During my tenure as CEO, I had the privilege of leading some incredibly talented teams and coaching our leaders through what team members commonly referred to as “huddles”. The purpose of the “huddle” was to recognize team member performance, provide guidance, listen intently to those who represented the voices of our employees across North America and ultimately, challenge their thinking in ways that fostered continued learning and leadership development. These “huddles” culminated with a final takeaway, designed to inspire and generate action as they returned “back into the game” of leading their own teams.
These particular “huddles” were held monthly and were intentionally set aside time for leadership development. They were not forums for financial management or other tactical discussions – rest assured, we had plenty of those focused meetings, where we reviewed financial performance, KPIs and stakeholder objectives. The “huddle” however, was designed to be different.
For one particularly memorable “huddle”, I sent a package to each of the senior leaders in advance. The contents included:
The Wisdom of Wooden: My Century On and Off the Court, a book authored by one of my favorite mentors and one of the most respected leaders in American sports history - the legendary UCLA Men’s Basketball Coach, John Wooden;
A note on Coach Wooden for those less familiar: John Wooden coached the UCLA Men’s Basketball team to ten NCAA Championships in twelve years, including an unprecedented seven consecutive titles. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time, in basketball and in leadership. His "Pyramid of Success" and timeless principles on character, preparation, and integrity have influenced leaders across industries for decades. He passed away in June of 2010 at the age of 99, just weeks after completing his final book, the one I sent to my senior leaders.
A basketball-themed notebook and pen for capturing content for a challenge assignment given to each team member - with the winner receiving a personal autograph from Coach Wooden;
A personalized, handwritten note from me to each team member expressing my genuine gratitude for their continued commitment and ongoing leadership;
… and four Wooden Nickels and a laminated note card (see cover photo).
The card read as follows:
It is the responsibility of those who lead to carry the torch for those who mentored us along the way. Their example, which we model in many ways, continues to make up the fiber of our own actions on a daily basis. Keep this “Wooden Nickel” in a place where it will serve as a reminder of the significance of your responsibility and the important contributions other have made in forming our opinions, attitudes, and behaviors as leaders. There are four “Wooden Nickels” that accompany this card:
Keep one for yourself, from me to you, as a constant reminder that YOU DO make a difference in the lives of others----never take it for granted;
Distribute the other three “Wooden Nickels” to individuals who have made a significant impression on you throughout the course of your career and thank them for their inspiration in helping you become the leader you are today. I can think of no greater rewards, as a leader, than to receive a token that would mean as much……
….Aspire to Inspire!
~Kelly Evans
When was the last time you took the time to thank a leader who inspired you in your journey?
Maybe it’s time to hand out a few “Wooden Nickels”.
Authored By: Kelly Evans, Director
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