Every business aspires to achieve its goals and objectives. Attainment of success is an involving matter that requires the commitment of all those tasked with various activities within the enterprise. Failure or underperformance from any individual presents harmful impacts on the stability and financial capability of an establishment (Whitten, Giesecke & Ogunnaike, 2015). This paper explains John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success; the model’s relevance to the modern business environment and the validity of the models aspect.
John Wooden’s pyramid of success plays a significant role in enhancing the success of businesses in the contemporary times. The model offers a broad range of facts whose achievement has the potency of improving efficient business management across varying circumstances (Wooden & Carty, 2005). For example, application of the model is of great significance to modern days organizations such as Google, Starbucks and others because many of the current businesses face with numerous challenges that require effective leadership to enhance success. For instance, business project leaders have a duty to be industrious, loyal, enthusiastic, and collaborative and improve a business friendly environment if they are to provide objective leadership (Whitten, et al., 2015).
The five blocks outlined in the Pyramid are essential if businesses are to have a sense of direction and efficiently combat workplace and external challenges. The foundation blocks play a vital role in the enhancement of an entrepreneurial culture that prioritizes the need to succeed. For example, a leader who is not passionate about his job and who is lazy, uncooperative, disloyal, and unfriendly to employees cannot effectively make employees observe these provisions and, therefore, is doomed to fail (Wooden & Carty, 2005).
The second level up from the bottom of the pyramid presents values that modern business leaders can rely on in a bid to provide good leadership. Wooden identifies the need for contemporary leaders to display a great sense of wisdom, alertness, self-control, intentness and initiative. That those tasked with leadership must be sovereign over their emotions and should invoke their sense in making concrete decisions, enhancing self-control, and coming up with new strategies meant to increase the dominance of their businesses (Wooden & Carty, 2005). Example of these leaders includes Howard Schultz, Starbuck’s. Modern business leaders should make followers convey diligence as well as determination to their tasks. For instance, a leader who lacks self-control will experience severe spells of frictions with employees that affect negatively on the productivity of the business (Whitten, et al., 2015).
In the third step from the bottom of the pyramid, Wooden enumerates the significance of leaders having good physical, mental as well as a moral condition to deliver on their mandate. Wooden also emphasizes that leaders must possess the relevant skills and must be able to enhance teamwork among all employees (Wooden & Carty, 2005). Next Wooden notes that leaders should be poised and must have confidence in their actions so as to effect their beliefs without fear. The final block of the pyramid addresses competitive greatness that requires leaders to be the best they can be by utilizing all their skills and talents for the benefit of the business. For example, if a manager does not use his expertise and skills effectively in enhancing leadership it then follows that he will not advance effective strategies to solve the increasing demands of the contemporary business world (Wooden & Jamison, 2004).
In a bid to effect effective leadership, I apply a democratic approach to leadership. Democratic style of leadership allows for the involvement of all within the organization in the running of the affairs of the organization. The leadership style enhances mutual trust among employee, high motivation levels, gives employees a greater autonomy in their working and hence allows them to initiate ways of dealing with the new challenges they experience. Employees also benefit from a friendly work environment that contributes to promoting job satisfaction among them (Whitten, et al., 2015).
My temperament, thinking styles, motivation pattern, expectations, character, and leadership philosophy have a fundamental role in enhancing the success of my organization. For example, my friendly nature promotes a peaceful environment and, as a result, limited conflicts are evident. Being generous to employees makes them feel valued, and this raises their commitment levels which in turn enhances the success of the organization. Secondly, motivating employee efforts is one area which is highly prioritized. Employees who meet the set targets are given rewards in the form of promotions and monetary rewards and as a result, employees have an inherent desire to achieve the goals of the organization.
My third example is based on my leadership philosophy. Contrary to many leaders who have limited touch with issues at lower levels of their organization, my leadership philosophy is informed by the principle of servant leadership and as a result, I make conduct with all employees every day. This theory helps employees notice my passion towards my job as well as my desire to promote hard work. Employees, therefore, can replicate my commitment thereby enhancing the success of my organization.
Wooden’s pyramid of success discusses 15 aspects which are arranged in five blocks. I agree with Wooden that the identified points have a fundamental role in enhancing success in business (Wooden & Jamison, 2004). For instance, the aspects of friendship, enthusiasm, industrious, loyalty, and cooperation are important for a stable business is to be established. These points form the basis of interactions in business and as a result, enhance success. The aspects of self-control, alertness, initiative and intentness are critical in that they foster objectivity in leadership. Aspects of the condition, skills, and teamwork are also important because they enhance the establishment of a common goal in the organization. I also agree with Woodson’s points in the second block which address poise and confidence.
According to Wooden & Jamison (2005), it is indeed true that effective leaders have to be true to themselves as well as remain confidence in enhancing controversial business strategies geared towards increasing success. The very first aspect of Wooden’s pyramid and which I agree with is competitive greatness. This point is important because it enables leaders to display command by applying their skills and talents to the best interest of the business. Whereas I agree with Woodson’s aspects, I greatly disagree with his view that assessment is not significant in the process of trying to achieve success.
Pyramid of Success based on John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success
Competitive greatness
Emotional Ecology
Industriousness
Using the Model to Deal with Crises
Basing on Wooden leaders can come up with a five-step strategy that can be used by self-directed project members of the team to adapt to various project-related crises. first it is important to form a positive working atmosphere for the team through friendship, cooperation, and loyalty (Wooden & Jamison 2005). This would help the members to focus on solving their challenges through their enthusiasm and industriousness. Secondly, after establishing the required climate it is time to review new opportunities, align and then aligning them with the objectives and the available resources taking necessary actions, monitoring the level of the progress and other desired changes. These help in accepting various transformations as the critical part of change (Wooden & Jamison 2004).
In the third step, the aspect of team empowerment comes into place where team members are tasked with ensuring everything is in proper shape possess sufficient skills and information to their duties. This forms part of motivation to contribute towards team success. Finally, there is need for the team to focus on the best they can to reach their potential also known as competitive greatness (Wooden & Jamison 2004).
References
Whitten, C. W., Giesecke, N. M., & Ogunnaike, B. O. (2015). Leadership During a Time of Transition. ASA Newsletter, 79(10), 16-17.
Wooden, J., & Carty, J. (2005). Coach Wooden's pyramid of success. Ventura, Calif.: Regal.
Wooden, J., & Jamison, S. (2004). My personal best. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Wooden, J., & Jamison, S. (2005). Wooden on leadership. New York: McGraw-Hill.
