John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success

There is no better way to start the year than to revisit tried-and-true principles that have led to repeated success. John Wooden, the legendary coach, created “The Pyramid of Success” after years of outstanding performance.

Wooden is “old news,” and many more success paradigms have been created since he put together this pyramid. And yet, I find his tenets to be eternal and always relevant.

His definition of success resonated with me: “Success is the peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming”. In other words, be all that you can be.

While your (and my) definition of success might vary from Mr. Wooden’s, the principles depicted in his pyramid are essential ingredients to building whatever success profile you choose. None of them is superfluous (although some are subject to different interpretations than the ones he offered), and I can’t think of missing elements.

The foundation of the pyramid is the basis for success, which requires strength. In Wooden’s words, “The cornerstones of success to me, in anything, are hard work and enjoy what you’re doing. So, one cornerstone is industriousness, and the other is enthusiasm”.

At the base of the pyramid, we find the following characteristics:

Industriousness – there is no substitute for work. Worthwhile things come from hard work and careful planning. AB: Both the willingness to work hard, beyond the expect and, and the ability to plan your effort effectively, are essential components here).

Friendship – comes from mutual esteem, respect and devotion.  A sincere liking for all. (AB: Wooden sets forth numerous idealistic views that are, in my opinion, unachievable. But the underlying principles of what he says are still used by today’s luminaries (e.g. the Gallop famous question: “Do you have a friend at work?”).

Loyalty – To yourself and all those dependent upon you. Keep your self-respect. AB: Loyalty is a sought-after trait, as is reliability.

Cooperation – with all levels of your co-workers. Help others and see the other side. AB: it is so hard to put oneself in someone else’s shoes, but without it true empathy and leadership are beyond one’s grasp. Supporting others without self-utility has far more value that give-and-take, and the goodwill it creates is immeasurable.

Enthusiasm – Your heart must be in your work. Stimulate others. AB: There is no substitute for authentic, genuine enthusiasm for what you do, and the belief in its importance.

The second level of the pyramid includes several elements:

Self-control – emotions under control. Delicate adjustment between mind and body. Keep judgment and common sense. AB: don’t let your mind control your actions completely; don’t let your heart take you beyond what you know is right.

Alertness – Be observing consistently. Be quick to spot a weakness and correct it or use it as the case may warrant. Observation is a talent that we don’t all possess. It is highly useful in understanding others on your team and outside it, and in building and supporting relationships all across the board, both professional and personal.

Initiative – cultivate the ability to make decisions and think alone. Desire to excel. AB: Taking initiative is a rare and highly coveted characteristic in a leader’s team. Success requires self-motivation, a drive that come naturally to you, and the desire to be the best and achieve well beyond expectations.

Intentness – Ability to resist temptation and stay within your course. Concentrate on your objective and be determined to reach your goal. AB: Today’s word is “intentionality” or “focus”. Avoid distractions and keep your eyes on the prize.

Ambition (properly focused) and sincerity are two more characteristics Wooden mentioned at this level to support your success.

The third level of the pyramid includes:

Condition – mental-moral-physical. Rest, exercise and diet must be considered. Moderation must be practiced. Dissipation must be eliminated. AB: this appears to apply to physical achievements more than anything else, but we all know that physical and mental fitness are prerequisites to success.

Skill – A knowledge of and the ability to properly execute the fundamentals. Be prepared. Cover every detail. AB: skill and talent are both important ingredient in success. At the same time, being both detail-oriented and strategic is highly unlikely. Focusing on one’s strength and developing a skill set to capitalize on those strengths is the way to go.

Team spirit – An eagerness to sacrifice personal interests or glory for the welfare of all. “The team comes first”. AB: Easy to say, very difficult to acct on, especially if you’re the star. The discipline associated with helping others win isn’t inherent in all of us, but is well worth mastering.

Adaptability to any situation and honesty are the two additional characteristics Wooden mentioned at this level of the pyramid.

The fourth level includes two elements:

Poise – Just being yourself. Being at east in any situation. Never fighting yourself. AB: authenticity is the easiest and best way to be.

Confidence – Respect without fear. Confident, not cocky. It may come from faith in yourself and knowing that you are prepared. AB: I think parents can instill healthy confidence in their children, which is more than nearly any other characteristic. Overconfidence has many downsides, but self-assurance is a productive emotion that can help you stay the course when in doubt and when things go wrong.

Integrity and resourcefulness are the two additional characteristics at this level.

The last level gets you to competitive greatness, the ability to be at your best when your best is needed. Successful people thrive on hard battles and overcoming obstacles. They are willing to put forth the fight and effort necessary to get the job done, and will do so reliably. These are the people you want to be with you in the foxhole during battle!

None of us is born with all these excellent characteristics. Many require adversity and difficult experiences to develop and enrich. Use your best and worst moment to hone your skills and personality, make the most out of life’s lessons, to help you reach your goals and make your personal dreams come true.

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