The "Pyramid of Success"

Coach John Wooden built team culture at UCLA on the "Pyramid of Success." Coach Ellis Lane introduced us to the Pyramid in 1971. "There is nothing new under the sun." 

Although "competitive greatness" lay at the top, flanked by "FAITH" and "PATIENCE" (belief and time), the power came from the building blocks.

INDUSTRIOUSNESS (hard work) and ENTHUSIASM (passion) marked the cornerstones. 

CONDITION, SKILL, and TEAM SPIRIT anchored the center of 'the pyramid'. 

How do these values translate? 

• Hard work is a skill. It's the ability to persevere and commit to improvement even when nobody is watching. 
• Nothing great is achieved without enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is "purpose" turned into action. 
• Condition blends both physical with mental capability. Doing our best requires the hardware (physical) and the software (mindset). 
• Skill. There's no substitute for skill. Skill alone isn't enough as skill without discipline and direction doesn't predict high performance. As Coach Dave Smart says, "Every day is player development day." 
• Team spirit is an intangible, a "force multiplier." It makes the whole greater than the sum of the parts. 

It's naive to believe that slogans and posters have transformative powers. Change comes from within. Be that change. 

Lagniappe. Our choices define us.