Summary: John W. Gardner And John Wooden On Leadership
Is it possible that life experiences shape a person into a leader? Personally, my life experiences, both the ups and the downs, have shaped me into the leader that I am and want to further become. Leaders such as John W. Gardner and Coach John Wooden books titled, On Leadership and Wooden On Leadership, respectively have opened my eyes to realize that the path to becoming a leader is not a monolithic journey. However, both Gardner and Wooden stresses that what makes a leader out of those journeys are the characteristics that they acquire to change their lives and the lives of others. Even though each leader’s journey to leadership is incomparable, the characteristics to being an effective leader are shared. Nonetheless, even with the shared
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characteristics of a leader, each leader utilizes the character different to increase their effectiveness in leadership. Overall,
The purpose of writers John Gardner and Coach John Wooden’s books are to explain to individuals that there are certain characteristic that make a strong and effective. Even though on occasion the two authors points on characteristic juxtaposed each other, it was a testament that leaders are influenced and shaped into leaders in different ways. However, Gardner and Wooden’s […] that an organization, its leader, and its followers can only be strong as their leader. Therefore, it is important that both leader and follower share a connection in their belief of moral standards and values, as well as open communication. In Coach John Wooden’s book, he states that having high morals and values dictates the capabilities to make responsible and appropriate decisions, which constitute good character. Coach Wooden states, “a good explanation of character is simple: respect for yourself, respect for others, respect for the game, whether it’s basketball, business, or anything else” (Wooden, 2005, p.73). To simply explain, a leader who treats others with respect will attract followers who believe these same standards. Equally, John W. Gardner echoes Wooden’s statement about values and character. Gardner states, “[…] our leaders will help [their followers] keep alive values that are not easy to embed in laws—[such as] […] moral responsibility, […] [and] about tolerance and mutual respect” (Gardner, 1990, p.77). Importantly, leaders and followers benefit from sharing similar standards of morals and values because it leads to greater relationships and trust.
In addition to leaders and followers sharing similar standards and building a relationship based on their commonality, open communication is also a leadership attribute that both authors agree on. Open-communication also known as democratic communication (Browning & Sanderson, 2015) is emphasized in both books as an entity necessary to maintain a healthy leadership and relationship with followers. A leader must listen to its followers and vice versa. Both Gardner and Wooden in their books provide examples that both ineffective and effective communication can affect a group or organization—for better or worse. However, through positive open communication that is produced from the group can lead to positive and effective improvement (Wooden, 2005, p.198-201; Gardner,1990, p.86) for the work environment and respectability between leader and follower.
Nevertheless, even though Coach Wooden and John Gardner share similarities of what constitutes a great leader, there is one particular difference between the two authors. The distinct difference between the two authors is their separate beliefs of how public opinion influences power and strife within an organization and its leadership. On one hand, Coach Wooden strongly believe that public opinion, either positive or negative, is detrimental to a group and its leadership. Wooden states, “praise and criticism are volatile forces within an organization, but they also can come from outside the group from friends, family, and the media” (Wooden, 2005). These criticisms and praises pull a part an organization that can lead to the demise of a strong and cohesive group. On the other hand, author John Gardner belief contrasts those of Coach Wooden about the impact of public opinion. Gardner believes, “[individuals] want public opinion to be a critically important source of power, and it often is” (Gardner, 1990). In a sense, Gardner’s statement implies that no matter if the opinion is the source of praise or criticism that it influences and increases power in an individual. However, this can lead to either selfishness or low self-esteem because of the constant opinion from outside sources. The contrasting ideas from both authors illustrates that public opinion can affect leadership and relationships due to power struggles.
Although both authors specifies what attributes they believe make up a effective leader, the common leadership theme that each author implies to in their book is that of a transformational leader.
A transformational leader is an in “who inspires followers to achieve extraordinary outcomes while also helping to develop the individual leadership skills of their followers” (Bass,2008)(Burton, Damon, & Peachy, 2015). Within each author’s respected book, either it is Gardner who tells the stories of leaders such as Civil Rights leader and activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who fought for justices and equality for all while teaching his followers of equality, civil disobedience and nonviolence (Gardner, 1990) is one example of a transformation leader in his book who emphasizes that the success of a leader equates to the success of their followers. Furthermore, this leadership style is present in Coach Wooden’s book, which details his many personal stories of leadership as the Head Men’s Basketball coach at UCLA. Coach Wooden states, “[p]ut [your leadership style] to good use: Be what you want your team to become” (Wooden, 2005). Wooden’s taught his team valuable lessons of confidence, time management, and ethics, valuable for life both on and off the court. Wooden, much like Gardner, believes that great leadership and character will mold your followers into the …show more content…
same.
