Climbing the pyramid for success - John Wooden's 15 building blocks for success
By Harvey Schachter, GlobeandMail.com
June 21, 2010
When John Wooden arrived at UCLA in 1948 to launch his record-setting tenure as coach of the university basketball team, the first thing he pinned on his wall was his Pyramid of Success, 15 building blocks for success he had been developing in his teaching and coaching career. InCoach Wooden’s Leadership Game Plan For Success, written with long-time collaborator Steve Jamieson and published last year, he shared that five-tier pyramid, which is worth reviving in the wake of his death earlier this month at age 99.
BOTTOM TIER
Industriousness: This was the first block chosen – a cornerstone because success travels in the company of hard work. He called it industriousness because he felt the word work had lost real meaning. For most people, work simply means going through the motions; industriousness means full engagement.
Enthusiasm: Industriousness is unattainable without enthusiasm, the other cornerstone. You must love what you do. Enthusiasm infuses and stimulates those you lead.
Friendship: Between those foundation cornerstones, he placed three “working together” blocks because most of our accomplishments involve interacting and working together. The first is friendship, which in the context of leadership and team building means building a team filled with camaraderie and respect.
Loyalty: You must have the courage to be loyal to those you lead. That starts with loyalty to yourself – your standards, system, and values. Loyalty was placed at the center of the pyramid’s foundation.
Co-operation: Co-operation is a priority of effective leadership. The only thing not shared is blame. A strong and secure leader accepts blame and gives credit.
SECOND TIER
Self-control: Control of your organization begins with control of yourself. Mr. Wooden told his players when they lost control, they made themselves vulnerable. The same is true for a leader.
Alertness: You must constantly be alert in evaluating yourself as well as the strengths and weaknesses of your organization and your competition.
Initiative: He believed a basketball team that won’t risk mistakes won’t win many games, and the same was true for other organizations. Have the courage to make decisions and the willingness to risk failure. Do not be afraid to fail.
Intentness: Persistence, determination, fortitude and resolve are features in great leaders. When thwarted, try again – harder, and smarter.
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