Executive #Bookshelf : Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court - John Wooden
Synopsis
Evoking days gone by when coaches were respected as much for their off-court performances as for their success on the court, Wooden presents the timeless wisdom of legendary basketball coach John Wooden.
“I am just a common man who is true to his beliefs.”
Coach Wooden's remarkable 10 national basketball championships in 12 years at UCLA speak for themselves. In Wooden, the coach--quiet, thoughtful, and introspective throughout his distinguished career--finally speaks forhimself, and he's well worth hearing. Wooden is a modern chapbook of inspiration and good sense that reveals the hard-court philosopher behind it as a man of character, conviction, decency, and straightforwardness.
There are no complex ideas, just little beams of light filtered through anecdotes that project the kinds of simple, immutable truths that in the end touch nothing but net. Evoking days gone by when coaches were expected as much for their off-court performance as for their success on the court, this unique and intimate work presents the timeless wisdom of legendary basketball coach John Wooden.
In honest and telling passages about virtually every aspect of life, Coach shares his personal philosophy on family, achievement, success, and excellence. Raised on a small farm in south-central Indiana, he offers lessons and wisdom learned throughout his career at UCLA, and life as a dedicated husband, father, and teacher.
These lessons, along with personal letters from Bill Walton, Denny Crum, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bob Costas, among others, have made Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections on and off the Court an inspirational classic.
Tom’s Take:
While I never saw Wooden coach, as a huge college sports fan and businessman, his name rings synonymous with leadership. I’ve seen so many of his quotes and stats in random places that when I saw this book I knew I had to give it a shot (pun intended). Coach’s book is a set of lessons followed by stories and examples in real life. It’s part autobiography, part leadership courseware and part motivational. It’s a simple read with simple lessons- but with everything practice and execution are where winners are made.