After reading both books, it allowed me to realize that in a small capacity at this moment in my life that, I am becoming more of a leader each and everyday.
I have learned that leadership is much more than being able to make business decisions and having a group of people under one’s supervision. Leadership is a multifaceted position that encompasses that an individual who is or wants to be a leader must have self-confidence, embrace adversity, have a support system and trusting one’s decisions. These underlying characteristics to possess leadership are some that I have now and some that I am constantly working on to gain and
strengthen.
Before I truly deemed myself as a leader, I experienced many levels of adversity that made me question if stepping out of my comfort zone. However, I never knew that the adversity that I would face would allow me to accomplish goals that I never fathomed as possible. Throughout my college career, I have faced adversity ranging from sickness to not doing well on assignment and worrying about my overall grade. My goal has always been to get an advance degree and pave a path of attainability to higher education in my family. However, doing specific periods, I thought that it would not come to fruition. Nevertheless, I have realized that the obstacles and events, which I have no control over, are a part of life’s plan (Wooden, 2005). Therefore, overcoming adversity is embracing fate (Wooden, 2005), which is a life lesson of embracing change and compromises and turning them into a positive outcome.
Fortunately, the adversity that I have experiences has led me to possess confidence. Mainly this confidence was strengthen fairly recently in my decision to apply for graduate school and become the first individual in my family to get a Master’s degree. During the application process, I was extremely nervous about if I met the qualifications and if I could handle living in a state where I knew no one and no one knew me. However, I could not lose my confidence or my will power because of a false sense of insecurity. Instead, I had to believe in myself because lack of confidence is “[not] the […] most productive standard” (Wooden, 2005, p.57). My goal is to better my life and the life of my family. Therefore, to accomplish those dreams, I have to become a better leader in my personal life.
However, with confidence and goals comes pressure to accomplish those goals. Due to my life’s purpose of wanting to be a leader in my family, it has fueled my desire to achieve many goals. For instance, as graduation approaches, my plan and dream after graduation and receiving my Master’s degree, my goal is to have a job secured. However, this plan and time frame looms over my head to achieve. Nevertheless, to achieve my dream of obtaining a career with the Sport Marketing industry and climbing the corporate ladder with a leadership role within a company will take time to accomplish; time that I continue to watch and analyze. However, Coach John Wooden states, “to achieve dreams is to ignore them” (Wooden, 2005). Wooden strongly believes that goals should not be a constant focal point in a person’s life. Instead, I am becoming aware that I should focus on the present situation of working towards my degree that will eventually lead to achieving my other goals. I cannot focus on the future before conquering the present.
Thankfully even through my early moments of self-doubt and stress, my family has been an added foundation and support system. Both Gardner and Wooden stress that the success of a leader is not based on solely a leader’s professional, or in my case educational life, but similarly a leader has to have success in their personal life. The moral and emotional support that my family has given me has motivated and influenced myself to continue on my path of happiness and success (Gardner, 1990; Wooden 2005). Even though my family is not necessarily mentors in the professional sense; they are mentors in my life because they have guided me and instilled in me life lessons of respect, confidence, and a hard work ethic that has allowed me to continue working towards my ultimate goal.
I am thankful to have a support system such as my family who motivates and inspires me each and everyday. However, a “person must gain the necessary knowledge of self” (Gardner, 1990). Therefore, it is gratifying to finally not only have confidence, but faith and self-assurance that all of the hard work and dedication that I am and have put into my work, both professionally and academically, are beginning to pay off. The road of acknowledging self-worth is a direct reflection that my goal to bettering my family, bettering myself, and becoming a leader is soon within my reach.
