Written by Eric Z. Lucas   

“True success can be attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing that you did everything within the limits of your ability to become the very best that you are capable of becoming.” Coach John Wooden


The Myth of Ruthlessness

We all know the saying: “Nice guys finish last.” We all feel the fear inherent in these words. But is this assertion even accurate? I say it is not and I have proof.

ESPN writer Tim Keown expressed the current version of this mythology in his article entitled: “Failure lies with Dolphin Leadership.” In his article he states the current view as follows:

"Beneath the disgusting details of threats and taunts and racism lies an uncomfortable truth: The NFL needs Richie Incognito more than it needs Jonathan Martin.

Coaches love players like Incognito. They look at guys like Martin, known as soft-spoken and thoughtful while at Stanford, with skepticism. Does he have the killer instinct? Does he care enough? Those questions don't apply to Incognito. Coaches might not want to see him after hours, but they love him on the field. He's indispensable, a tone-setter, the guy who announces your team's presence with a crazed, through-the-whistle style that is prized at every level.

Coaches chuckle among themselves: He might be a horrible human being, but he's our horrible human being. Sociopathic behavior from players at certain positions is not only tolerated but cherished. As long as it stays out of the headlines and the police blotters -- in other words, as long as it's kept in-house -- it provides the kind of toughness you need to compete."


Richie Incognito

November 4, 2013, Richie Incognito was suspended indefinitely from the Miami Dolphins because of threats, taunts and racist comments he made to fellow teammate and offensive linemen Jonathan Martin. Incognito is part of the Dolphins six-player leadership council. Apparently, Incognito is the team enforcer. He is the guy you go to when you want other teammates to “man-up.” He appears to be the soul of ruthlessness.

Keown described him as “indispensable”, “a tone-setter”, “the guy who announces your team's presence,” and “crazed.” He said that this kind of guy is “prized” in football “at every level.” And even though his coaches and evaluators would describe him as a “horrible person” and even a “sociopath” he was “cherished” as a player because of what is viewed as his “toughness.”

Coach Joe Philbin tried to disavow Incognito’s criminal behavior with this statement to the media quoted in the ESPN article: “Martin Never Approached Joe Philbin:”

""The usually docile Philbin became somewhat emotional while addressing the media Monday, taking the blame for the environment that was created in his locker room.

"I want you to know, as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, I am in charge of the workplace atmosphere," Philbin said. "Since April 10, 2012, when players first came here … every decision I've made, everything we've done at this facility was done with one thing in mind: that is to help our players and our organization to reach their full potential. Any type of conduct and behavior that detracts from that objective will not be tolerated.""

Anyone reading this quote should be a little amazed. “Everything” they did was directed to help the players reach their full potential? Really? Then either they do not know what “full potential” means or he is not telling the complete truth.


Coach John Wooden, Winning and Character

Anyone who knows sports (I almost said American History) knows about the career of basketball coach John Wooden. He became a legend while coaching at UCLA. At UCLA he won ten NCAA National Championships – seven of them in a row. He preached character and is known for stressing character in the development of a winning attitude in his players. He immortalized his philosophy in a diagram all coaches in every sport are aware of called “The Pyramid of Success.” Nowhere on that pyramid will you find the word “intimidation” or any sort of concept of bullying.

Three of the blocks in the pyramid are: “team spirit”, “friendship” and “loyalty.” Could any of the actions Incognito took towards Martin be seen as contained in any of these concepts, which Coach Wooden saw as essential to winning?

About his system, and winning Coach Wooden said:

"True success can be attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing that you did everything within the limits of your ability to become the very best that you are capable of becoming. Therefore, in the final analysis only the individual himself can correctly determine his success. You may be able to fool others, but you can never truly deceive yourself, except perhaps for a short time.

It is impossible to attain perfection, but that should be the goal. Less than 100 percent of your effort in every respect toward attaining your objective is not success, regardless of individual honors received or the number of games won or lost."

The point here is that in order to have a winning attitude, you must have an internal attitude of the highest character. In fact, he is saying that no matter what the external measure of winning is you should not consider yourself a winner unless you KNOW YOU HAVE DONE EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO BE THE BEST YOU ARE CAPABLE OF.

Coach Wooden proved this was a winning philosophy. So given these facts, and they are proven FACTS: the idea that ruthlessness is somehow the key to winning is just pure fiction. The idea that we should hold someone up like Incognito as a team leader and an exemplar is simply ridiculous. It is laughable. And the Miami Dolphins are 4-4.

Killing the Myth: John Wooden Disciples

There are many John Wooden disciples. One very prominent one is NFL Coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks. Now I would never say the Seahawks are perfect or that every player is an exemplar of Coach Wooden’s philosophy. But in his book Win Forever Coach Carroll says:

"What if my job as a coach isn’t so much to force or coerce performance as it is to create situations where players develop the confidence to set their talents free and pursue their potential to its full extent? What if my job as a coach is really to prove to these kids how good they already are, how good they could possibly become, and that they are truly capable of high-level performance?"

Read his book. He attributes this philosophy to Coach John Wooden and the psychologist Abraham Maslow. And on November 4, 2013, the Seahawks were 8-1.

The facts show that cultivating character generates success. The alleged success of ruthlessness is sheer mythology. Let’s abandon it.