Page 158 - How to Create a Winning Organization

Wooden on Leadership
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sport, for example, that might create an incremental advantage.
While the specifics may be small, it is no small task. Success, not
the devil, is in the details.
A word of caution: Balance is very important when it comes to
allocating time to these issues. To maintain balance, a leader must
be very well organized, establish productive priorities, and allocate
the appropriate amount of time and attention to each of the many
details that is deemed relevant.
Of course, judicious delegation is necessary, but ultimately the
leader is the one delegated with responsibility for the welfare of
the team. Balance is crucial in this regard. Losing it can be fatal.
For example, some years back there was a prominent basketball
coach who decided that the free throw—making it—was the sin-
gle most important factor when it came to winning or losing
games. Consequently, he set out to have his players master every
detail required for shooting a free throw. The team practiced free
throws in a manner that was disproportionate to other important
aspects of the game.

PERFECTION OF DETAILS MUST NOT COME
AT THE EXPENSE OF EQUILIBRIUM

Balance and moderation are most essential to your organiza-
tion’s strength and survival. The most effective leaders focus
on the right details in a balanced way. If you are engaged in a
complex business, enlist the help of others to ensure that de-
tails are executed properly. (Of course, always remember this
detail: Just because you’ve delegated something doesn’t mean
it got done.)