"... the basics of success in leadership, in my opinion, don't change much, especially when it comes to the connection between the identification and perfection of the little things and the achievement of those big things we strive for." Later on Coach Wooden sums this up nicely by saying, "Little things make big things happen." In essence, if we focus on doing the little things well the big things will take care of themselves.
Question:In the position you may hold this coming semester, what are 5 "little things" you can focus on?
Friday, July 24, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Wolf Pack
Without unity even the best organizations or teams will fall. It is vital that we remain selfless and work toward common goals rather than individual glory.
"Effectiveness and productivity are most likely diminished when you are plagued with individuals who view your team as secondary to their own interests." (p. 126)
The best way to defeat this mentality is to have a team of individuals that are eager to share the glory and slow to take the credit.
I'm actually going to take the question for this chapter directly from this chapter...
On page 124 Coach Wooden asks, "What is the impact of a negligible producer on other team members?" Think of a negligible producer as someone who doesn't contribute as much as they could to the team whether because they are focused too much on themselves, are lazy, or whatever the case may be.
"The strength of the pack is the wolf; and the strength of the wolf is the pack" Rudyard Kipling
"Effectiveness and productivity are most likely diminished when you are plagued with individuals who view your team as secondary to their own interests." (p. 126)
The best way to defeat this mentality is to have a team of individuals that are eager to share the glory and slow to take the credit.
I'm actually going to take the question for this chapter directly from this chapter...
On page 124 Coach Wooden asks, "What is the impact of a negligible producer on other team members?" Think of a negligible producer as someone who doesn't contribute as much as they could to the team whether because they are focused too much on themselves, are lazy, or whatever the case may be.
"The strength of the pack is the wolf; and the strength of the wolf is the pack" Rudyard Kipling
Friday, July 3, 2009
"Cultivate Consistency"
Ok, so this is one of my favorite, as well as one of the most challenging chapters. I'm going to put the quote and the question together again this week...
"The hallmark of successful leadership is consistently maximum performance. Emotionalism opens a leader to inconsistency. Seek intensity coupled with emotional discipline." (p. 109) Coach Wooden later goes on to say, "I insisted on that same control and intensity during practice - especially practice." (p. 113)
As leaders those around you will look to and follow your example. Whether your path is smooth or littered with seemingly insurmountable obstacles strive to maintain a consistent and controlled intensity and perform at the highest level you are capable of.
Question...We all have been on or know of teams that have won games they should have lost and teams that have lost games they should have won... what would you say is the usually the cause of this let down and how can it be avoided?
Strive for excellence... Always
Chris
"The hallmark of successful leadership is consistently maximum performance. Emotionalism opens a leader to inconsistency. Seek intensity coupled with emotional discipline." (p. 109) Coach Wooden later goes on to say, "I insisted on that same control and intensity during practice - especially practice." (p. 113)
As leaders those around you will look to and follow your example. Whether your path is smooth or littered with seemingly insurmountable obstacles strive to maintain a consistent and controlled intensity and perform at the highest level you are capable of.
Question...We all have been on or know of teams that have won games they should have lost and teams that have lost games they should have won... what would you say is the usually the cause of this let down and how can it be avoided?
Strive for excellence... Always
Chris
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Love and Leadership
Once again I am going to streamline things and incorporate my question for chapter five in with my favorite quote...
"A leader in sports, business or any other field of endeavor should possess and provide the same qualities inherant in a good parent: character, consistency, dependability, accountability, knowledge, good judgement, selflessness, respect, courage, discipline, fairness, and structure. And while all these will make you a good leader they will not make you a great leader. For that, one additional quality - perhaps the most important of all - is necessary... I believe you must have love in your heart for those under your leadership." (p 80)
Ok, so my question is this: Do you agree with this statement (that love is the most important quality)? If yes, why? If no, then what do you think is the most important and why??
Personally I think that love is very important, but I also think that love without discipline, or love without selflessness, or love without character, or love without any number of the other qualities is pointless and hypocritical. So, I guess in a way I'd agree that Love is the most important because if you genuinely love those under your leadership you'll want what'sbest for them and all those other qualities will take care of themselves.... What do you think??
"A leader in sports, business or any other field of endeavor should possess and provide the same qualities inherant in a good parent: character, consistency, dependability, accountability, knowledge, good judgement, selflessness, respect, courage, discipline, fairness, and structure. And while all these will make you a good leader they will not make you a great leader. For that, one additional quality - perhaps the most important of all - is necessary... I believe you must have love in your heart for those under your leadership." (p 80)
Ok, so my question is this: Do you agree with this statement (that love is the most important quality)? If yes, why? If no, then what do you think is the most important and why??
Personally I think that love is very important, but I also think that love without discipline, or love without selflessness, or love without character, or love without any number of the other qualities is pointless and hypocritical. So, I guess in a way I'd agree that Love is the most important because if you genuinely love those under your leadership you'll want what'sbest for them and all those other qualities will take care of themselves.... What do you think??
Monday, June 1, 2009
Walk the Walk...
For this week I think I am going to combine my favorite quote and the "Question Of The Week" into the same post. So, all you need do is list your own favorite quote from the chapter and answer the question in the same "comment".
