Over my 30 year career in sales and sales management John Wooden’s name and principles popped up about once a year in various training discussions.

His recent passing creates an opportunity to pause and reflect on his greatness.  Seldom in our history do we come across great leaders that are completely authentic and live by principles that guarantee success.  John Wooden was one of those great leaders.  His father passed along this 7 Point Creed as John was entering grammar school.

John Wooden’s 7 Point Creed:

• Be true to yourself.
• Make each day your masterpiece.
• Help others.
• Drink deeply from good books, especially the Bible.
• Make friendship a fine art.
• Build a shelter against a rainy day.
• Pray for guidance and give thanks for your blessings every day.

John went on to write his own Pyramid of Success.

John Wooden served our country in the Navy achieving the rank of Lieutenant.  As a player he once made 134 consecutive free throws in 46 games.  As a coach, he won 10 NCAA basketball championships coaching the UCLA Bruins.  Overall his coaching record was 664 wins and 162 losses.

I would say that John Wooden was an extraordinary man that we can all model our lives after.