Something I wanted to share with you that landed in my inbox earlier and in its simplicity captures more about leadership than many books written on the subject. Leadership is not something you are born with, it is something you do to people, either well or abysmally. We all have sour memories of how it felt when someone did it badly and we may be privileged enough to know someone who really inspires us in this regard. After all, its much easier to point to who is a good or bad leader, than it is pinpointing what it is they do or don't do that makes us say that.
However, John Wooden may be able to help us. He is generally regarded as the nation's greatest basketball coach. His UCLA teams during the 1960s and 1970s won 10 NCAA men's basketball national championships and set records for consecutive victories. But since retiring in 1975, the 97-year-old coach has gained fame as a philosopher and motivator.
[From LA Times]
Wooden sat down with The Times and offered up 10 tips -- one for each of the NCAA basketball championships his players won at UCLA -- for how business owners can become better leaders.
1. Listen.
One thing that is often overlooked in leadership is the ability to listen. Listening is so important to those under your supervision.
2. Care.
Another very important part of leadership is to make those under your supervision feel that you care for them -- not just for the job they are doing for you, but you really care for them personally. You just can't tell them you do that, you have to show it.
While some roles aren't as big or in the forefront as others, they are still very important. I used to use this analogy: It is like having a powerful car. Now the engine, like an Alcindor [now called Kareem Abdul-Jabbar], who played for me, that's powerful. Here's another fellow who is just a wheel. And there is another fellow who is just a nut that holds the wheel on. You have to have them all. You must make every person feel that they are needed.
3. Recognize.
When I was teaching in high school in basketball, for example, [I taught that] my players must never score without thanking someone. Don't run over and shake their hand but look at them and give them a little sign or something of appreciation. Everybody likes to have a pat on the back.
4. Prepare.
[Managers should be aware of] preparation for whatever their job is, little or big, preparation is so important. Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. You must not put things off.
5. Be industrious.
Nothing can be accomplished without work. You've got to work hard. If you are looking for the short cut, if you are looking for the easy way, if you are looking for the trick to get things done, you might get them done. But you are not adding strength, you are not building.
6. Have enthusiasm.
If you don't enjoy what you are doing you are not going to be able to give it the industriousness that you should have. You must have that to inspire others to do their best.
7. Be patient.
Good things take time. And that's the way it should be. We don't want it that way but that's the way it is. I think that is a very important thing that a leader must get across to those under his supervision.
8. Have confidence.
You must believe in yourself. If you don't have confidence in yourself you can't expect those under your supervision to act with much confidence.
9. Don't fear failure.
Have initiative but don't be afraid of failure. We are all going to fail at times because we are all imperfect. When I had assistants, I always wanted them never to be afraid to make a suggestion. We don't know a thing we don't learn from somebody else in one way or another. If you do agree [with their suggestion] and use it and it works, be sure that they are the one that gets the credit, not you. Now if it doesn't work, you take the blame because you made that decision to use it.
10. Win respect.
You have to have the respect of those under your supervision. You can't obtain that respect unless you are honest with them and they can depend upon you. Don't try to sell them a bill of goods or you will lose all respect.
Some very good rules to live your life by. Enough said.


ten points that you really know that work in the best way, specially the last point, win respect, is to important not only for work better, also to increase your self-esteem.
Posted by: xl pharmacy | December 09, 2011 at 18:09
I study this picture and don't fully understand it. I presume it is very familiar to muslim men and women.
Posted by: Arcteryx Jackets | December 06, 2011 at 06:50
There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun.
Picasso, Spanish painter
Posted by: outletmoncleroutlet | December 02, 2011 at 08:30
When one loves one's art no service seems too hard.
O.Henry, American novelist
Posted by: canadagoosejakke | December 02, 2011 at 08:24
For any folks invested in more and better resident contribution, that is a knock back, i believe. But strangely enough, the newest one-pager Can involve many responsibilities around consultation.
Posted by: Belstaff Jackets | November 25, 2011 at 03:13
Replica Handbags:http://www.replicabagsell.com
ブランド激安通販店:http://www.buyonjp.com
ブランドバッグ:http://www.shoponjp.com
ブランド腕時計:http://www.brandwatchjp.com
Cheap Christian Louboutin shoes:http://www.soishop.com
chaussures femmes:http://www.chermall.com
ブランド 腕時計:http://www.mamarts.com
Posted by: D | August 23, 2011 at 13:27
John Wooden is a hero. I was turn on to him by Ryan Blair. I have one of the books written about Wooden's philosophies on life and leadership. You pretty much bullet pointed the book in your post. Good contribution.
Posted by: Oklahoma City Gold Buyers | August 05, 2011 at 17:01
A leader is someone who grabs the attention of others and the road to leadership is one of obstacles. In addition to a charismatic quality a leader needs to take into account many qualities, as categorized here in this post.
Posted by: Sell Gold Oklahoma city | May 06, 2011 at 19:22
It's really good and funhttp://www.tiffany-jp.jp
Posted by: Tiffany Rings | January 21, 2011 at 02:59
It's really good and funhttp://www.tiffany-jp.jp
Posted by: Tiffany Rings | January 21, 2011 at 02:33
The mind, sharp but not broad, sticks at every point but does not move.O(∩_∩)O~
Posted by: ugg outlet | December 25, 2010 at 08:40
Perhaps this is one of the most interesting blogs that I have ever seen. Interesting article, Funny comment. Keep it up! http://www.jerseysonline.co
Posted by: leiqiong | December 08, 2010 at 06:44
i love you post
Posted by: taobao | November 11, 2010 at 07:19
I wish you great blessings and love.*
Posted by: coach outlet | November 05, 2010 at 05:58
Everything comes to him who waits
Posted by: christian louboutin | November 04, 2010 at 02:14
Your dreams are waiting to be realized.
Posted by: christian louboutin | November 03, 2010 at 00:42
how are you?
Posted by: ugg | October 25, 2010 at 07:47
Love all of them - So pretty! And I never saw the ones you got in paris so that was a nice treat!...
aciphex
Posted by: aciphex | October 14, 2010 at 14:56
Love all of them - So pretty! And I never saw the ones you got in paris so that was a nice treat!
Posted by: Retro Jordans | August 27, 2010 at 01:21
Leadership is something that everone needs to find on earth. Now I can say that I love reading books about that same topic. Can you recommend some book for me, please?
Posted by: Viagra Without Prescription | July 30, 2010 at 22:12
Extremly beautiful article. In order to create a better tomorrow, all of us should be more harder and cherish the time we have.
Posted by: Nike Shox CL | July 01, 2010 at 03:48