Wooden's Wisdom | Leadership Resource Center

Issue 685 - "Friendship and Teamwork"


Wooden's Wisdom - Volume 13	Issue 685
Craig Impelman Speaking \| Championship Coaches \| Champion's Leadership Library Login
"FRIENDSHIP AND TEAMWORK" John Wooden Video Clip (42 sec.): Coach Wooden is asked: "What was one of your most difficult decisions to make as a coach?" It is beneficial when members of a team are also friends. This is an ideal situation, but it doesn’t always exist. On some of Coach Wooden’s national championship teams there were a few key players who didn’t get along great off the court, and on occasion different factions, within a team that went their different ways after practice and training table was over. On all ten national championship teams, Coach Wooden made sure these diverse groups of players and personalities were great teammates on the court. The ability to make this happen in the workplace and athletics is a great quality for any leader to possess. When the coach can do this, "great teammates don’t have to be great friends." In his book "Wooden on Leadership" Coach expanded on this topic: "The two qualities of Friendship so important for a leader to possess and instill in team members are respect and camaraderie. To me these are the most noteworthy characteristics of true Friendship as it pertains to leadership. Camaraderie is a spirit of goodwill that exists between individuals and members of a group—comrades-in-arms. Think of how much you’ll give when asked to do so by someone you respect and with whom you share camaraderie. You’ll give plenty—everything you’ve got. Those under your leadership will do the same if you show them this part of yourself." If you played for John Wooden: You always had to acknowledge a good pass with a quick point to your teammate. You were never allowed to criticize a teammate (doing so could get you thrown out of practice). You always had to be considerate and courteous with all teammates. By insisting on these things, Coach Wooden created an environment where respect for your teammates was demonstrated irrespective of your personal feelings. They all wanted to win. Camaraderie and respect flourished! Are you trying to create that atmosphere? Click here for personal development exercise: Issue 685. Click here for Printable Poetry: Issue 685. Yours in Coaching, Craig Impelman www.woodenswisdom.com Follow @woodenswisdom	COACH'S FAVORITE POETRY AND PROSE A Place Called Success The road to success is not straight. There is a curve called Failure, A loop called Confusion, Speed bumps called Friends, Red lights called Enemies, Caution lights called Family. You will have flat tires called Jobs, But if you have a spare called Determination, An engine called Perseverance, A driver called Will Power, You will make it to a place called Success
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