The Two Groups of Three

Many, many, many years ago, I picked up a book that told a story of a man who changed the face of college basketball.? I would love to tell you that it was about a man that had such great talents on the court that he would be revered for decades.? It was not.? I would love to tell you that it was about a man who had such fiery passion, that he could “up coach” his players to compete at a level they never thought possible.? It was not.? It is a story about a man who held on to his core values with a steel vice.? It is about a man who knew the absolute bright line between good and bad. It is about a man who valued integrity, honesty, and most of all, his word.

As the story goes, this man had finished his own basketball career and had ventured into coaching.? His early forays had brought him some modest success.? This success had brought attention to him from some of the leading teams of the day.? When it was time to make a change, he was interviewed by several schools that wanted him on board.? His “dream school” had all but assured him he would have an offer, they just needed to get approval from their Board.? His contact was going to call him no later than 6:00pm to confirm the position was his.

That night the clock rolled by 6:00pm with no call. 7:00pm, no call.? 8:00pm, a call finally came.? It was, however, not from his dream school.? It was his second choice on the list.? (Communication these days was not what it is today.)? This coach assumed that his first offer had fallen through and that he should take the next best offer.? He did.? That night he made a verbal commitment to coach at UCLA, a school nearly 2,000 miles away from his home, and far from his dream job.?

Several hours later, he received a second call.? His dream job offer had indeed come through.? His contact had been held up in a snowstorm and he was unable to get to a phone before 6:00pm.? Surely, he would call back UCLA and explain the situation and take his dream job? He did not. After all, he gave UCLA his word.

The man I am talking about is John Wooden.? One of the greatest college coaches of all time.? With 10 NCAA titles to his name, and countless NBA players who once played for him.? One of the precepts he took through his life was specifically laid out in his story.? It is something I have taught my children at length and hope it carries them through their lives.? Here is Coach Wooden’s saying.? He called it his “two groups of three.”:

1. Never Lie 1. Don't Whine
2. Never Cheat 2. Don't Complain
3. Never Steal 3. Don't Make Excuses

Never Lie

Imagine a world where you could take people at their word.? Imagine a world where people meant what they said. Imagine you could rely just on the words that were spoken.? Imagine a contract that is so strong that paper is not required.

Never Cheat

Imagine a world where the foundational rules are understood to be unchangeable.? Imagine rules, if were broken, the consequences would be held and accepted by the responsible party.? Imagine a self-corrective system so strong, that adjudication is merely a formality.

Never Steal

Imagine a world where one that steals, knows they are committing a crime against a creator. Imagine a world where they know that this takes away some of their humanity.? Imagine a world where when someone takes the work of others, there is a self-correcting force.

Don’t Whine

Those that whine are victims.? Those that whine do not want a better future, they only want to be recognized for their circumstance.? Imagine a world without whiners.

Don’t Complain

Those that complain are faultless.? Those that complain know that it is always someone else’s actions that put them where they are.? They want to burden someone else with a problem that is impacting them.? They do not look to a solution.? Imagine a world without complainers.

Don’t Make Excuses

Those that make excuses are confident there is a reason for failure.? The world is imperfect with much out of our direct control. Blame can be laid on the wind, rain, and snow.? It can be blamed on my boss, my customer, or society. An excuse is a reason something did not happen, with the intent to not take responsibility. Failure only occurs when someone stops trying. ?Imagine a world with no excuses.

In the modern world we live in, the Two Groups of Three are broken almost every second.? Imagine a golden offer comes your way.? The job of your dreams.? You look your boss right in the eye and lie, because it will get you there sooner.? Imagine the opportunity you just gave up.

John Wooden didn’t need to imagine.? He lived the Two Groups of Three every day of his life.