Wooden's Wisdom | Leadership Resource Center

Issue 150 - Character is Tested When a Person Receives Power


Wooden's Wisdom - Volume 3	Issue 150
Craig Impelman Speaking \| Championship Coaches \| Champion's Leadership Library Login
CHARACTER IS TESTED WHEN A PERSON RECEIVES POWER This favorite quote of Coach Wooden's was one of many he used and applied from his favorite American, Abraham Lincoln. Coach Wooden began studying Abraham Lincoln in college because President Lincoln was a man that his father Joshua Wooden had often studied and quoted. Coach wanted to learn more about how his own father had become such a great person, and he thought that by studying President Lincoln he would gain some additional insight into his dad. Much of Coach Wooden's leadership style and favorite ideas were a result of his extensive research of President Lincoln (Coach felt he had read every significant book ever written about President Lincoln). Three key elements of great character: humility, consideration for others and integrity are sometimes severely tested when a person receives power. These three character traits might be tested when we simply face adversity, but they are tested at a more intense level when we receive power, because maintaining these qualities when we have power requires self discipline. It is much like the idea that true character is what you do when you know no one will know what you did. The boss will usually be humble and courteous to his boss, but will he or she have that same humility and consideration for the people he or she supervises if it is not required? Coach Wooden often commented that he admired President Lincoln because he never lost his common man touch. As has been well documented, Coach Wooden had the same humility and consideration for others whether he was dealing with the President of the United States or a custodian that he encountered during a road trip with his basketball team. With power often comes additional material wealth and recognition, which is easy to become attached to. When a leader has to make a decision knowing that if he or she acts with integrity it may cost him or her much or all of his or her material wealth or recognition, it is a true test of character. Coach believed that a leader’s most powerful tool is his or her example. The leader who has power but maintains their humility, consideration of others and integrity is likely to inspire the same qualities in the people he or she supervises. The waterfall of character that a leader starts throughout an organization can be very positive or very destructive. The positive waterfall requires great character with great power; not an easy task, but a worthwhile one. Joshua Wooden created this positive character waterfall for his son John. In one way or another we will have that same opportunity for someone else as well. Yours in Coaching, Craig Impelman www.woodenswisdom.com Twitter: @woodenswisdom	COACH'S Favorite Poetry AND PROSE I SHALL NOT PASS THIS WAY AGAIN (Part Two) O God, forgive That I now live As if I might, sometime, return To bless the weary ones that yearn For help and comfort every day,--- For there be such along the way. O God, forgive that I have seen The beauty only, have not been Awake to sorrow such as this; That I have drunk the cup of bliss Remembering not that those there be Who drink the dregs of misery. I love the beauty of the scene, Would roam again o'er fields so green; But since I may not, let me spend My strength for others to the end,--- For those who tread on rock and stone, And bear their burdens all alone, Who loiter not in leafy bowers, Nor hear the birds nor pluck the flowers. A larger kindness give to me, A deeper love and sympathy; Then, O, one day May someone say--- Remembering a lessened pain--- "Would she could pass this way again." Eva Rose York
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