Page 142 - How to Create a Winning Organization
P. 142
Wooden on Leadership
124
Ultimately, every member of the UCLA Bruins basketball team
was involved to one degree or another in every point scored and
every shot blocked. And while I didn’t always succeed, I tried hard
to make that fact understood and appreciated by all those I allowed
to join our group. I say more on this subject in Chapter 12, “Make
Greatness Attainable by All.”
“Ten hands” was one of the most important concepts—
principles—that a player or employee can be taught. It was also one
that frequently required some diligent teaching on my part. It
began with my own firm belief that a player who made the team
great is better than a great player.
It was important that those who help the superstar become a su-
perstar share in the accolades felt important and strongly connected
to the team’s welfare and success. Otherwise, jealousy, envy, back-
biting, and backsliding are inevitable. All members of your orga-
nization need to feel their jobs make a difference, that they are
connected to the success of their team.
If there are those under your leadership who do little or nothing
for your organization, then you must ask yourself some uncom-
fortable, but necessary, questions:
Why is that person in our organization if he or she is not
contributing?
What is the impact of a negligible producer on other team
members?
What can we do to enhance that person’s contribution?
