John Wooden (a.k.a. The Wizard of Westwood) is arguably the most successful coach in the history of college basketball.
While having lunch with a friend, I learned that he once had the privilege of witnessing The Wizard at work at a routine practice session during the glory years at UCLA. He shared a story about the conclusion of the practice that I continue to pass on when helping others to understand and apply one of Coach Wooden’s success principals.
Successful basketball coaches know that free throw success frequently determines the outcome of a game. Many coaches routinely require their players to shoot 100 free throws at every practice. “Practice makes perfect.” Right? Except when you mistake activity for achievement.
Wooden’s final practice assignment for his players was a simple exercise in free throw shooting. Players were permitted to end their practice session after making ten successive free throws. On that particular day, UCLA’s All-America point guard, Henry Bibby was the first player to stroll off the court to the comfort of the locker room and a warm shower. He completed the assignment with perfect, ten-for-ten efficiency.
Would Henry Bibby have been a better player if he was required to shoot 100 free throws daily instead or just those ten? Which measurement is the more effective?
John Wooden’s wizardry in this example lies in his understanding of the difference between activity and achievement. While Wooden’s competitors focused on the activity of shooting, UCLA’s players focused on the desired result. When the desired result was achieved (consistent, repeatable success), the players were instantly rewarded. Coach Wooden’s record speaks for itself. His players established habits of excellence.
How can you apply this subtle, yet powerful wisdom to personal and organizational achievement throughout your organization?
In how many organizations do you see managers routinely working twelve hour days? Is their focus on taking one hundred shots or making ten? Is there an unwritten rule that no one leaves work before the boss? Do you have sales people shooting hundreds of shots at unqualified accounts? As you look at all of these examples, is your organizational focus on taking one hundred shots or making ten?
How have you valued activity over achievement? Could you become vulnerable to a superior competitor, like John Wooden? Are there Henry Bibbys in your organization whose star potential is being squandered by requirements for unfocused activity? At what cost? Do you reward those who take their 100 shots the same as those who efficiently go ten-for-ten?
John Wooden’s wizardry in this example lies in his understanding of the difference between activity and achievement. While Wooden’s competitors focused on the activity of shooting, UCLA’s players focused on the desired result. When the desired result was achieved (consistent, repeatable success), the players were instantly rewarded. Coach Wooden’s record speaks for itself. His players established habits of excellence.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
How can you apply this subtle, yet powerful wisdom to personal and organizational achievement throughout your organization?
In how many organizations do you see managers routinely working twelve hour days? Is their focus on taking one hundred shots or making ten? Is there an unwritten rule that no one leaves work before the boss? Do you have sales people shooting hundreds of shots at unqualified accounts? As you look at all of these examples, is your organizational focus on taking one hundred shots or making ten?
How have you valued activity over achievement? Could you become vulnerable to a superior competitor, like John Wooden? Are there Henry Bibbys in your organization whose star potential is being squandered by requirements for unfocused activity? At what cost? Do you reward those who take their 100 shots the same as those who efficiently go ten-for-ten?
John Wooden, passed away Los Angeles on June 4, 2010 at age 99. The John R. Wooden Award is college basketball’s most prestigious honor.
Wooden’s All-American protégé, Henry Bibby, has learned to apply the lessons learned from The Wizard. Bibby, served as head basketball coach at USC for eight seasons, is considered by many as the most successful coach in USC’s history. Henry’s son, Mike, played professional basketball for 14 years after a successful college career at Arizona.
Special thanks to Dan Dalberg for sharing his UCLA eyewitness account at lunch in 2003 and inspiring this article, which I’ve republished here ten years later. The Wizard’s wisdom is timeless.
Contained in his book and the Pyramid Graphic
Tom Lemanski helps accomplished leaders unlock potential, solve complex challenges, and amplify their impact.
Effective leadership is the key to driving meaningful, lasting success in a fast-changing world.
Tom’s focus on innovative strategies and self-awareness creates transformative results for leaders striving for the next level.
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