SWENSDAY STUFF

No Ifs, Ands, or Buts
Swen Nater

What is the definition of a “game?” I suppose it depends on who you ask. The spectator may believe a game is a process to determine the winner. To a young player it may be a way to have fun. To the serious athlete, a game may be a way to test his or her skills against another. To some, it may simply be a diversion or means of amusement. To the school principal, a game may be one component of a well-rounded education. To the mother, a game may be a way for her child to develop the habit of physical conditioning. To the father, it could be a test to see if his child is a “winner” or “loser.”

But we’ve left someone out—the coach. What is a game to a coach? Again, that depends on the coach. To some—especially one that has a mediocre team—a game may be simply something to get “through.” Those who coach contenders may think of a game as a measure of how good they are compared to the other coaches. See what I mean? But what was “a game” to Coach Wooden?

During the 1969-70 season, my first year at UCLA, I only practiced with the team; I didn’t play in games or travel. Not too long before the playoffs started, we lost a game to Notre Dame, in South Bend, Indiana. The next practice session was interesting. I didn’t know what to expect. It was the first loss of the year (and the only one). When Coach Wooden blew the whistle to start practice, like always, we met at center court. Prior to that day, he always addressed us with something positive, encouraging, or even humorous.

To my surprise, that day was no exception. Coach didn’t say a word about the loss. I know coaches that would have pointed the finger at certain players or on the team as a whole. They mean well because they are trying to identify, what they believe to be, the reasons for the loss and, therefore, a “to do list” for player improvement. But Coach believed the one that needed to improve was him. He believed, if the team had not learned, he had not taught. How did I know that? You should have seen that guy teach that day; he was never in better form. 

What is a game? It’s a test, not for the players, but for the coach. A game is a quiz or midterm exam that divulges and exposes what the coach has taught, or has not taught, up to that point. A game is an indispensible step to success that, if used correctly, is a point of appraisal—a springboard to change, then progress, and finally the approaching of one’s potential. 

The concept of a leader taking full responsibility for team performance is not at all limited to sports.
• For a classroom teacher, an exam is a test of how well the he or she has taught.
• For the principal, the performance of the school is a test of how well the teachers have been taught.
• For the CEO, the bottom line is a reflection on how well she has taught those under her.
• The quality of the music, on performance night, is the sole responsibility of the conductor.
• The quality of a film is the report card, handed to the director.

For anyone who has others under his or her supervision, the performance of the workers is not a reflection on their competence or abilities. On the contrary, employee performance mirrors the competence and abilities of the supervisor.

You say, “But what IF they don’t do as I say? AND what about workers that don’t have the talent? BUT I don’t have the facilities and staff?” To that I say, “No Ifs, Ands, or Buts.”

“If the learner hasn’t learned, the teacher hasn’t taught.”
Training Within Industry