Coach John Wooden’s Approach to Team Standards

In this episode of The Daily Coach newsletter in audio form, we explore the truth about standards, fairness, and what great leadership really demands.

At UCLA in the 1970s, Coach John Wooden didn’t hold everyone to the same rules. When questioned, his response was clear: “I don’t have a double standard. I have 12 different standards—one for each player.” He understood that leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about knowing your people, their roles, and what brings out their best.

This episode challenges the myth of uniformity—and reminds us that real leadership is personalized, principled, and rooted in purpose.

Lastly, we’re inviting your feedback on this new audio initiative. Do you prefer multiple stories in one episode each week, or shorter, single-story episodes each day? Share your thoughts in the episode’s comments or message us directly at newsletter@thedaily.coach.

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Remember: The most important person you will ever lead is yourself. Keep growing. Keep learning. And most importantly, keep showing up.