Wooden's Wisdom | Leadership Resource Center

Issue 699 - Friendship: "Four Keys To Communication"


Wooden's Wisdom - Volume 13	Issue 699
Craig Impelman Speaking \| Championship Coaches \| Champion's Leadership Library Login
FRIENDSHIP: "FOUR KEYS TO COMMUNICATION" John Wooden Video Clip (1 min. 52 sec.): Coach Wooden is asked: "Please share with us the poem: 'Don’t Look Back'" Coach Wooden defined friendship this way: "Comes from mutual esteem, respect, and devotion. Like marriage, it must not be taken for granted but requires a joint effort." Coach wrote that "Sincerity is a bond that makes friends." Subsequently, he changed that and wrote that: "Sincerity is a bond that keeps friends." When I think about Coach Wooden and his ability to make friends, keep friends, communicate mutual self-esteem, and inspire a joint effort, I am always inspired by how thoughtful he was in his communication with others. I think these four qualities describe Coach Wooden’s communication: Coach was truthful. His communication was honest. He did not exaggerate or act like he was a subject matter expert on anything. He began his comments on a topic by saying: "In my opinion" and ended by reminding the listener: "That there were many different ways to do things." Coach’s communication was kind. He referred to having learned this from his father. He said he never heard his father say an unkind word about anyone, and he tried to follow his example. I don’t remember ever hearing Coach proactively correct somebody else’s comments. Coach communicated what was necessary. If you asked him a question, he would answer the question you asked directly. He did not go off on a tangent. You could rely on his communication whether it was written or verbal to be clear, concise, and compelling. Coach’s communication was timely. He knew the right or wrong time to communicate anything. I think it is good advice from Coach Wooden’s example to be truthful, kind, necessary and timely in communication. I believe doing that will be helpful to make friends and keep friends Click here for personal development exercise: Issue 699. Click here for Printable Poetry: Issue 699. Yours in Coaching, Craig Impelman www.woodenswisdom.com Follow @woodenswisdom	COACH'S FAVORITE POETRY AND PROSE Don’t Quit When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, when the road you're trudging seems all uphill, when the funds are low and the debts are high, and you want to smile but you have to sigh, when care is pressing you down a bit - rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns. As everyone of us sometimes learns. And many a fellow turns about when he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow - you may succeed with another blow. Often the goal is nearer than it seems to a faint and faltering man; Often the struggler has given up when he might have captured the victor's cup; and he learned too late when the night came down, how close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out - the silver tint of the clouds of doubt, and when you never can tell how close you are, it may be near when it seems afar; so stick to the fight when you're hardest hit - it's when things seem worst, you must not quit. Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959)
For more information visit www.woodenswisdom.com