Page 248 - How to Create a Winning Organization

Wooden on Leadership
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come the first team in college basketball history to win three
championships in a row. Then the fickle finger of fate pointed
at us.
Injuries, sickness, and all kinds of stuff were hitting us. We
didn’t even win our conference title in 1966—we had a 10–4
record and weren’t even eligible to play in the NCAA tourna-
ment and defend our title.
Through all the misfortune I never heard a single com-
plaint or excuse from Coach Wooden. He fought hard and
kept telling us to keep working, never give up, and do our
best. And we did in spite of the fickle finger of fate.
We were winners in 1966 because of that.
In retrospect, I believe it was probably fantastic for me as a
person that we didn’t win that third consecutive national
championship. It showed me what life is really like, what fate
can do—why you can’t base your success just on results.
Of course, this is what I had been taught by my coach.
More than anyone I’ve ever known, he comes closest to prac-
ticing what he preaches. He was so consistent in what he said
and did in both principles and standards. In fact, I began to
think it was normal behavior in a leader. But it’s not normal.
Holding to those high standards and principles is rare out in
the world.
At the end of my four years at UCLA I still needed addi-
tional credits to graduate. Coach Wooden was all over me to
make sure I came back for that fifth year to earn my degree in
Economics.
Even though my playing days were over at UCLA, he cared
a great deal about my welfare. “This is very important for you,
Kenneth. Let’s get that diploma.” And he kept checking in on
me during the year to make sure I got it. And I did.