Are You Playing to Win?

“The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure.”

“Winning is a habit. Unfortunately so is losing.” – Vince Lombardi

My wife hates going with me to our daughters’ sporting events. I’m a consultant. Need I say more? Although I’m only passively involved in their sports, if our team is losing, I tell her why and who is responsible. When there is no obvious reason why we are losing, such as a superstar on the other team, I study the coaches’ actions to pin the blame. I am seldom wrong. See why she can’t enjoy herself?

I strongly believe that winning and losing are in large part predetermined by who is leading. I have observed that many people are happy just to play the game. Others play “not to lose.” But there are always a few who “play to win.” How can two coaches have similar player talent, yet one will go undefeated, and the other coach will enter each game with a 50-50 chance of victory? Because, only a few actually play to win.

A friend recently suggested I read the story of Coach John Wooden’s remarkable success as coach of the UCLA basketball team. Coach Wooden had led the Bruins to victory in the NCAA National Championships in ten of his last twelve seasons before retiring in 1975. In an environment where each team’s top talent graduates each year, his consistency was nothing short of incredible.

Is there a secret to his success? Yes. He played to win. Of all the attributes that made up Coach Wooden’s effectiveness, the one that transcends them all was his reliance on a simple and basic plan – mastering the fundamentals. There are many offensive and defensive strategies in basketball, but he perfected the man-on-man defense and the simple high-post offense. The opposing scouts didn’t even need to watch his games, because the plan was always the same. It stayed the same for his entire forty year coaching career. The other teams just couldn’t stop it.

It was not always fun or personally gratifying to play on Wooden’s team, but it was always beneficial. It’s been said, if you think it’s hell to live with a winner, try living with a loser. There is nothing more frustrating than a vacuum in leadership. On the other hand, history is replete with examples of leaders taking directionless misfits and turning them into champions.

The following is a list of leadership traits I consider essential to achieve effectiveness, if not greatness. The best leaders possess them all in varying degrees. I have seen similar lists by John Wooden, Rudy Giuliani, Benjamin Franklin, General Schwarzkopf, and Stephen Covey, to name but a few, and they all differ in subtle ways. But when someone decides to play to win, I don’t think you will find these traits lacking:

Positive self-esteem. Leaders consider themselves worthy to lead, yet possess humility and a balanced life, making them attractive to their followers.
Vision. Leaders inject passion into the organization through their vision. It is, by far, the leader’s most important and difficult job.
Planning. Leaders create a plan that can win, yet understand it may change.
Strategy. Leaders execute a strategy that capitalizes on their resources.
Focus. Leaders focus themselves and their organizations on the desired results.
Influence. Leaders affect others as much by who they are as what they do.
Communication skills. Leaders realize this is a skill worthy of lifelong effort.
Knowledge. Leaders ask questions, study results, and try new things, looking for improvement.
Persistence. Leaders never quit.
Association with other winners. Leaders know that steel sharpens steel.

There are few things more amazing than effective leadership. The hallmark of great leaders is the mark they leave on those they lead. For some people, it comes naturally. For most, it is a conscious and deliberate discipline. Regardless, it is the most important role to ensure progress. It requires introspection, knowledge of leadership styles, and an understanding of the situations requiring leadership. If you choose to be a leader, or have it thrust upon you, play to make a difference, play to be remembered, play to win.