Page 269 - How to Create a Winning Organization

Lessons from My Notebook
My message sounded an alarm; specifically: “Don’t assume that 251
past success will happen again in the future.” I wanted each player
to be very aware that UCLA’s two recent national championships
did not guarantee them anything in the coming season. The cham-
pionships belonged to previous teams—not them. They needed to
create their own identity, to work very hard and perhaps win their
own championships.
This message—an admonition—was delivered verbally at vari-
ous times in various ways. It was my attempt to help the players
avoid overconfidence and complacency—the infection of success.
It is an infection that is often fatal.
I knew from my own experience as a player that getting to the
top was tough. Staying there was also tough, because we tend to
let down, relax, and rest on our laurels when a little success comes
our way.
Past achievements for any leader or organization will occur again
in the future only with equal, or greater, effort. The leader whose
teams achieve success must work hard to eliminate complacency
among those in the organization. Otherwise, initial success is un-
likely to become long-term success. This note—a reminder of the
message I would repeat over and over to the team—was an attempt
to inoculate them against the infection of success.

TWO LISTS WITH ONE GOAL: IMPROVEMENT
The lists I created over the years dealt with everything from avoid-
ing blisters to making jump shots. I was concerned with the phys-
ical mechanics of the game as well as the emotions and mental part
of it.
Here are two lists, one entitled “Coaching Methods,” the other
called “Coaching—Important Principles to Keep in Mind.” In