Hopefully that makes sense...
"Actions trump words, and your values must be visible if they are to have an impact on those you lead... Your behavior as a leader - WHAT YOU DO - creates the environment in which the team functions." (pp 74-75)
It took me too long to realize that those I was striving to lead followed best when they saw in me an example worth following. Through HS and into college I thought that because of my position as long as I told people what needed to be done they would take my word for it and do it. Sometimes they did, but the more I was put into a position of leadership the more I realized the truth in the old adage "Your actions speak louder than your words". It was amazing to me to see that if I took the initiative and did what needed to be done to the best of my ability, those I was leading would usually do the same. However if I would merely tell those I was leading to do what needed to be done, they would only contribute the amount of effort they saw me putting in.
What I said had some impact, and what you say will too. Words can be powerful motivators, but without the actions to back them they are powerful for only a very short time. To have a lasting impact (ie throughout the season, or throughout the year) your actions must be something others can look to as an example.
So that brings me to my question...
In whatever arena you're going to be participating (you may have to answer this differently if you are involved in multiple venues) 1. What are two or three SPECIFIC GOALS you want those you are leading to achieve, and 2. what are some SPECIFIC ACTIONS that will help guide those you are leading to those goals?
Have a good week!
Chris
Hopefully that makes sense...
"Actions trump words, and your values must be visible if they are to have an impact on those you lead... Your behavior as a leader - WHAT YOU DO - creates the environment in which the team functions." (pp 74-75)
It took me too long to realize that those I was striving to lead followed best when they saw in me an example worth following. Through HS and into college I thought that because of my position as long as I told people what needed to be done they would take my word for it and do it. Sometimes they did, but the more I was put into a position of leadership the more I realized the truth in the old adage "Your actions speak louder than your words". It was amazing to me to see that if I took the initiative and did what needed to be done to the best of my ability, those I was leading would usually do the same. However if I would merely tell those I was leading to do what needed to be done, they would only contribute the amount of effort they saw me putting in.
What I said had some impact, and what you say will too. Words can be powerful motivators, but without the actions to back them they are powerful for only a very short time. To have a lasting impact (ie throughout the season, or throughout the year) your actions must be something others can look to as an example.
So that brings me to my question...
In whatever arena you're going to be participating (you may have to answer this differently if you are involved in multiple venues) 1. What are two or three SPECIFIC GOALS you want those you are leading to achieve, and 2. what are some SPECIFIC ACTIONS that will help guide those you are leading to those goals?
Have a good week!
Chris
Friday, May 22, 2009
STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
It is critical that you as a leader know what your strengths are so you can put them to the most effective use and your weaknesses so you can work to improve them. We will get into this more at the end of the summer and during the semester, but right now what I'd like for each of you to do is take a look at the 15 qualities that form Coach Wooden's "Pyramid of Success". From what you have read about each of these qualities and what you know about yourself try to accurately list your top five strengths and your five main weaknesses.
You may want to consider putting together a preliminary list and then taking it to a friend or someone who knows you well and will be honest with you for their input.
Everyone has strengths and everyone has weaknesses. It's nothing to be embarrassed about and putting them out in front of those you'll be working closely with next year will be extremely beneficial down the road as you begin to rely on one another and work together as a team. The purpose of this program is development, and development requires honest evaluation, so don't be shy...
Chris
You may want to consider putting together a preliminary list and then taking it to a friend or someone who knows you well and will be honest with you for their input.
Everyone has strengths and everyone has weaknesses. It's nothing to be embarrassed about and putting them out in front of those you'll be working closely with next year will be extremely beneficial down the road as you begin to rely on one another and work together as a team. The purpose of this program is development, and development requires honest evaluation, so don't be shy...
Chris
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Success
As leaders it will be important for us to have a good definition of success that you can use as a measure for your activities through out the year.
I personally like Coach Wooden's definition on page 10: "Making the complete effort to maximize your abilities, skills, and potential in whatever circumstances - good or bad - may exist"
In the next paragraph he separates this definition of success from our present cultures definition: "Sometimes the competition you face will be bigger or stronger, more experienced or better [equipped]. Regardless of the situation you face as a leader, you must believe and teach those under your leadership that success is theirs when together you summon the will to put forth EVERYTHING you have."
So at the end of the day can you win a match and be unsuccessful? Can you lose a match and come away with your head held high? The answer to both ought to be yes if your goal is giving everything you're involved in your very best effort...
Commit to excellence. Be successful.
-Chris
I personally like Coach Wooden's definition on page 10: "Making the complete effort to maximize your abilities, skills, and potential in whatever circumstances - good or bad - may exist"
In the next paragraph he separates this definition of success from our present cultures definition: "Sometimes the competition you face will be bigger or stronger, more experienced or better [equipped]. Regardless of the situation you face as a leader, you must believe and teach those under your leadership that success is theirs when together you summon the will to put forth EVERYTHING you have."
So at the end of the day can you win a match and be unsuccessful? Can you lose a match and come away with your head held high? The answer to both ought to be yes if your goal is giving everything you're involved in your very best effort...
Commit to excellence. Be successful.
-Chris
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