Page 44 - How to Create a Winning Organization

Wooden on Leadership
26
BE A FRIEND AND STILL BE PROFESSIONAL

Camaraderie is commendable—even necessary—with your di-
rect reports, but do not play favorites, and do not allow your
preferences to cloud your judgment. Respect and the spirit of
goodwill that it engenders further strengthen your bond with
those you lead. Friendship, as I have defined it, does not pre-
clude professionalism. First and foremost, you are their leader,
not their buddy.

appearance of favoritism in his case, this is preferable to being per-
ceived as a leader who gives special treatment to his buddies. Such
a perception can be very destructive.
Leadership is an imperfect science, and I have my share of im-
perfections. Nevertheless, while mistakes made in the process of
trying to do the right thing may hurt, they should cause no guilt
or shame. Seeking to create a team that shares camaraderie and
respect—Friendship—is the right thing to do. And where it exists
you’ll find a formidable organization. That’s why I chose to place
Friendship in the foundation of the Pyramid of Success.

LOYALTY
Loyalty is part of human beings’ higher nature. It is also part of the
nature of great teams and those who lead them. The power of Loy-
alty is the reason I placed it in the center of the Pyramid’s
foundation.
It is impossible to be a good leader without Loyalty to your
organization—your team—just as it impossible to be a good citi-
zen without Loyalty to your country. You must, of course, have the
courage to be loyal to those you lead. Doing so is not always easy.