No
matter how difficult the circumstances, Coach Wooden endured to earn the title of the "Winning-est" basketball
coach of all time.
Lesson #1: Who said life was fair;
I will still make it great.
Lessons on adversity:
While Coach Wooden was growing up,
his family endured the loss of two sisters. Wooden's parents placed their faith
in God, and they “persevered”.
Later, Wooden's father lost the
family farm due to an illness that wiped out his hogs, and drought that killed
the crops. His dad, Hugh Wooden, never winced. He understood that
“blaming, cursing, hating doesn’t help you. It hurts you.”
John Wooden understood that
“whining; complaining, and excuses didn't accomplish anything.” No matter what
happens on the court or off, “what you do is more important than what
you say you’ll do.”
No matter what happens make the
best of it:
When Coach Wooden accepted the
Coaching position in 1948 for the UCLA’s Bruins the Men’s Gym was used by all
the schools other teams and was small and inadequate.
Coach Wooden did not “whine or
complain” about it. He did the very best he could with the situation he was
handed. He held practices at the Men’s Gym. For the Bruins games, Coach moved
them to larger facilities in Los Angeles - the Pan Pacific Auditorium, the Los
Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, and to other facilities.
UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion was built 17
years later in 1965.
Lesson #2: Carefully select your
words.
The words you choose to live with
are an extension of your integrity.
When John and his older brother
Maurice were in the barn messing around, “Maurice grabbed a pitchfork and
flipped a pile of manure at John’s face. John lunged at Maurice in anger and
cursed at him. Their father, had been standing nearby, but instead of
reproaching Maurice for instigating the fight, he came down on John for his
foul language.”
In the Wooden household profanity
was forbidden. Hugh never swore and “made sure John understood the severity of
his transgression. Hugh whipped” John “with a switch.” Coach said, “It
was the only time I remember him using it.” (“Wooden: A Coaches Life"
by Seth Davis)
After that lesson John never used
profanity, and he was fond of reminding other coaches that you don’t need to
use profanity to motivate players.
So what did Coach Wooden say when
he was really angry? “Goodness gracious, sakes alive!”
Lesson #3: When something goes right leaders give others the credit. Leaders accept the
blame when something goes wrong!
Coach Wooden modeled how great
leadership is “the sharing of ideas, information, creativity, responsibilities,
and tasks.” He listened carefully during his meetings with assistant coaches
for new ideas on how do something better during practice. If the idea worked he
would implement it and give the assistant coach credit for it.
When one of Coach Wooden’s
basketball players made a suggestion in private and Coach used the idea, and it
was a success, Coach would give the player credit for it.
Coach said, “The only thing not to
be shared is blame.” Leaders that are strong “accept blame, and give credit,
when deserved to others.”
In 1974 during the NCAA semifinals, the UCLA Bruins were favored to win, but lost to North Carolina State. Coach Wooden accepted “full responsibility for that game, saying that his failure to call a timeout and make adjustments was the reason for the loss.”
(“Be Quick-But Don’t Hurry” by Andrew Hill and John
Wooden)
“When a player scored in a game,
Coach encouraged him to give a nod to the teammate who had given him the pass
or set a pick for him.” (“A Game Plan for Life” by John Wooden and Don Yaeger)
Coach Wooden modeled on a daily
basis how to handle adversity to his students, coaches, family members and
friends for over 70 years. He knew life would always throw obstacles in your
path. He never “whined, complained, blamed or used profanity”. Coach made the
best of what he had, accepted blame when things went wrong and gave the credit
to others.
By following Coach Wooden’s 3
lessons for responding to adversity, you too will be able to handle any
adversity thrown your way!
Our next blog in our series on
Coach Wooden’s philosophies and teachings will focus on his foundations for
success.
Madeline Frank, Ph.D., DTM is an
award winning teacher, Amazon.com Best Selling Author, 2017 Coach Wooden
Certificate of Excellence, John Maxwell Team Member, Certified World Class
Speaking Coach, sought after speaker, business owner, and concert artist. She
helps businesses and organizations "Tune Up their Businesses". Her
innovative observations show you the blue prints necessary to improve and keep
your business successful. She writes a monthly newsletter "Madeline's
Monthly article & Musical Tips Blog" and a monthly radio show
"Madeline's One Minute Musical Radio Show". Her book "Leadership
On A Shoestring Budget" is available on Amazon or Kindle.
