Leadership Principles: John Wooden's Pyramid of Success
Ryan Stemen, MBA
Customer Success Executive, Indirect Tax @ Thomson Reuters | As a trusted advisor, I guide corporate tax departments in meeting their tax technology needs.
Welcome to the 2nd edition of Ryan's Leadership Lessons! ??
In this edition, we're about to embark on an inspiring journey into the enduring wisdom of a legendary figure—basketball coach John Wooden. Get ready to explore the profound teachings of Wooden's Pyramid of Success, a playbook that transcends the courts to offer invaluable insights into leadership, coaching, self-improvement, and the essential building blocks for success.
So, grab your coffee, settle in, and let's dive deep into the time-honored lessons that have shaped not just the game of basketball, but the very foundation of leadership itself.
Intro:
Here are some impressive stats to consider about the myth, legend, and famous college basketball coach nicknamed the Wizard of Westwood:
One aspect that captivated my interest in John Wooden was his extensive contribution to literature, having authored or co-authored thirteen books covering leadership, success, basketball, and coaching. In today's newsletter, our spotlight is on a specific book titled, "Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success Playbook," written by John Wooden and Jay Carty. In this book, Jay collaborates with John to delve into the significance of the success pyramid he created. The chapters of the book offer a structured approach, resembling bricks and mortar, to guide readers in constructing their own path to success while exploring Wooden's development of the Pyramid of Success. In the deep dive section below, I've outlined the five key insights gleaned from the book.
Deep Dive:
Here are 5 key takeaways from the Pyramid of Success playbook:
At the base of Wooden's pyramid lies a strong foundation of industriousness and enthusiasm. I consider this foundational level the "grit" area. It's an area where leaders start to sweat and grind their way to the next building blocks. In any team situation you have to be loyal the cause and have enthusiasm for tasks at hand. Wooden believed that industriousness, friendship, loyalty, cooperation, and enthusiasm all set the stage for success in any endeavor.
2. Building Blocks: Character Building
Moving up the pyramid, we encounter Wooden's cornerstones of character building, such as self-control, alertness, initiative, and intentness. These traits form the building blocks on top of a solid foundation, emphasizing the importance of moral character in achieving long-term success. As any leader rises through the ranks of business, nonprofits, or sports your integrity and character is what really starts to matter. Those around you start to look to you for answers and help in leading the way forward.
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3. The Middle Tiers: Condition, Skill, & Team Spirit
As we ascend, Wooden's pyramid emphasizes the significance of condition, skill and team spirit. It's important to realize success involves mental conditioning and developing a solid set of skills. Once you build upon those two blocks you can start to develop a sense of team spirit through cooperation, collaboration, and cheering on your team. Wooden knew this to be true for his own teams in college basketball. Players might have a solid foundation, but he would work to mold them via conditioning drills, building up their skills, and encouraging them to help one another.
4. The Pinnacle: Poise, Confidence & Competitive Greatness
At the pinnacle of Wooden's Pyramid of Success, we find poise and confidence. These qualities, according to Wooden, are the ultimate keys to achieving one's full potential. Leaders must maintain composure under pressure and having confidence in their abilities, in order to elevate their chances of reaching the peak of success. Once a leader has achieved all 14 building blocks they start what Wooden considers Competitive Greatness. It's hard to beat a team, a company, an organization or an individual who has put all those blocks together.
5. Real-Life Applications
Wooden's Pyramid of Success transcends the confines of the basketball court, his principles that extend into various aspects of one's career. Whether you find yourself navigating the challenges of academia, starting out as an entry-level employee, assuming the role of a team leader, stepping into your first managerial position, or even starting your own business, the integration of these time-tested principles can pave the way for both personal and professional fulfillment. Embracing Wooden's wisdom is akin to unlocking a blueprint for success, fostering a holistic approach that nurtures not only individual growth but also contributes to the overall prosperity of your professional journey.
Concluding thoughts
As highlighted by Wooden and Carty in their book, merely acquiring knowledge about the pyramid in order to become a better leader is distinct from taking action built upon its foundation. Actions, indeed, resonate louder than words. Coach Wooden's triumphant career continues to echo resoundingly, serving as a testament to the enduring impact of his principles and leadership. The legacy he left behind not only transcends his passing at the age of 99 in 2010 but also stands as an enduring source of inspiration for those who aspire to build success upon a solid ethical groundwork. I hope that my own leadership can leaves a lasting positive impact years into the future.
Further references:
Podcast about this edition of Ryan's Leadership Lessons:
Further reading:
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