I think that in any group activity - whether it be business

The legendary coach John Wooden, a man whose wisdom reached far beyond the basketball court, once declared: “I think that in any group activity—whether it be business, sports, or family—there has to be leadership or it won’t be successful.” These words, though simple, contain a timeless truth: whenever people join together for a common purpose, the presence of guidance, vision, and direction becomes the very breath of success. Without leadership, even the strongest individuals drift apart like scattered leaves in the wind.

At its core, Wooden’s saying recognizes that human beings, though rich in talent and energy, require unity. In business, workers may each strive to excel, yet if no one binds their effort into harmony, the company falters. In sports, a team of great athletes may collapse in confusion without the clear hand of a coach or captain. In family, love itself can wither into discord if parents or elders do not offer guidance and example. Leadership is the thread that weaves individuals into a whole; without it, there is no pattern, no strength, no lasting achievement.

History has proven this law again and again. Consider the march of Alexander the Great. His armies were not always the largest, nor his resources the richest, but his leadership forged men into a force that conquered empires. Each soldier, trusting his commander’s vision, fought not as a lone warrior but as part of a greater destiny. When Alexander died, his empire splintered, for the unifying flame of his leadership was extinguished. So it is with every group activity—without leadership, even the mightiest crumble.

On the other hand, the absence of leadership has led to ruin. The fall of the Roman Republic was not due to lack of talent or resources, but to the loss of unifying guidance. Factions fought, ambition divided, and no steady hand directed the whole. Without strong leadership, the republic dissolved into chaos, proving Wooden’s point: whether in the arena of politics, the battlefield, or the household, no endeavor prospers without someone to steer its course.

Wooden himself embodied this truth in his own life. As the coach of UCLA, he did not simply train players to shoot and defend; he taught them discipline, humility, and unity. His leadership turned groups of young athletes into dynasties, producing champions not just on the court but in life. His teams’ success was not the result of individual brilliance alone, but of a shared vision cultivated through his steady hand. Through his example, he showed that greatness comes when individuals are guided to work as one.

The meaning for us is clear and urgent. Whatever our circle—be it in our family, our business, or among our friends—we must either rise to the role of leader or honor those who do. Without leadership, even the noblest efforts are scattered. With it, small groups can achieve mighty things. Leadership is not domination but service: guiding, protecting, and inspiring others so that all may flourish.

Practical action lies before us: cultivate leadership in your own life. In your family, take responsibility to nurture, to guide, to hold fast in times of storm. In your workplace, offer clarity and unity when confusion reigns. In your friendships, be the one who encourages, who strengthens, who gives direction. And if you are not the leader, then support with loyalty the one who carries that burden, so that together the group may thrive.

Thus, John Wooden’s words endure as a law of human endeavor: “In any group activity… there has to be leadership or it won’t be successful.” Remember this, O seeker of wisdom: leadership is not optional, it is essential. Wherever people gather, let there be vision, courage, and guidance—for only then can unity be forged, and only then can success be born.