Page 224 - How to Create a Winning Organization

Wooden on Leadership
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So, despite the fact that UCLA was undefeated at that
point in the season, 20–0, Denny and I convinced him to in-
stall the 3–2 zone defense for a series up at Oregon.
UCLA won the first game against the University of Ore-
gon, 75–58, but the next night, using the same 3–2 zone
against Oregon State, we got beaten, 78–65, and it was ap-
parent the new system wasn’t all we thought it might be.
That was the last time we brought up the 3–2 zone defense.
But Coach Wooden had listened and given it—and us—a
chance. He wasn’t afraid to make a change. And when it did-
n’t work, there were no recriminations. He moved on with-
out making us feel we had led him down the wrong path.
He did not want “yes men” around him. We were encour-
aged to argue our points, knowing he’d come back at us
strong with his own opinions. That was his way of testing
how much we believed in what we were telling him and how
much we knew about it.
For example, we’d debate the pivot—what was the best way
to do it—for 45 minutes during a morning meeting. But he
listened with an open mind, let us contribute—insisted on it.
During those meetings, we didn’t just sit and take notes. He
wanted interaction, ideas back and forth. And he got it. And,
of course, he taught us to pay attention and teach details—
the little things, like the correct way to pivot.
Those little things that got a lot of attention are one of the
secrets to his great strength, namely, organization. We planned
practices down to the exact minute.
He had us address the team before games and made sure
the assistant coaches talked to the players in the huddle dur-
ing time-outs. He was very inclusive and gave us both au-
thority and respect.