John Wooden is generally regarded as the nation's greatest basketball coach. His UCLA teams during the 1960s and 1970s won 10 NCAA men's basketball national championships and set records for consecutive victories. But since retiring in 1975, the 97-year-old coach has gained fame as a philosopher and motivator.
His "Pyramid of Success" guide to life is revered by former players and business leaders for its insight on how to help individuals to grow and how to manage organizations.
He is the inspiration for the UCLA Anderson School of Management's John Wooden Global Leadership Award, which will be given annually to a business executive who reflects the coach's leadership values.
The first recipient of the award, handed out last week, was Starbucks Corp. Chief Executive Howard Schultz.
Wooden sat down with The Times and offered up 10 tips -- one for each of the NCAA basketball championships his players won at UCLA -- for how business owners can become better leaders.
1. Listen. One thing that is often overlooked in leadership is the ability to listen. Listening is so important to those under your supervision.
2. Care. Another very important part of leadership is to make those under your supervision feel that you care for them -- not just for the job they are doing for you, but you really care for them personally. You just can't tell them you do that, you have to show it.
While some roles aren't as big or in the forefront as others, they are still very important. I used to use this analogy: It is like having a powerful car. Now the engine, like an Alcindor [now called Kareem Abdul-Jabbar], who played for me, that's powerful. Here's another fellow who is just a wheel. And there is another fellow who is just a nut that holds the wheel on. You have to have them all. You must make every person feel that they are needed.
3. Recognize. When I was teaching in high school in basketball, for example, [I taught that] my players must never score without thanking someone. Don't run over and shake their hand but look at them and give them a little sign or something of appreciation. Everybody likes to have a pat on the back.
4. Prepare. [Managers should be aware of] preparation for whatever their job is, little or big, preparation is so important. Failure to prepare is preparing to fail. You must not put things off.
