Wooden's Wisdom | Leadership Resource Center

Issue 282 - Just being true to our self doesn't make us a person of integrity


Wooden's Wisdom - Volume 6	Issue 282
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JUST BEING TRUE TO OUR SELF DOESN'T MAKE US A PERSON OF INTEGRITY Click here to watch Coach John Wooden video clip. This cautionary idea from Coach Wooden is a great piece of advice. It balances the importance of having a strong, unflinching purpose (true to yourself) while making sure that the purpose is a good one (integrity). The word integrity means: adherence to moral principles; honesty; the quality of being unimpaired; soundness; unity; wholeness. It comes from the Latin word integritas which means: complete; perfect. In his book, The Essential Wooden: A Lifetime of Lessons on Leaders and Leadership, with Steve Jamison, Coach asks a fundamental question: A robber may believe it is right to rob; a politician may believe it is right to accept favors for influence; a man may believe the end justifies the means; all tyrants believe they are right. What is right? This question is one you must ask and answer. To what should you be true? For John Wooden, the answer was simple: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Coach most admired people who regarded others as more important than themselves. In his book Coach Wooden‘s Pyramid of Success, with Jay Carty, Coach Wooden said: I wanted my players to become men of integrity. When we have integrity, we are not going to do anything that will be demeaning to anybody else, either on or off the court. Coach put it this way: "Never let ambition cause you to sacrifice your integrity. At the same time, you'll never reach a serious goal unless you have the intention to do so." Warren Buffett gave great advice on this topic with regards to hiring people: "Integrity, intelligence and energy: hire someone without the first and the other two will kill you." For Coach Wooden, everything must be balanced: Be strong willed but considerate. Be consistent but open minded. Be quick but not in a hurry. Be direct but be diplomatic. Be competitve but be courteous. Have a strong desire to win but don’t be dejected if you lose. Be aggressive but under control. Be passionate but be loving. Does your personal philosophy of being true to yourself always include helping others? Click here for personal development exercise. Click here for Printable Poetry. Yours in Coaching, Craig Impelman www.woodenswisdom.com Follow @woodenswisdom	COACH'S FAVORITE POETRY AND PROSE The Thousandth Man One man in a thousand, Solomon says, Will stick more close than a brother. And it's worthwhile seeking him half your days If you find him before the other. Nine nundred and ninety-nine depend On what the world sees in you, But the Thousandth man will stand your friend With the whole round world agin you. 'Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show Will settle the finding for 'ee. Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em go By your looks, or your acts, or your glory. But if he finds you and you find him. The rest of the world don't matter; For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim With you in any water. You can use his purse with no more talk Than he uses yours for his spendings, And laugh and meet in your daily walk As though there had been no lendings. Nine hundred and ninety-nine of 'em call For silver and gold in their dealings; But the Thousandth Man he's worth 'em all, Because you can show him your feelings. His wrong's your wrong, and his right's your right, In season or out of season. Stand up and back it in all men's sight -- With that for your only reason! Nine hundred and ninety-nine can't bide The shame or mocking or laughter, But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side To the gallows-foot -- and after! Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936)
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