--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I was 17, I made the decision to…" description: "\"When I was 17, I made the decision to have a good attitude. I was a junior in high school; the coach said I was going to be the captain of my basketba..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/john-c-maxwell-113_attitude_when-i-was-17-i-made-the-decision-to-hav_548147.jpg" --- # When I was 17, I made the decision to have a good… ![“When I was 17, I made the decision to have a good attitude. I was a junior in high school; the coach said I was going to be the captain of my basketball team. I thought – that surprised me because I wasn’t the best player. John Thomas was better than me, and I was probably second or third best…” quote by John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/john-c-maxwell-113_attitude_when-i-was-17-i-made-the-decision-to-hav_548147.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/john-c-maxwell-113_attitude_when-i-was-17-i-made-the-decision-to-hav_548147.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/john-c-maxwell-113_attitude_when-i-was-17-i-made-the-decision-to-hav_548147.jpg) > “When I was 17, I made the decision to have a good attitude. I was a junior in high school; the coach said I was going to be the captain of my basketball team. I thought – that surprised me because I wasn’t the best player. John Thomas was better than me, and I was probably second or third best player. And I kept thinking, “Why am I going to be the captain?” I think everybody else was thinking that too. And the coach then answered, “The reason John is going to be the captain is he has the best attitude on the team. He encourages others, he believes we can win, he never gives up.”” [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leadership is earned through attitude, not just skill; a positive mindset inspires and sustains team success. **In simple terms:** Attitude matters more than talent. Key Takeaway Cultivate a positive attitude to lead. Themes leadership attitude teamwork Mood inspired determined Type motivational leadership When to use this quote - high school sports - team projects - workplace teams - community groups Key Concepts Motivation resilience influence Questions to Reflect On - How can you model a positive attitude when faced with personal doubt? - What steps help you maintain optimism in a struggling team? A Different Perspective Attitude alone may not compensate for lack of competence in high‑stakes situations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Basketball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball/) [Basketball team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/basketball-team/) [Best attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-attitude/) [Best players](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-players/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-up/) [Good attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-attitude/) [High school](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-school/) [Never giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never-giving-up/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [School](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/school/) [Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/team/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Winning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winning/) ## Related quotes > [I was a biology major. But I also happened to be captain of the basketball team and first chair in band.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ser-darius-blain/i-was-a-biology-major-but-i-also-happened-to-be-captain-of-the/) [Ser'Darius Blain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ser-darius-blain/) > [Sports were a big part of my life. I was the captain of the basketball team in high school, and captain of the basketball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-w-rogers-jr/sports-were-a-big-part-of-my-life-i-was-the-captain-of-the-basketball/) [John W. Rogers, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-w-rogers-jr/) > [At 15, 16, you think you're going to be captain of England. But I realised it wasn't going to happen for me on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aidy-boothroyd/at-15-16-you-think-you-re-going-to-be-captain-of-england-but-i/) [Aidy Boothroyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aidy-boothroyd/) > [Mayday! Mayday! This ship's going down. And as your captain, I'm ready to drown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/mayday-mayday-this-ship-s-going-down-and-as-your-captain-i-m-ready-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Attitudes are nothing more than habits of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/attitudes-are-nothing-more-than-habits-of-thought/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Good attitudes among players do not guarantee a team's success, but bad attitudes guarantee it's failure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/good-attitudes-among-players-do-not-guarantee-a-team-s-success-but/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I remember as a seventeen-year-old kid saying, "If attitude made me captain of this team, I'm going to have a good attitude all my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-remember-as-a-seventeen-year-old-kid-saying-if-attitude-made-me/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Usually the person who rises within an organization has a good attitude. The promotions did not give that individual an outstanding attitude, but an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/usually-the-person-who-rises-within-an-organization-has-a-good/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [“Put yourself in the driver seat by designing the best attitude possible to help you get where you need and want to go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/put-yourself-in-the-driver-seat-by-designing-the-best-attitude/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [You are overcome by the fact because you think you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/you-are-overcome-by-the-fact-because-you-think-you-are/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [The winner's edge is all in the attitude, not aptitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-waitley/the-winner-s-edge-is-all-in-the-attitude-not-aptitude/) [Denis Waitley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-waitley/) > [The good believer is one who is best in attitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie/the-good-believer-is-one-who-is-best-in-attitude/) [Rosie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie/) > [A decorator, no matter how talented, can't always get the desired results because sometimes there is resistance or maybe a lack of understanding on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-hadley/a-decorator-no-matter-how-talented-can-t-always-get-the-desired/) [Albert Hadley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-hadley/) > [Everyone has his burden. What counts is how you carry it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merle-miller/everyone-has-his-burden-what-counts-is-how-you-carry-it/) [Merle Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merle-miller/) > [The best attitude to receive the Pope's teachings is to understand that he is a religious leader and the essence of his message comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcelo-sanchez-sorondo/the-best-attitude-to-receive-the-pope-s-teachings-is-to-understand/) Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo ## More by John C. Maxwell > [“Why do so many people do nothing? I think it’s because most of us look at the evils and injustice around us, and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/why-do-so-many-people-do-nothing-i-think-it-s-because-most-of-us-look/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [You cannot have growth without change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/you-cannot-have-growth-without-change/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/change-is-inevitable-growth-is-optional/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Goals not only help you develop initial motivation by making your dreams obtainable, but they also help you continue to be motivated and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/goals-not-only-help-you-develop-initial-motivation-by-making-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Vision is a picture of a desired future; a picture of something that I don't possess right now, but it is something I want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/vision-is-a-picture-of-a-desired-future-a-picture-of-something-that-i/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [If you want to make your mother happy, talk to her. If you want to make your father happy, listen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/if-you-want-to-make-your-mother-happy-talk-to-her-if-you-want-to-make/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Experiences isn't the best teacher - evaluated experience is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/experiences-isn-t-the-best-teacher-evaluated-experience-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A big man is one who makes us feel bigger when we are with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-big-man-is-one-who-makes-us-feel-bigger-when-we-are-with-him/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Passion gives you an advantage over others, because one person with passion is greater than ninety-nine who have only an interest!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/passion-gives-you-an-advantage-over-others-because-one-person-with/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I thought if I was open and honest, it would help the reader to get open and honest, and they also would realize sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/i-thought-if-i-was-open-and-honest-it-would-help-the-reader-to-get/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A person who has a dream knows what he is willing to give up in order to go up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/a-person-who-has-a-dream-knows-what-he-is-willing-to-give-up-in-order/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [The bottom line on attitude is that a good one helps to increase your possibilities. Pessimists usually get what they expect. So do optimists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/the-bottom-line-on-attitude-is-that-a-good-one-helps-to-increase-your/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Working together precedes winning together...collaboration is multiplication.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/working-together-precedes-winning-together-collaboration-is/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Leaders don't rise to the pinnacle of success without developing the right set of attitudes and habits; they make every day a masterpiece.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/leaders-don-t-rise-to-the-pinnacle-of-success-without-developing-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [Your leadership skills determine the level of your success, and the success of those who work around you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/your-leadership-skills-determine-the-level-of-your-success-and-the/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) [Explore all 1,233 John C. Maxwell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I was 17, I made the decision to have a good attitude. I was a junior in high school; the coach said I was going to be the captain of my basketball team. I thought – that surprised me because I wasn’t the best player. 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