Change

"No progress occurs without change, but not all change is progress." - John Wooden

Study leadership to understand the qualities of great leaders. In Lincoln on Leadership, Donald T. Phillips explores the personal and professional character and decision-making of our 16th President.

Lincoln was an avid and curious reader. He was the only President to have a patent and met with inventors who might help win the Civil War. He believed in trial periods, in which subordinates had a chance to prove their mettle. And he recognized the importance of change and flexibility as well as stability and consistency.

The ability to change when change is necessary yet remain consistent to principles has been a staple of MVB under Coach Scott Celli.

One season, the team opened with a 6-2 and struggled to an opening match loss at Belmont. That ended that strategy at that time. 

MVB has always functioned with core competencies of ball control and defense. As the game evolved, "middle dominant offense" changed to more attacks via the pins - with All-State outsides (Elena Soukos, Gia Vlajkovic, Sadie Jaggers) turning "prove it" into "do it" careers. 

The best lineup finds itself on the court, although the Opening Day lineup is often not the end-of-season lineup. JV players can ascend to rotation players during the season. Underclassmen can earn playing time when they add value. Players like Gia or Alyssa DiRaffaele can find themselves in a different position in the best interests of the team.

Effective coaching considers numerous factors. Balancing stability and consistency (values, goals, and standards) with change and flexibility can mean difficult decisions and hard conversations.

Other Coach Wooden quotes include:

“Place the team above yourself always.”

 “Losing yourself for the good of the group—that’s teamwork.”

“Happiness begins where selfishness ends.”

Team sports teach many lessons, primary among them, "Team first." 

Lagniappe. How you speak becomes a vital part of your character and competence. 

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