Issue 741 - Politeness and Kindness Creates Competitive Goodness


Wooden's Wisdom - Volume 13	Issue 741
Craig Impelman Speaking \| Championship Coaches \| Champion's Leadership Library Login
POLITENESS AND KINDNESS CREATES COMPETITIVE GOODNESS John Wooden Video Clip (61 sec.): Coach Wooden is asked: "If you could say one thing to Americas leaders today what would it be?" When we are polite and kind to everybody we meet, we can achieve competitive goodness. George Washington understood this. Long before he became the first president of the United States, George Washington carefully studied and practiced what came to be known as The Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. Written as a school exercise when he was a teenager, these rules were not about appearances or social class. They were about daily behaviors, how a person speaks, listens, treats others, manages emotions, and carries themselves in public and private life. Historians agree that Washington did not merely copy these rules—he lived them. Over time, these small, consistent behaviors helped shape the character of a man trusted to lead a nation. Here are a few examples Washington believed mattered deeply: Every action in company ought to be with some sign of respect to those present. Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of another, though he were your enemy. Use no reproachful language against anyone, neither curses nor revilings. Speak not injurious words, neither in jest nor earnest. Speak no evil of the absent, for it is unjust. Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience. These are habits of politeness, kindness, restraint, humility, and respect—small actions practiced consistently. Aristotle famously taught that: "We are what we repeatedly do." When Coach Wooden created his Pyramid of Success, he identified 15 habits—not outcomes—that could lead to what he called competitive greatness. But competitive greatness was never Coach Wooden’s primary goal. He often said that the most important word in the dictionary is love. When asked how he wished to be remembered, he replied simply, "As a person who was considerate of others." We often talk about Competitive Greatness. It is worthwhile and at times a difficult to achieve goal. Competitive Greatness Being at your best when your best is required Performing under pressure Relentless preparation Sacrificing for the team But there is another standard that is always available to everyone. My friend Sam Lagana coined this phrase while creating a John Wooden Character Program for the John R. Wooden Award & Foundation. I think it is wonderful, he calls it: Competitive Goodness Treating everyone with respect Speaking without malice Showing patience and self-control Being considerate, especially when it is inconvenient Competitive Greatness can be difficult to achieve. It requires talent, opportunity, discipline, and timing. Competitive Goodness is different. It costs nothing. It requires no permission. It is available in every interaction, every day. Treating people kindly is good character. Competitive Goodness is a noble goal, and it is easy for all of us to achieve. Click here for personal development exercise: Issue 741. Click here for Printable Poetry: Issue 741. Yours in Coaching, Craig Impelman www.woodenswisdom.com Follow @woodenswisdom	COACH'S FAVORITE POETRY AND PROSE God Make My Life a Little Light God make my life a little light Within the world to glow; A little flame that burneth bright Wherever I may go. God make my life a little flower That giveth joy to all, Content to bloom in native bower Although the place be small. God make my life a little song That comforteth the sad, That helpeth others to be strong, And makes the singer glad. God make my life a little staff Whereon the weak may rest, That so what strength and health I have May serve my neighbours best. Maltida Edwards (1836-1919)
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