I have long admired John Wooden but had never heard this story. I think this is a must read. What was it about Wooden that produced such extraordinary success as a player and coach?

There is an old saying that great leaders care about people and lead with skillful hands.  This describes Wooden. 

Most people know John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach, for the 10 college basketball championships (including four perfect seasons) his UCLA Bruins men’s basketball team won while he was head coach from 1948 until 1975.

Many people also know Coach Wooden was inducted twice into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a player and as a coach. Some know Wooden was awarded the Presidential Medal of Honor.

Few, however, know about the event that constitutes his greatest contribution to the game of basketball.

via Wooden’s Lesson: Playing on Principle 

On June 5, 2010, Coach Wooden died.  He was 99 years old.  His legacy lives on in the countless lives of those he served whether it was through standing up against prejudice nearly two decades before the Civil Rights Act or through the life lessons he taught and walked.

As a leader, you will have a legacy to be proud of if you follow coach Wooden’s example by: 1) Caring for the people you lead; 2) Teaching and developing their character and competence; and 3) Maintaining the attitude that a life not lived for others is a life not lived.