The difference between winning and succeeding | John Wooden | TED

Defining Success: A Personal Journey

The Origin of a New Definition

• In 1934, the speaker reflects on their experience teaching high school in South Bend, Indiana, expressing disappointment with parents' expectations for their children's grades.

• The speaker argues that not all students can achieve top grades (A or B), emphasizing the unfairness of judging success solely by academic performance.

Critique of Traditional Success Metrics

• The speaker shares insights from their time at UCLA, noting that winning games did not equate to complete success due to alumni's unrealistic expectations.

• They sought a new definition of success beyond material possessions and prestige, inspired by personal upbringing and values instilled by their father.

Personal Philosophy on Effort and Self-Satisfaction

• The speaker introduces a verse about failure and effort, leading to their own definition: "Peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort."

• They emphasize that true success is based on individual effort rather than external judgment, drawing parallels between character and reputation.

Importance of Teaching and Influence

• The speaker expresses love for teaching and its impact on youth, highlighting how teachers themselves serve as role models for students.

• A memorable verse reinforces the idea that teachers shape youth more than textbooks or lectures ever could.

Reflections on Teaching Profession

• The speaker recalls fond memories of poetry shared during childhood, illustrating how these experiences shaped their appreciation for literature.

Coaching Philosophy and Life Lessons

Core Rules for Players

• The speaker emphasizes the importance of balancing social activities with responsibilities, suggesting that too much focus on socializing can lead to negative outcomes.

• He established three main rules for his players: punctuality, neatness, and cleanliness. Initially, he enforced a strict dress code but later relaxed it while maintaining standards of appearance.

• A notable incident involved Bill Walton being denied access to the bus due to not meeting cleanliness standards, illustrating the speaker's commitment to his rules.

• The speaker stresses the significance of starting and ending practices on time to maintain a positive atmosphere for young coaches and their families.

• He enforces a zero-tolerance policy on profanity and discourages criticism among teammates, believing it's his job as a coach to provide constructive feedback.

Personal Development Through Coaching

• The speaker developed a pyramid model representing success, with industriousness and enthusiasm at its base leading up to faith and patience at the apex.

• He discusses the need for patience in achieving goals, noting that many young people are impatient for change without understanding that progress requires time.

• Reflecting on George Moriarty's quote about personal responsibility in winning or losing, he highlights self-accountability in achieving success.

Emphasizing Effort Over Winning

• The speaker shares Moriarty’s poem which underscores that true victory comes from giving one's best effort rather than merely focusing on trophies or scores.

• He believes that giving all one has is closely related to achieving victory; thus, effort should be prioritized over results.

The Philosophy of Coaching and Player Development

The Importance of Effort Over Outcome

• The speaker emphasizes that the true measure of success in sports is not just winning or losing, but the effort put forth by players. They hope that observers cannot tell the game's outcome based on players' actions.

• The speaker reflects on their belief that game scores should be a byproduct of hard work and dedication, rather than the ultimate goal. They quote Cervantes: "The journey is better than the end," highlighting the value of the process over results.

Coaching Practices and Player Self-Satisfaction

• As a coach at UCLA, practices were viewed as a journey leading to games, which were seen as endpoints. The focus was on ensuring players felt self-satisfaction from their efforts during practice.

• When asked about creating an ideal player, the speaker describes wanting someone who values education, understands teamwork, works hard on defense, and possesses offensive skills.

Qualities of Successful Players

• The ideal player should prioritize passing over shooting and possess well-rounded skills in both offense and defense. The speaker humorously notes past experiences with players who had varying abilities in these areas.

• Keith Wilkes is cited as an example of a player who embodied these qualities. Additionally, two other players—Conrad Burke and Doug McIntosh—are highlighted for their significant growth and contributions to championship teams.

Achieving Full Potential

• Despite initial doubts about Burke's and McIntosh's potential when they joined as freshmen, both exceeded expectations; one played crucial minutes in a national championship game while another became a starting player.

• Both players had low shooting percentages but achieved high overall effectiveness due to smart play; they positioned themselves well for rebounds and anticipated missed shots effectively.

Lessons from Player Development

• The speaker contrasts successful players with those who wait passively for opportunities instead of actively engaging in plays. Good positioning and balance are emphasized as key defensive attributes.