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In order to reach the full potential of a group, there must be cooperation at all levels- working together in all ways to accomplish the common goal. The get cooperation you must give cooperation.

You are not the only person with good ideas. If you wish to be heard, listen. Always seek to find the best way rather than insisting on having things your own way. This requires cooperation.

Cooperation allows a group of individuals to move forward together, to move in the same direction instead of going in different directions.

Ten strong field horses could not pull an empty baby carriage if they worked independently of each other. Regardless of how much effort the exerted individually,, the carriage wouldn’t budge without their mutual cooperation.

Cooperation- the sharing of ideas, information, creativity, responsibilities and tasks- is a priority of good leadership. The only thing that is not shared is blame. A strong leader accepts blame and gives the credit (when deserved) to others.

A weak leader gives blame and takes credit. Be careful when you, the leader, start taking bows for the accomplishments of your organization. You must derive pride not from the accolades of outsiders, but the efforts and achievements- success- of your team and the accolades it receives.






 


Industriousness? In plain language- you have to work and work hard. There is no substitute for work. None. Worthwhile things come only from real work.

Tiger Woods? Payton Manning? As important as their physical abilities are, they have work to correct and improve their skills. They are legendary for their hard work, their industriousness. And so is anyone else who has achieved personal success and competitive greatness- Michael Jordan.  Jack Nicklaus.  Lance Armstrong.

Businessperson, clergy, doctor, lawyer, plumber, artist, writer, coach or athlete, all share a fundamental trait if they achieve competitive greatness. They work very hard. It is essential and only you know if you’re really giving everything you’ve got.

Grantland Rice understood this when he wrote “How to Be a Champion”:

You wonder how they do it,
You look to see the knack
You watch the foot in action,
Or the shoulder or the back.
But when you spot the answer
Where the higher glamor lurk,
You’ll find in moving higher
Up the laurel-covered spire,
That most of it is practice,
And the rest of it is work.


So, industriousness is the first of the cornerstones in the foundation of the Pyramid of Success. It involves more than just showing up and going through the motions. Many people who tell you they worked all day weren’t actually working very hard at all, certainly not to the fullest extent of their ability.

You can work without being industrious, but you not be industrious without work.






 




Here's Coach Wooden on the number 2 block in the "Pyramid of Success":

You may question the role of Friendship in the context of leadership. Is it wise for a leader to become ‘friends’ with those under his or her leadership? Will friendship hinder correct decision making when hard choices are called for?

I believe there are various kinds of degrees of friendship based on a wide range of appreciations. We may have an acquaintance with whom we are friendly because of a shared interest in politics or sports another whose humor we enjoy, some may be golfing, bowling or fishing buddies; perhaps we have an old friend from high school whom we haven’t seen in 20 years. All are friends in different and good ways- but not in the way I mean friendship

The two qualities of friendship so important for a leader to possess and instill in team members are respect and camaraderie. To me these are the most noteworthy characteristics of true friendship.

The two qualities of friendship so important for a leader to possess and instill in team members are respect and camaraderie. To me these are the most noteworthy characteristics of true friendship as it relates to leadership.

Camaraderie is a spirit of goodwill that exists between individuals and members of a group- comrades-in-arms. Think of how much you’ll give when asked to do so by someone you respect and with whom you share camaraderie. You’ll give plenty- everything you’ve got. Those under your leadership will do the same if you show them this part of yourself.

This, I sought and valued these two particular qualities of friendship in my relationship with the individuals on the UCLA men’s basketball team .I did not seek their affection nor wish to become ‘buddies’. Mutual respect and camaraderie strengthen. Affection, in fact, may weaken it by causing you to play favorites.

When camaraderie and respect exist you will find the makings of a formidable organization or a key component to building an unbreakable team.









 



The central foundational block in John Wooden's  "Pyramid of Success" is LOYALTY. Here's what Coach Wooden has to say:

Loyalty is written into a human being’s higher nature. It is also an imperative part of the nature of great teams and those who lead them. It is impossible to be a good leader without loyalty to your organization- your team- just as it is impossible to be a good citizen without loyalty to your country. You must, of course have courage to be loyal to those you lead. Doing so is not always easy. It starts, however, with loyalty to yourself you standards, your system, your values. Compromising these things, especially under the banner of expediency, is disloyalty. It’s self betrayal.

It’s simple: do not betray yourself and do not betray those you lead.

A leader committed to loyalty is a leader whose team stays committed. Most people wish to be in an organization whose leadership cares about them, provides fairness and respect, dignity and consideration.

Do so and you find loyalty in abundance from those you lead, and you will subsequently lead an organization that stands unshaken even in the face of trial and uncertainty.

Loyalty is a most precious and powerful commodity within an organization. And it starts with the leader who knows what loyalty means.

For more information on Coach Wooden's "Pyramid of Success" or read further on this topic visit:
www.coachwooden.com

Stay connected to the Character Combine site. Keep checking out the blog and be watching for dates and more info on the 2009 Combine event. May 2009.





 


It's hard to believe that school is back in session and most fall sports are already well under way. Friday nights and Saturday mornings  are beginning to fill with the sounds of referees whistles and cheering fans. Fall is definitely here and excitement and anticipation are in the air. Email us your fall schedule and let us know  your "big game". We'd love to come cheer your team on!

As your season kicks off, stay connected to the Combine blog as we go through Coach John Wooden's "Pyramid of Success".- 15 essential building blocks for athletic and personal success.

We look forward to hearing about your progressing season over the next several weeks and can't wait to hear about success with your players on and off the field. Stay connected to charactercombine.com for  more blogs and for updates on the 2009 Combine event. Planning is well under way.

Until next time.







 


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