The second section in the middle tier of John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success emphasizes the concept of “alertness.” He characterized this quality as: “Maintain constant observation. Keep an open mind. Be enthusiastic about learning and self-improvement.”
Wooden viewed alertness as crucial for personal growth. He frequently referenced Abraham Lincoln’s observation: “I have never encountered an individual from whom I did not gain insight; most of the time, it was what not to do.” Wooden would follow this with, “Yet that constitutes learning nonetheless.”
He stated, “We must remain vigilant and engaged, observing the events around us continuously. If we don’t, we risk overlooking countless opportunities for self-improvement. It’s essential not to become ensnared in our own narrow perspectives and self-centered methods.”
However, beyond constant observation lies the vital aspect of maintaining an open mindset. Wooden emphasized the significance of being receptive to all possibilities in order to seize every chance to learn something new.
“The assistants were encouraged to share differing opinions,” he shared about his coaching staff at UCLA. “Some were more reserved in their disagreements, while others spoke up frequently. I wanted them to feel free to suggest ideas. A yes-man on my coaching staff serves no purpose. I required individuals who would challenge the status quo. I aimed for them to have their own perspectives, yet understand that ultimately, only one person makes the final call…. If I made a decision that diverged from their views, they had to accept it as if it were their own, despite their disagreement. This is a crucial lesson I learned in coaching, whether working with assistants or players: When you have a differing opinion, maintain respect and civility.”
Instances of Coach Wooden’s Open-Mindedness
It’s genuinely fascinating to observe how genuinely open-minded Wooden was in considering suggestions, and how he inspired his assistants to adopt an open-minded attitude as well. Several former assistant coaches shared insights on Wooden’s openness to their ideas, especially if they could enhance the team’s performance:
- Eddie Powell: “Absolutely, I had the freedom to disagree; in fact, he motivated me to voice my opinions.”
- William Putnam: “He was consistently seeking input, thoughts, and even disagreements.”
- Doug Sale: “Oh yes, I felt very comfortable expressing my disagreement. He welcomed it.”
- Gary Cunningham: “We had the freedom to oppose one another. He did not desire yes-men; he sought out individuals who would share their ideas.”
- Jerry Norman: “Working with Coach was a rewarding experience in that regard because he was very receptive to new ideas. He would challenge you extensively—not on his liking it, but on how committed you were to it.”
- Denny Crum: “He was consistently open-minded and willing to explore new approaches if I could rationalize them during our discussions.”
Furthermore, the third component of Wooden’s definition of alertness is: “Be enthusiastic about learning and self-betterment.” He believed that a person must be prepared to accept any lessons—whether good or bad—that life presents. For him, this was the most effective path for growth.
Regardless of how knowledgeable or experienced we think we are on a topic, there is always more to absorb. Wooden was a staunch believer in this principle, committing himself to learn something new each day. As he often remarked, “What you discover after you think you know it all is what truly matters.”
