Page 130 - How to Create a Winning Organization

Wooden on Leadership
112
something.” He was exaggerating, but his point was close to the
mark. I had become very good at controlling myself. Now you
know why. For me, being called a “cold fish” was a compliment—
especially if it occurred under pressure. I had learned some hard les-
sons when it came to letting my emotions take over back in my
days as a high school coach.

THE LEADER’S EXAMPLE
Emotionalism—ups and downs in moods, displays of temper-
ament—is almost always counterproductive, and at times disas-
trous. I came to understand that if my own behavior was filled with
emotionalism, I was sanctioning it for others. As leader, my be-
havior set the bounds of acceptability. And letting emotions spill
over onto the court was simply unacceptable.
The impact my example had on those under my leadership was
another compelling reason to become vigilant in controlling my
feelings and behavior. The message I sent to the team was simple:
“If you let your emotions take over, you’ll be outplayed.”
Of course, when you’re outplayed, you’ll be outscored. For them
to fully comprehend this lesson about emotional restraint, how-
ever, I had to be vigilant in controlling my
“If you let your emotions own feelings and behavior. Some evidence of
take over, you’ll be my success in this area may be that I can recall
outplayed.” only one technical foul ever being called
against me during my coaching career.
UCLA basketball teams under my leadership played in 10
games to determine a national champion. In those games where
victory was in hand with minutes to go, I reminded our players
during a final timeout: “Don’t make fools of yourself when this is
over.” I asked them to behave in a manner that didn’t bring dis-
credit upon us.