Wooden On Leadership: How to Create a Winning Organization

In the Preface to Wooden on Leadership, co-author Steve Jamison introduces Coach John Wooden by noting that both he and Dr. Albert Einstein have “mastered the complicated art of keeping it simple” (xi). Just as Einstein created a simple equation to explain the complexities of nuclear fusion, Wooden created the formula of “conditioning + fundamentals + unity” to win 10 NCAA basketball titles at UCLA. Jamison goes on to explain that Wooden’s unparalleled success as a coach, which includes an NCAA record of 88 consecutive victories, a record of four unbeaten seasons, and a record of 10 national titles, can be attributed to the fact that he “taught good habits” (xii). He also explains that Wooden’s good habits such as values, knowledge, team spirit, discipline, consistency, standards, balance, character, details, love, self-control, and loyalty can be incorporated into any organization.

Wooden begins his Prologue by stating that “leadership offers its greatest reward beyond that of simply achieving supremacy over the competition” (xiii). Specifically, he argues that teaching others and helping them reach their potential in contributing to a team’s common goal surpasses winning. Wooden also argues that it was actually “the hoopla and attention accompanying UCLA’s