Many people have achieved great moments of success, but John Wooden, the amazing record-holding former UCLA Basketball Coach, who passed away on June 4th 2010, was able to calmly and assuredly achieve it throughout his life. –Not just once or twice, but over and over again.  And, not just in basketball, but in multiple areas of life. –All emanating from his deep character-driven values and actions.

As business owners and marketers, the ongoing lessons we can all apply from John Wooden’s coaching expertise are vast. 

He knew how to make a difference. He knew how to bring the best out of people.

Those fortunate enough to know him, listen to him, or read his books (like his Pyramid of Success Playbook and How to Create a Winning Organization), realize the enduring impact of his approach and teaching.  He created a unique “Pyramid of Success” focusing on the building blocks of developing strong relationships, discipline, conditioning, skills, values and character (among others)… all culminating in a pinnacle of “Competitive Greatness.” This was applied to his athletic training program and beyond –for life and business.  Wooden’s former players still talk about how they draw upon this rock-solid approach in their lives today.

Coach Wooden said, “Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.” He rarely talked just about winning, only working hard to achieve his players’ god-given potentials.  He also said, “I think that’s the factor from which I have received the greatest satisfaction and pleasure.  The fact that practically all my players did get their degrees and have done well in whatever their chosen profession might be.”

John Wooden coached using deep care and discipline.  He also humbly led by example, achieving a long, successful career and marriage –a deeply satisfying and healthy life (he almost reached his 100th birthday!)

As for John Wooden’s historic achievements, he was the first person ever enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player (inducted in 1961) and as a coach (inducted in 1973).  Many believe that what he achieved as a coach, with an 88 game winning streak, along with 10 NCAA championships, will likely never be repeated again (No other coach has even come close to his record!).

Coach Wooden also played a highly critical and instrumental role in eradicating the color-barriers of the sport. He was among one of the first white basketball coaches to insist on playing African-American players. He opened the doors to all those willing to meet the challenges of his training.  As long as players were willing to go through the rigorous physical, mental and essentially, spiritual training of the program for optimal achievement, he’d recruit them.  As a result, Wooden created one of the most desired basketball programs in history.  He attracted the best recruits in the country and his character-building approach became the cornerstone of his legacy.

The public and media were so astonished by his winning achievements and the turn-around of UCLA’s struggling team (which previously had an undistinguished loosing streak), they often called him the “Wizard of Westwood.”  Coach Wooden detested the knick-name, assuring people that by no means were their winnings the result of ‘magic’.  Those who understood, knew how he maximized each player’s teamwork and potential –while guiding and inspiring like no other!

He seemed to have an effect on just about everyone who crossed his path. (See  Wooden’s influence spread beyond sports.)  Legendary basketball player Karim Abdul-Jabar said of Coach Wooden, “He was more like a parent than a coach.  He really was a very selfless and giving human being, but he was a disciplinarian.  We learned all about those aspects of life that most kids want to skip over.  He wouldn’t let us do that.”

Coach Wooden’s words and thoughts will be indelibly imprinted in the hearts and minds of all his students –as athletes, businesspeople and human beings.  Here are some cherished quotes from Coach John Wooden:

• “It isn’t what you do, but how you do it.”

• “Be quick, but don’t hurry”

• “The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team.”

• “Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”

• “If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?

• “It’s what you do after you know it all that counts.”

• “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.”

• “A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.”

• “If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything. I’m positive that a doer makes mistakes.”

• “You can’t let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”

• “You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.”

For greater business and marketing leadership, reflect on the dynamic power of  ’sound basics.’  Think healthy relationships, teamwork, values, skills, and essentially excel through the building-blocks of Coach Wooden’s ‘Pyramid of Success.’ Seize each and every day to be the best you can be!

Web Marketing Therapy Related Links:

• Business Success: Use VALUE(S) as Your Springboard and Your North Star!
• Business Leadership & Creating a ‘Culture’: Reflections of Ted Kennedy & His Family Legacy
• Inauguration Day: Pledge to Embrace Leadership Within!
• Business & Marketing Success: What’s LOVE got to do with it?

Categories: Blog, Entreprenurial Marketing Advice, Motivational Marketing Quotes, Small Business, Web Marketing Deep Thoughts

Tags: Business Lessons from Coach John Wooden, Coach John Wooden, Pamela Sherman, Pyramid of Success, What Small Business Can Learn from John Wooden

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