Page 200 - How to Create a Winning Organization

Wooden on Leadership
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CHOOSE YOUR AWARDS CAREFULLY

Recognition for individual productivity certainly has a place in
your list of potential award categories. But it must be valued
equally with awards for “improvement,” “attitude,” “contri-
bution to the team,” and other acts that strengthen the orga-
nization. “Employee of the month” is often most effective as
a motivating tool when it recognizes behavior that, in turn, al-
lows your “top scorer” to excel.

members must be great, each in her or his own particular way. All
members must fulfill the requirements of their own specific jobs,
each striving to give those jobs the best they have. It is the respon-
sibility of the leader to teach and instill this desire.

GREATNESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Swen Nater understood that his greatness came in practice rather
than in games. He served his team as a backup center behind the
significant skills of Bill Walton. This positioning allowed Bill to
sharpen his abilities in practice against a center, Swen, who was also
tall and talented. (Swen could have been a starter on almost any
other team in the country.)
Before Swen joined us, I clearly explained to him what specific
role he would play on the team and how valuable it would be to
the team. He took on the task, eagerly accepted his role, and helped
UCLA win two national championships.
Was Bill Walton greater than Swen Nater? It’s a question that has
little relevance to me in the context of leadership and team produc-
tivity. Both young men attained greatness in performing their spe-