The Essential Wooden: A Lifetime of Lessons on Leaders and Leadership

PREFACE

by Steve Jamison

PLAY TO WIN

Seated across from John Wooden in the den of the home where he’s lived for more than three decades, one suddenly—unexpectedly—discerns in his eyes the cold, calculating look of a lion measuring its prey: “We play to win,” he says in a flat, hard tone. “Do I have to tell people that we play to win?”

There is annoyance in his voice—now more stern: “I wanted to win every single game I ever played or coached. Who would think otherwise? We play to win.” And John Wooden did.

Without warning, the great competitive fire of one of the greatest team builders and competitors in the history of American sports has revealed itself. He is 95 years old—the lion in late winter. Still able to send a chill down your spine ...