Quotes from John Wooden

I believe effective leaders are, first and foremost, good teachers. We are in the education business. Whether in class or on the court, my job was the same: to effectively teach those under my supervision how they could perform to the best of their ability in ways that best served the goals of our team. I believe the same is true for productive leaders in any organization.

Never lie. Never cheat. Never steal.

Why do we dread adversity when we know that facing it is the only way to become stronger, smarter, better?

Drink deeply from good books.

Make Every Day Your Masterpiece!

Don't whine. Don't complain. Don't make excuses.

Some people today may think these are naive or kind of corny. But think a moment about what they mean and who you become if you abide by them. That isn't naive. You don't become corny.

Four things a man must learn to do If he would make his life more true: To think without confusion clearly, To love his fellow-man sincerely, To act from honest motives purely, To trust in God and Heaven securely.

school. I never tried to talk a student into coming to UCLA. I tried to show him what was there and what to expect, and I never told him he was going to play; I told him he would have the opportunity to play, and if he was good enough, then he'd be able to. Rosy forecasts during the "courtship" of a player can only lead to disappointment and distrust if anything fails to meet that student's expectations.

Now parents will say, "We're just trying to make ends meet," and they're telling the truth. But if you think too much about the pursuit of material things, you're going to hurt those youngsters you're working so hard to buy material things for.

If we are not true to ourselves, we cannot be true to others—our wife or husband, our family, our profession and colleagues

You must know who you are and be true to who you are if you are going to be who you can and should become.

You cannot have a perfect day without helping others with no thought of getting something in return.

Don't think you can make up for it by working twice as hard tomorrow. If you have it within your power to work twice as hard, why aren't you doing it now?

True happiness comes from the things that cannot be taken away from you. Making the full effort to do the right thing can never be taken away from you.

I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday

Some of those under your supervision will catch on quickly, others not. Understanding that patience is an integral part of good teaching and effective leadership allowed me to accept the varying speeds at which people learn and to accommodate, within reason, those differences. Patience became an asset for me rather than a liability. I came to understand that good things take time.

It's friendship when you do good things for each other. It's showing concern and consideration.

A Successful Journey Is the Destination

Your faith, whatever it may be, is the greatest shelter of all.

Be true to yourself. You know what's right. Don't let someone else decide for you.

there is one similarity between a prison guard and a leader: Both have the final word. When a decision is made, it must be accepted by those on your team, or they must be encouraged to find another team.

I eventually became adept at wearing many different hats: teacher, of course, but also disciplinarian, demonstrator, counselor, role model, psychologist, motivator, timekeeper, quality control expert, talent judge, referee, organizer, and more.

How much more pleasant this world would be if we magnified our blessings the way we magnify our disappointments.