pyramid of success

Industriousness

In plain and simple English this means hard work. Very hard work. There is no substitute for very hard work when it comes to success.

I have not known, heard of, or read about any individual anywhere who achieved real success without working extremely hard. In fact, the great successes we all know about are individuals who almost always have greatly outworked their competition.

Grantland Rice, a sportswriter and poet, understood this fundamental characteristic of achievement. He described it in his poem "How To Be a Champion."

"You wonder how they do it, You look to see the knack. You watch the foot in action, Or the shoulder of the back. But when you spot the answer, Where the higher glamours lurk, You'll find in moving higher, Up the laurel-covered spire, That most of it is practice, And the rest of it is work."

Friendship

The two qualities of Friendship that are so important are respect and camaraderie. To me these are the most noteworthy characteristics of true Friendship as it pertains to leadership. Think how much you'll give when asked to do so by someone you respect and with whom you share camaraderie. You will give plenty, all you've got.

Thus, I sought and valued these two particular qualities of Friendship in my relationship with individuals on the UCLA men's basketball team. I did not seek their affection nor wish to become buddies. Mutual respect and camaraderie strengthen your team. Affection, in fact, may weaken it by tempting you to play favorites.

Where Friendship exists you will find the makings of a formidable organization. That is why it is in the foundation of the Pyramid.

Loyalty

Loyalty is part of our higher nature and it is also part of the nature of leaders who achieve higher goals. The power of Loyalty is the reason I placed it in the center of the Pyramid's foundation.

A leader who has Loyalty is the leader whose team I wish to be a part of. This is true almost everywhere. Most people, the overwhelming majority of us, wish to be in an organization or part of a team whose leadership cares about them, provides fairness and respect, dignity and consideration.

Loyalty from the top inspires Loyalty from below. It is a most precious and powerful commodity and it starts with the leader.