your energy and enjoyment, drive and dedication will stimulate and greatly inspire others.” While many rank Wooden as the greatest coach of the twentieth century he considered himself first a teacher. Wooden was married to his high school sweetheart, Nell, for fifty-three years. Coach Wooden lived to be 99. Coach Wooden passed away on June 4, 2010. Success is peace of mind that is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming. When do we know that we have succeeded? When asking ourselves this question, we should forget what others think. They don’t know. We should be more concerned with our character than with our reputation: Our character is what we truly are, while our reputation is merely what others perceive us to be. As I have often said, having a good reputation doesn’t determine success. Neither do awards, accolades or achievements. Winning seems so important, but it actually is irrelevant. Having attempted to give our all is what matters—and we are the only ones who really know the truth about our own capabilities and performance. Did we do our best at this point in our life? Did we leave all we had to give on the field, in the classroom, at the office or in the trenches? If we did, then we are a success – at that stage of our life. But being successful at one point doesn’t necessarily make us a success at every point – and it does not mean that we reach the apex. We must learn to give our all in one success after another. Likewise, accomplishing certain goals does not necessarily translate to success. As I write these words, I am 94 years old. God has given me good health beyond what most people could ever dream to have. I still drive my car for short distances. I am still independent, and I want to stay that way. I want to continue to live in the home that I shared with my dear wife, Nellie. But being able to accomplish that goal has nothing to do with being successful. Goals are wonderful in that they stretch us and help us to reach our potential, but making or missing goals has nothing to do with success. It is not my way to count or list my awards. I know that people still want to hear me speak, and I am honored by their requests. People still want to meet with me – in fact, they come from all over the world. It is a privilege to be able to continue to encourage others. My hectic schedule has probably done much to keep my mind as clear as it is, even though it’s not as sharp as it once was. My family has been around me, too. What a blessing that has been! I am blessed beyond belief – but am I a success? Believe me when I say, none of these factors is part of the criteria. I am not saying I don’t appreciate the blessings that have come my way. I am not saying that at all. But if none of these good things had ever occurred, I would not be any less successful. I can recount the blessings in my life, but blessings aren’t success. The real determining factor is this: Did I make the effort to do my best? That is the only criteria, and I am the only one who knows (well, me and God). Am I a success? I have peace of mind.

Well done, my good and faithful servant (Matthew 25:21). “ Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts. ” To find out more about Coach Wooden, his books and Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success visit www.regalbooks.com or www.coachwooden.com.