Page 92 - How to Create a Winning Organization

Wooden on Leadership
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like picking up after oneself, and it ends with big things like not
cheating to win.
A leader with character attracts talent with the same. Think of
the quality of human resources on your team when they adhere to
your high ideals and standards. Then consider what happens when
they don’t—when you bring an individual on board for whom
character doesn’t count for much. You’ve placed a rotting apple into
a barrel of good ones. This is a terrible mistake for a leader to make.
Thus, I believe who you are inside—what you believe—is im-
portant, but what you do means more, much more. Actions trump
words, and your values must be visible if
“Successful leadership is they are to have an impact on those you lead
not about being tough or or hope to attract as part of your team. War-
soft, sensitive or assertive, ren Bennis, a professor of business adminis-
but about a set of tration at USC and founding chairman of
attributes. First and the Leadership Institute, says it like this:
foremost is character.” “Successful leadership is not about being
tough or soft, sensitive or assertive, but
about a set of attributes. First and foremost is character.”
When it comes to character and values, you don’t need to be-
come a preacher, just an effective teacher who understands the
power of setting a good example, especially when it comes to stan-
dards and values. In part, this is why Lewis Alcindor, Jr. was at-
tracted to UCLA. From a variety of sources he learned that his
values were our values.
I once interviewed a very talented young man who wanted to at-
tend UCLA on a basketball scholarship. I was even prepared to
offer him a scholarship during our meeting. His mother was there,
and at one point she politely asked me a question. Her son imme-
diately looked over at her and snapped, “How can you be so igno-
rant? Just keep your mouth shut and listen to what the coach says.”
I assured her the question was fine and answered it.