Leadership Quotes by John Wooden

Be true to yourself. Be true to those you lead.

— John Wooden

Dictators lead through fear; good coaches do not.

— John Wooden

Character is more important than any other leadership trait.

— John Wooden

A Coach must never forget that he is a leader and not merely a person with authority.

— John Wooden

There is no more powerful leadership tool than your own personal example.

— John Wooden

It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit.

— John Wooden

A leader’s most powerful ally is his or her own example.

— John Wooden

A good banker isn't careless with pennies; a good leader isn't sloppy about details.

— John Wooden

As a leader, you will receive a large amount of praise and criticism and you should not unduly affected by either.

— John Wooden

Without organization and leadership toward a realistic goal, there is no chance of realizing more than a small percentage of your potential.

— John Wooden

Mentors are available at all stages of your leadership life - early, middle and late. Seek them out and listen; absorb their…

— John Wooden

I think that in any group activity - whether it be business, sports, or family - there has to be leadership or…

— John Wooden

A strong leader accepts blame and gives the credit. A weak leader gives blame and accepts the credit.

— John Wooden

I think that in any group activity - whether it be business, sports, or family - there has to be leadership or…

— John Wooden

Leadership is the ability to get individuals to work together for the common good and the best possible results while at the…

— John Wooden

Many leaders don't listen, and it is one of the greatest methods we have of learning. You need to listen to those…

— John Wooden

I worry that business leaders are more interested in material gain than they are in having the patience to build up a…

— John Wooden

I believe one of the requirements of good leadership is the ability to listen - really listen - to those in your…

— John Wooden

Knowledge is not enough to get desired results. You must have the more elusive ability to teach and to motivate. This defines…

— John Wooden

The true leader isn't really looking for leadership. He's trying to set an example and be in the proper way to get…

— John Wooden

Lead, don't drive. And give credit. Don't blame. If an officer on your team suggested something and it worked well, give them…

— John Wooden

Not everyone is equipped to be a leader, but in a sense, everyone is a leader to someone, even though you're not…

— John Wooden

As a leader, you must be filled with energy and eagerness, joy and love for what you do. If you lack enthusiasm…

— John Wooden

Leaders must have patience for those under your supervision. Don't expect too much too soon. Maybe it was easy for you, but…

— John Wooden

The leader has to command the respect of all those under his supervision - and he must be open to those under…

— John Wooden

First, do not betray yourself. Second, do not betray those you lead.

— John Wooden

A leader must listen to those under their supervision.

— John Wooden

Effective leaders are, first and foremost, good teachers. We're in the education business.

— John Wooden

What a leader learns after you've learned it all counts most of all.

— John Wooden

The most powerful leadership tool you have is your personal example.

— John Wooden

Great leaders are always out front with a banner, instead of behind with a whip.

— John Wooden

An effective leader allows exceptions to the rule for exceptional results or when circumstance demands.

— John Wooden

Work without joy is drudgery. Drudgery does not produce champions, nor does it produce great organizations.

— John Wooden

An effective leader develops the ability to correctly identify the pertinent detail or details - incidentals in a market, industry or sport…

— John Wooden

“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty (Proverbs 21:5).”

— John Wooden

In my opinion, being an effective leader requires being an effective listener. The most productive leaders are usually those who are consistently…

— John Wooden

Good coaching is about leadership and instilling respect in your players. Dictators lead through fear - good coaches do not.

— John Wooden

“there is one similarity between a prison guard and a leader: Both have the final word. When a decision is made, it…

— John Wooden

While you, the leader, can teach many things, character is not taught easily to adults who arrive at your desk lacking it.…

— John Wooden