It’s always instructive to remember the life and leadership of the great John Wooden, especially this week as the NCAA men’s basketball championship gets underway, a tournament Wooden won a record ten times.
I have great memories of watching UCLA, with John Wooden as a coach, play in the NCAA basketball tournament in my youth. The players were highly motivated and disciplined. I remember the intensity of their full-court press as they succeeded against the top teams in the Nation.
John Wooden won ten NCAA national championships and is widely regarded as one of the greatest motivational coaches of all time, not just for his impressive record of success but also for his ability to inspire and shape the lives of his players.
Wooden was known for his calm demeanor and wisdom. He taught basketball techniques and life lessons that transcended the court. His famous Pyramid of Success emphasized hard work, discipline, and perseverance, guiding his players to become better athletes and individuals. Wooden was an expert at building character, instilling a powerful sense of integrity, and fostering teamwork in every player he coached.
Graphic courtesy ToBeFree.wordpress.com
Wooden’s motivational approach was based on the principle that success is not measured by wins alone but by the effort and character displayed along the journey. Wooden created a culture of excellence that led to his legendary achievements by prioritizing personal growth and teamwork.
Here are my top ten favorite John Wooden quotes:
Wooden with his team (photo courtesy The Gist)
–Be more concerned with your character than your reputation because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
–Make each day your masterpiece.
–Nothing will work unless you do.
–Be quick, but don’t hurry.
–Winning takes talent; to repeat takes character.
Swen Nater (31) and Bill Walton (31) with Wooden (photo courtesy Leading Essentially)
–Success is never final; failure is never fatal. It’s courage that counts.
–If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?
–Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best you can become.
–It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.
–Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out.
