What credit unions can learn from a basketball coach (who happens to be John Wooden)

I am currently reading Coach Wooden’s Leadership Game Plan for Success: 12 Lessons for Extraordinary Performance and Personal Excellence. I’ve seen and read quite a bit over the years about John Wooden in relation to leadership, and have always been impressed and motivated by his humble demeanor, genuine devotion to others, and commitment to his personal values. He was arguably one of the greatest people leaders of our time.

I am about half way through the book and while I have already had many “head nodding” and “light bulb” moments, there is one concept that keeps circling around in relation to team spirit and commitment. It is a minor nuance and I feel I have intrinsically known the difference over the years when I have seen it and felt it on my teams, from my teammates (cross functional, direct reports or leaders, it applies to everyone), and within myself.

Coach Wooden, in relation to team spirit, originally described it as “a willingness to lose oneself in the group for the good of the group.”

In other words, willing to be more concerned about the team and team success than individual glory. Sounds good to me. Sounds like wording similar to what I am sure I have used with team members. Willing to collaborate effectively and contribute to the success of the team.

Not good enough for John Wooden. He realized that “willingness” implied doing something in an almost begrudging way.

“I am willing to support you in that initiative”

“I am willing to consider that idea.”

He updated his definition and used the word eagerness in place of willingness. Consider that difference.

“I am eager to hear your ideas.”

“I am eager to support that initiative.”

One word can impact the mindset.

I encourage everyone to consider that shift for every role in their life, and for our teams and organizational mindset. Are we “willing” or “eager” to show up for others in our personal life and on our work team(s)?

Let’s be eager. And let’s foster that feeling of, and commitment to, driving towards excellence as a team. Whether it’s scoring points on the basketball court, reaching corporate goals in the office, heightening the member experience at every touchpoint, or positively impacting our personal relationships – being eager to support, assist, and lift up those around us is a winning game plan.