Ultimately, reading both John Gardner and Coach John Wooden’s books have illustrated that leaders responsibilities and position will vary depending on their specific task. However, an effective leader will always strive for the same thing—making sure that those that a leader is working for and with will obtain success as well. Both On Leadership and Wooden On Leadership have taught me that a leader does not fit a certain mold or are born with leadership characteristics, we learn through life experiences and through support systems if leadership is a destined life positions. Reading these two leadership books, have allowed me to step back from my daily realities and realize that my purpose in life in getting my degree has made me into a leader. I will become the transformational leader (Bass,2008)(Burton, Damon, & Peachy, 2015) that will inspire and help my family achieve the dreams and goals that they aspire to achieve as well. Within this specific moment in my life, I am assured of who I am, my goals, and my self-worth. I am confident enough in my present life that my future is made to help change my life and the lives of those around me for the better; that is my dream as a leader.
characteristics of a leader, each leader utilizes the character different to increase their effectiveness in leadership. Overall,
The purpose of writers John Gardner and Coach John Wooden’s books are to explain to individuals that there are certain characteristic that make a strong and effective. Even though on occasion the two authors points on characteristic juxtaposed each other, it was a testament that leaders are influenced and shaped into leaders in different ways. However, Gardner and Wooden’s […] that an organization, its leader, and its followers can only be strong as their leader. Therefore, it is important that both leader and follower share a connection in their belief of moral standards and values, as well as open communication. In Coach John Wooden’s book, he states that having high morals and values dictates the capabilities to make responsible and appropriate decisions, which constitute good character. Coach Wooden states, “a good explanation of character is simple: respect for yourself, respect for others, respect for the game, whether it’s basketball, business, or anything else” (Wooden, 2005, p.73). To simply explain, a leader who treats others with respect will attract followers who believe these same standards. Equally, John W. Gardner echoes Wooden’s statement about values and character. Gardner states, “[…] our leaders will help [their followers] keep alive values that are not easy to embed in laws—[such as] […] moral responsibility, […] [and] about tolerance and mutual respect” (Gardner, 1990, p.77). Importantly, leaders and followers benefit from sharing similar standards of morals and values because it leads to greater relationships and trust.
In addition to leaders and followers sharing similar standards and building a relationship based on their commonality, open communication is also a leadership attribute that both authors agree on. Open-communication also known as democratic communication (Browning & Sanderson, 2015) is emphasized in both books as an entity necessary to maintain a healthy leadership and relationship with followers. A leader must listen to its followers and vice versa. Both Gardner and Wooden in their books provide examples that both ineffective and effective communication can affect a group or organization—for better or worse. However, through positive open communication that is produced from the group can lead to positive and effective improvement (Wooden, 2005, p.198-201; Gardner,1990, p.86) for the work environment and respectability between leader and follower.
Nevertheless, even though Coach Wooden and John Gardner share similarities of what constitutes a great leader, there is one particular difference between the two authors. The distinct difference between the two authors is their separate beliefs of how public opinion influences power and strife within an organization and its leadership. On one hand, Coach Wooden strongly believe that public opinion, either positive or negative, is detrimental to a group and its leadership. Wooden states, “praise and criticism are volatile forces within an organization, but they also can come from outside the group from friends, family, and the media” (Wooden, 2005). These criticisms and praises pull a part an organization that can lead to the demise of a strong and cohesive group. On the other hand, author John Gardner belief contrasts those of Coach Wooden about the impact of public opinion. Gardner believes, “[individuals] want public opinion to be a critically important source of power, and it often is” (Gardner, 1990). In a sense, Gardner’s statement implies that no matter if the opinion is the source of praise or criticism that it influences and increases power in an individual. However, this can lead to either selfishness or low self-esteem because of the constant opinion from outside sources. The contrasting ideas from both authors illustrates that public opinion can affect leadership and relationships due to power struggles.
Although both authors specifies what attributes they believe make up a effective leader, the common leadership theme that each author implies to in their book is that of a transformational leader.
A transformational leader is an in “who inspires followers to achieve extraordinary outcomes while also helping to develop the individual leadership skills of their followers” (Bass,2008)(Burton, Damon, & Peachy, 2015). Within each author’s respected book, either it is Gardner who tells the stories of leaders such as Civil Rights leader and activist, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who fought for justices and equality for all while teaching his followers of equality, civil disobedience and nonviolence (Gardner, 1990) is one example of a transformation leader in his book who emphasizes that the success of a leader equates to the success of their followers. Furthermore, this leadership style is present in Coach Wooden’s book, which details his many personal stories of leadership as the Head Men’s Basketball coach at UCLA. Coach Wooden states, “[p]ut [your leadership style] to good use: Be what you want your team to become” (Wooden, 2005). Wooden’s taught his team valuable lessons of confidence, time management, and ethics, valuable for life both on and off the court. Wooden, much like Gardner, believes that great leadership and character will mold your followers into the …show more content…
same.
