I try to keep my non-business interests (such as college basketball and my favorite team winning a national championship) out of this blog but the passing of John Wooden last weekend is something I think trancends sports.

John Wooden was not just an amazing college basketball coach (having won twice as many men's national championships as the next closest coach) but he was also an amazing teacher and leader.  His "Pyramid of Success" succinctly lays out his basic principles for being successful. Traits such as Cooperation, Initiative and Poise. He has written a number of books on leadership and the lessons he teaches are applicable to the business world.

Even his quotes (Woodenisms) are applicable to business. Things like:

"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."

 Or

"If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes."

That last one is particularly applicable to business. If we are doing anything important, we are most likely making mistakes. The key is how we learn from those and move forward.

When you have the chance, look up some of the wisdom of Coach Wooden, he is a remarkable person.