Even if you have never been into sports most business professionals have heard of and admired Coach John Wooden. On June 4Th 2010 the world lost this great basketball coaches and wise leader at the age of 99. Fortunately we still have access to his ideas and strategies that can help any business owner succeed.
Coach Wooden was known as a master strategist and motivator. However, probably his best attributes was his ability to demonstrate what real leadership is all about a a very high level for an extremely long time.
John Wooden had taken the time to boil down what made success and clearly explained it using the Wooden Pyramid of Success. In this model Coach Wooden explained that success is possible, but it does take work and it does require being aware of certain aspects of our lives.
Here are just a few of the ideas that we can all benefit from.
Industriousness: “Success travels in the company of very hard work. There is no trick, no easy way.” Certainly this is true today as ever before. It is very hard work indeed and for sure there is no trick or easy way. Sitting in front of a PC and firing off emails or talking on the phone with friends for several hours a day and thinking you have had a “good day” is not how it is going to happen for most people. Our research shows that expanding your personal and professional network is by far the most potent leverage point.
Enthusiasm: “Your energy and enjoyment drive and dedication will stimulate and greatly inspire others.” Mostly importantly, it will inspire you when you are doing the heavy lifting, and for sure, it will make a prospect sit up and take notice.
Intentness: “Stay the course. When thwarted, try again — harder, smarter. Persevere relentlessly.” Yes it is tough and tiring, but every ounce of effort brings you one step closer to success.
Poise: “Be yourself. Don’t be thrown off by events whether good or bad.” The success you have had in your career to date was gained because of the skills you brought to the situation and organization, not because you were trying to be someone other than yourself.
Confidence: “The strongest steel is well-founded self-belief. It is earned, not given.” You have earned the right to have self-confidence! It isn’t like you don’t have a track record that demonstrates the things that you have done to bring success to the challenges you have faced.
If you would like to explore more of the wisdom of Coach Wooden and his pyramid of success model, you can add his book to your summer reading list,” Coach Wooden’s Pyramid of Success: Building Blocks For a Better Life”.
For less than $10 you will gain tremendous insight of a successful leader that was around for almost a century.