After reading both books, it allowed me to realize that in a small capacity at this moment in my life that, I am becoming more of a leader each and everyday.
I have learned that leadership is much more than being able to make business decisions and having a group of people under one’s supervision. Leadership is a multifaceted position that encompasses that an individual who is or wants to be a leader must have self-confidence, embrace adversity, have a support system and trusting one’s decisions. These underlying characteristics to possess leadership are some that I have now and some that I am constantly working on to gain and
strengthen.
Before I truly deemed myself as a leader, I experienced many levels of adversity that made me question if stepping out of my comfort zone. However, I never knew that the adversity that I would face would allow me to accomplish goals that I never fathomed as possible. Throughout my college career, I have faced adversity ranging from sickness to not doing well on assignment and worrying about my overall grade. My goal has always been to get an advance degree and pave a path of attainability to higher education in my family. However, doing specific periods, I thought that it would not come to fruition. Nevertheless, I have realized that the obstacles and events, which I have no control over, are a part of life’s plan (Wooden, 2005). Therefore, overcoming adversity is embracing fate (Wooden, 2005), which is a life lesson of embracing change and compromises and turning them into a positive outcome.
Fortunately, the adversity that I have experiences has led me to possess confidence. Mainly this confidence was strengthen fairly recently in my decision to apply for graduate school and become the first individual in my family to get a Master’s degree. During the application process, I was extremely nervous about if I met the qualifications and if I could handle living in a state where I knew no one and no one knew me. However, I could not lose my confidence or my will power because of a false sense of insecurity. Instead, I had to believe in myself because lack of confidence is “[not] the […] most productive standard” (Wooden, 2005, p.57). My goal is to better my life and the life of my family. Therefore, to accomplish those dreams, I have to become a better leader in my personal life.
However, with confidence and goals comes pressure to accomplish those goals. Due to my life’s purpose of wanting to be a leader in my family, it has fueled my desire to achieve many goals. For instance, as graduation approaches, my plan and dream after graduation and receiving my Master’s degree, my goal is to have a job secured. However, this plan and time frame looms over my head to achieve. Nevertheless, to achieve my dream of obtaining a career with the Sport Marketing industry and climbing the corporate ladder with a leadership role within a company will take time to accomplish; time that I continue to watch and analyze. However, Coach John Wooden states, “to achieve dreams is to ignore them” (Wooden, 2005). Wooden strongly believes that goals should not be a constant focal point in a person’s life. Instead, I am becoming aware that I should focus on the present situation of working towards my degree that will eventually lead to achieving my other goals. I cannot focus on the future before conquering the present.
Thankfully even through my early moments of self-doubt and stress, my family has been an added foundation and support system. Both Gardner and Wooden stress that the success of a leader is not based on solely a leader’s professional, or in my case educational life, but similarly a leader has to have success in their personal life. The moral and emotional support that my family has given me has motivated and influenced myself to continue on my path of happiness and success (Gardner, 1990; Wooden 2005). Even though my family is not necessarily mentors in the professional sense; they are mentors in my life because they have guided me and instilled in me life lessons of respect, confidence, and a hard work ethic that has allowed me to continue working towards my ultimate goal.
I am thankful to have a support system such as my family who motivates and inspires me each and everyday. However, a “person must gain the necessary knowledge of self” (Gardner, 1990). Therefore, it is gratifying to finally not only have confidence, but faith and self-assurance that all of the hard work and dedication that I am and have put into my work, both professionally and academically, are beginning to pay off. The road of acknowledging self-worth is a direct reflection that my goal to bettering my family, bettering myself, and becoming a leader is soon within my reach.
Ultimately, reading both John Gardner and Coach John Wooden’s books have illustrated that leaders responsibilities and position will vary depending on their specific task. However, an effective leader will always strive for the same thing—making sure that those that a leader is working for and with will obtain success as well. Both On Leadership and Wooden On Leadership have taught me that a leader does not fit a certain mold or are born with leadership characteristics, we learn through life experiences and through support systems if leadership is a destined life positions. Reading these two leadership books, have allowed me to step back from my daily realities and realize that my purpose in life in getting my degree has made me into a leader. I will become the transformational leader (Bass,2008)(Burton, Damon, & Peachy, 2015) that will inspire and help my family achieve the dreams and goals that they aspire to achieve as well. Within this specific moment in my life, I am assured of who I am, my goals, and my self-worth. I am confident enough in my present life that my future is made to help change my life and the lives of those around me for the better; that is my dream as a leader.