Be Quick - But Don't Hurry

Finding Success in the Teachings of a Lifetime

By: Andrew Hill, John Wooden - introduction

Narrated by: Andrew Hill

Be Quick, But Don't Hurry presents the team-building management secrets of the greatest coach of the twentieth century, cloaked in the heartwarming tale of the reluctant protege who learned those secrets in spite of himself.

Perhaps the least controversial sports honor in living memory was the selection of John Wooden as "Coach of the Century" by ESPN, honoring his ten NCAA basketball championships in a twelve-year stretch. His UCLA teams won with great centers and with small lineups, with superstars and with team effort, always with quickness, always with class. Wooden was a teacher first and foremost, and his lessons -- taught on the basketball court, but applicable throughout one's life -- are summarized in his famed Pyramid of Success.

Andrew Hill was one of the lucky young men who got to learn from Wooden in his favored classroom -- though that is hardly how Hill would have described it at the time. An all-city high school player in Los Angeles, Hill played -- a little -- on three national champions, from 1970 to 1972. Hill was left embittered by his experience at UCLA; he was upset at how unequally Wooden treated his starting players and his substitutes.

Hill went on to a successful career in television, rising to the presidency of CBS Productions, where he was responsible for the success of such popular series as Touched by an Angel and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman. Hill's job required him to manage many creative people, with the egos and insecurities that usually go along with such talents. And one day, some twenty-five years after he graduated, he was hit with the realization that everything he knew about getting the best out of people he had learned directly from Coach John Wooden.
With no small trepidation, Hill picked up the phone to call and thank his old coach and unexpected mentor. To his surprise, Wooden greeted him warmly and enthusiastically. A strong friendship, sealed in frequent visits and conversations, ensued, and endures.

Be Quick -- But Don't Hurry! tells the story of that friendship. But it also shares the lessons and secrets that Hill learned from Coach Wooden, which hold the key to managing creatively in the idea-driven economy of the twenty-first century. Among those lessons are:

-The team with the best players almost always wins

-Be quick, but don't hurry: there is never enough time to be sure (and if you are sure, you're probably too late), but you must always keep your balance

-Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

-The team that makes the most mistakes...wins!

Full of sound advice and warm reminiscence, Be Quick -- But Don't Hurry! is the management book of a lifetime.©2001 Andrew Hill, All Rights Reserved; (P)2001 Simon & Schuster, Inc., All Rights Reserved, SOUND IDEAS Is an Imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Unexpected honesty

When I first started listening to this book I thought it was going to be a character-assassination of John Wooden. I was taken aback at first by the brutal honesty of Andy Hill in narrating his 'Wooden Years'. However, as the book evolved, and Coach Wooden's success principles were discussed one by one and put in the perspective of life experience, I could see where the book was going. It still leaves me a little unsure of 'Coach', but in admiration of his consistency and in awe of the empire he created.

The Wizard's teachings

There are so many different lessons which do not show up until after the playing career is over. As long as you pay attention, you will not miss them.

Very worthwhile

A rare business application of Woodens magic. Surprised at its high value. Recommended for all such contexts.

Outstanding

Maybe it's my love of basketball or my already strong appreciation for Coach Wooden but I found this book a great read. Not only did it give the Pyramid of Coach's philosophy but it also gave practical examples that can be used outside of basketball and in the real world. For basketball and business enthusiasts - I would highly recommend.

Great listen

This was my first Wooden book. Good listen starts slow at first but there is great information contained. My next book is to be Wooden on leadership.