The John Wooden Way: 5 Lessons (Plus What if Your Mentor seems Wrong)
Five Lessons: The John Wooden Way
#1. How you think
“Seek wisdom – understand how the quality of your thinking determines the quality of your philosophy about the fundamentals that guide your work and life.”
Every successful leader I work with is a learn-it-all.
- How will you seek wisdom today?
- How are your thoughts impacting the quality of your leadership?
Lynn Guerin on thinking about thinking:
#2. How you set the example
“Demonstrate clarity and consistency in the attitudes, actions, and behaviors you model and expect from your team.”
The greatest challenge you face isn’t developing others. It’s leading yourself.
- How might disappointment with others point to example-setting for you?
- How might you expect more of yourself than you expect from others?
#3. How you teach
“Teach by setting the example and using preparation, effort, methodology, and commitment to create healthy habits that instinctively produce excellence under ever increasing pressure.”
- What habits are essential for your team’s success?
- How are you teaching habits?
#4. How you lead
“Encourage individuals to work together for the common good and the best possible results, while at the same time letting them know they did it themselves.”
- How are you describing and communicating the ‘common good’ to everyone?
- What might you do to strengthen connection on teams today?
#5. How you mentor
I was taken aback when Lynn said, “I don’t think there was ever a time in his life (Wooden) that he wasn’t seeking out mentors of his own.” (Interview)
“Harness the power of mentoring to improve yourself and to serve those you have the privilege to help develop.”
- Who are your mentors?
- What are you learning from your mentors?
- What is essential to effectively mentor others?
I asked Lynn Guerin, “What happens if your mentor’s suggestion doesn’t sit well with you?”
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Which of the Five Lessons seem most relevant to the current challenges of leadership?
Under each of the Five Lessons there’s a set of questions. Which might you take to heart today?
Explore the, “John R. Wooden Course.”
Purchase, “Coach ‘Em Way Up.”
Coach John Wooden’s accomplishments!
*All headings and quoted sentences come from, “Coach’Em Way Up: 5 Lessons from Leading the John Wooden Way,” by Lynn Guerin and Jason Levin, with Jim Eber, unless otherwise noted.
Great column. Many years ago I had the honor of having lunch with John Wooden. A true gentleman and servant leader. He was famous for saying, “you can’t give more than 100%. Your job is to make your 100% look better next year than this year. “
I watched him sign autographs with painfully arthritic hands until all his admirers were able to greet and speak with him.
Thanks Bushee. He was full of quotes and quips. One thing that amazes me is the combination of humility and strength that he displayed.
As a test of leadership he was revered by his players. The most notable who had become NBA legends and those who went on to other careers. He measured success by how many graduated. At the beginning of an interview he acknowledged it was being done because of his winning record. He stated that it wasn’t his standard
So true. Two prominent examples are Bill Walton and Kareem Abdul-Bajjar. I asked Lynn why his players loved him so. Lynn replied, “Because he loved them.”
One of the most surprising things about Wooden is he said he never talked about winning.
Absolutely solid post!
As a trainer, I learned much from reading and learning about Wooden and his strategies. I had one of his quotes posted prominently in my office: “You haven’t taught until they have learned.” This simple but profound motto helped keep my training efforts consistently student-focused through the years.
Thanks, and cheers!
Thanks Jim. I used to stay up late at night to watch UCLA play basketball. I was on the East coast…so it was late for a farm boy.
Wooden focus on others is powerful.
Dan,
So a truly remarkable Coach and mentor for sure. It truly never was about winning yet they played so well for him. So amazing when Coaches, Teachers, connect with the younger people the results can be inspirational for sure. What is essential to effectively mentor others? Jumped out for me, Coach Wooden had the essentials How you think, Lead, Teach, mentor, Set examples and connect.. I used to love watching his teams.