Page 256 - How to Create a Winning Organization

Wooden on Leadership
238
At UCLA I began each season with introductory remarks in a
room that served as a “classroom.” During that meeting I made a
conscientious attempt to let everyone in attendance know what I
expected of them and what they could expect from me. Among
other things, I reviewed my philosophy of success and how you
achieve it.
Rafer Johnson, a starter on the varsity team in 1959 and winner
of an Olympic gold medal in 1960, said that my opening remarks
gave him the confidence that he could succeed as a member of the
Bruins. And he did.
While my speeches at the start of the season were never
recorded or written down, a few years ago the Indiana Basketball
Hall of Fame asked me to approximate what I said for a 3-D
video presentation at their excellent facility in New Castle.
What I wrote down and recorded for them is included here. Ob-
viously, my remarks changed a bit from year to year, but this is a
pretty good example of the basic tone and philosophy that I pre-
sented at the start of a new season at UCLA.
I think it’s important that everyone in an organization be on the
same page. And, from my perspective it’s the leader who decides
what that page will be. Here’s a page from my speech to the play-
ers at the start of a new season.