Dinnertime: Coach John Wooden

You know that question, “If you could have dinner with (some number) of people, who would they be and why?”  (Or something similar).  It is an intensely difficult question to answer, especially when there are no parameters.

So, starting today some insights from the best; from people worth having dinner with.  In honor of the March Madness apex this week: Coach John Wooden, the greatest basketball coach (teacher?) ever.  His definition of success, “Peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable.”

http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf

The video is from a speech at TED in 2001, the insights of which can be deployed in your health care world:

Three rules he used to govern his team, insight he received from his father:

1. Never be late.
2. No profanity.
3. Never criticize a teammate.

Another set of three, also from his father:

1. Don’t whine.
2. Don’t complain.
3. Don’t make excuses.

A couple of more thoughts:

In whatever you do, you must have patience.
There is no progress without change.
Things will work out as they should providing we do what we should.

While all very good, the never be late may be the most poignant lesson for health care.  Oh the possibilities.