Leadership Lessons: I Wondered Why?

Dear Friends, 

The late John Wooden was a basketball legend. He won 10 national championships, and today he is considered by most people to be the greatest basketball coach who ever lived. He was a gentleman, a leader, and a steadfast follower of Jesus Christ.

Coach Wooden has written a number of books that are among my favorite library friends. Inside their covers can be found a wealth of valuable life and leadership lessons that have impacted countless lives. both on and off the basketball court.

This morning I share some of his thoughts with you which were taken from the last half of an article he wrote in 1976 for Sports Medalist Publications.

I am indebted to one of his former players, Craig Impelman, for sharing the following material posed in the form of  a series of questions titled "I Wondered Why?" 

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

-is it so difficult to realize, at times, that nothing we can do will change the past, and the only way to affect the future is by what we do now.

-is it that it is so much easier to give others blame than it is to give them credit.

-is it that many who are quick to make suggestions find it difficult to make decisions.

-don't we realize that others are certain to listen to us if we first listen to them.

-aren’t we more interested in finding the best way rather than having our own way.

-is it so difficult to develop the feeling that those working under our supervision are working with us and not for us.

-is it much easier to be a critic than a model.

-is it so hard to disagree without being disagreeable.

-can't we understand that all progress comes through change even though all change may not be progress.

-is it that we often forget that big things are accomplished only by the perfection of minor details.

-do we dread adversity so much, when facing it is the only way to become stronger.

-can't we motivate ourselves when we know that results come through motivation.

-is it that some seem ashamed to let others know that they pray or read the Bible.

-should it be difficult to give thanks, express thanks, or merely say, “thank you”.

-can't we have patience and expect good things to take time.

-it is so easy to be quick to judge when processed of only a few facts.

-is it that it is so easy to see the faults of others and so difficult to see our own.

 I certainly do not have the answer for these questions, but I feel that the more I am aware of the fact that they do exist, the better chance I will have to face up to and make them less of a problem.

 Coach Wooden used these thoughts to evaluate himself and improve; not to be critical of others. 

You and I will benefit the most from this article if we do likewise.

Yours in faith and friendship,

Tom

P.S. What a wonderful list of questions to discuss in a small study group.