Lessons from the Legends: The Definite Dozen and the Pyramid of Success

Simple human dignity... Focus on character rather than reputation. Humility... Never thinking you know it all and always hungry to learn.... Generosity and compassion to everyone in need no matter how tough things may be in your own life... Kindness even to those who treat you unfairly... A smile and irrepressible sense of humor even in the face of the cruelest blow one can receive... Purpose centered—not self-centered... Putting the team before yourself... Building loyalty by BEING loyal... Disagreeing without being disagreeable... Telling the truth even when it’s hard to do so... Family first... WE-GO not ego... Respect for others and yourself... Competitive greatness... Pat Summitt and John Wooden exemplified all these powerful principles and much, much, more. They were two legendary leaders whose teachings are more important and timelier than ever before.

The time has never been more perfect to learn from real heroes, one a man and one a woman, one from the East one from the West, one all passion and intensity, the other calm and even-keeled, both of whose teaching, foundational principles, and most of all, real life examples provide a winning game plan to help us all re-focus on character rather than reputation, reason over ratings, humility over hype, and excellence over ego. And not only did Pat Summitt and John Wooden exemplify this extraordinary level of integrity, they proved that it provides a championship formula that generates remarkable results. When you live with this focus over time as did these two legends, your character will become your reputation.

Both Coach Wooden and Coach Summitt taught, "It's amazing what's accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit." Credit is something you GIVE, responsibility something you take! When you demonstrate that correct give and take, you build people, teams, and relationships that elevate your family, your community, and the world.