Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court

Pride or Punishment

Joshua Wooden was a disciplinarian, but not from a physical point of view. I’d almost rather have taken a whipping than hear him say he was disappointed in something I’d done.

I wanted to please him and not let him down with my behavior. It wasn’t a fear of punishment that motivated me. It was my desire to live up to his model and expectations.

Later, as a teacher, I wanted those under my own supervision to be motivated in the same way, to strive to be their best because I believed in them rather than from any fear of punishment.