Page 89 - How to Create a Winning Organization

Good Values Attract Good People
also true, of course, as the owner in Cleveland discovered when he 71
revealed that $25 meant more to him than my commitment and
loyalty to his team.
For me, of course, the Pyramid of Success defined the code of
conduct and characteristics that I valued, both on and off the
court. I also prized the simple rules of behav-
ior in my father’s “two sets of three”: two lists, “Never lie; never cheat;
each with three admonitions, that he taught never steal. Don’t whine;
to my brothers and me: “Never lie; never don’t complain;
cheat; never steal. Don’t whine; don’t com- don’t make excuses.”
plain; don’t make excuses.”
They are pretty easy to remember, but not so easy to do. Never-
theless, it was behavior I expected, and taught, to all I coached.

ADVERTISE YOUR IDENTITY

In order to make sure that your values are on full display, you
may need to do some “advertising” of various kinds. Deeds
count more than words, but words count too. You may have
to take steps to ensure that people know what you stand for.
I handed out copies of the Pyramid of Success at the start of
each season and had a big drawing of it hanging in the office.
Find the means and methods that work for you, depending
upon your industry and organization. What is your version of
the Ed Sullivan Show and the testimonial letter of Dr. Ralph
Bunche?

CHARACTER IS WHAT YOU DO
Here is a small example of how I tried to offer some guidance to
players in the area of values and character. You may think it’s triv-