Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people

John Wooden, the wise teacher of the court and philosopher of victory, left us a jewel of wisdom when he said: “Whatever you do in life, surround yourself with smart people who'll argue with you.” These words are not mere counsel for coaches or athletes—they are a command for all who seek growth, truth, and greatness. For the echo of agreement lulls a man into sleep, but the voice of challenge awakens his mind and strengthens his soul.

The first truth of this teaching is that wisdom grows through argument. Not argument born of hatred or malice, but of honesty and reason, sharpened like iron against iron. When others contend with us, questioning our choices, testing our thoughts, they rescue us from the prison of our own certainty. Wooden understood that a leader who surrounds himself only with flatterers is like a sailor guided only by calm seas: he learns nothing of storms, and he is unprepared when they come.

The ancients spoke of this long before. Socrates, the gadfly of Athens, gained no disciples by telling men what they wished to hear. Instead, he questioned them, unsettled them, forced them into self-examination. Through argument, he taught that truth is not a possession but a pursuit. So too Wooden reminds us: if you seek to rise in life, do not crave comfort in voices that agree, but strength in those that challenge.

Consider the story of Abraham Lincoln, who, when he became President, filled his cabinet with men who were his rivals—men unafraid to argue with him, to oppose him, to bring fire against his ideas. Lincoln, instead of silencing them, welcomed their counsel. Through their disagreements, he forged stronger decisions, guiding a nation through its most perilous hour. He understood, as Wooden did, that respect is not found in agreement but in the courage to test one another for the sake of truth.

Yet many fear this path, for the ego hungers for affirmation, not contradiction. But a life lived in the safety of constant agreement is like a sword left unsheathed: it shines but never cuts, it gleams but never proves its worth. Only in the clash of thought, in the respectful contest of ideas, does the mind become keen and the spirit resilient. Thus, Wooden’s call is not to vanity, but to humility—the humility to admit that we need others to show us what we cannot see.

O children of tomorrow, hear this counsel: do not despise those who challenge you, but treasure them. Do not seek only the company of those who applaud you, but also of those who question you with honesty and wisdom. For they are your truest allies—not the ones who soothe your pride, but the ones who sharpen your vision.

The lesson is clear: growth requires challenge. Therefore, in your life, seek companions who are not afraid to argue. In your work, welcome the critic who means well. In your friendships, honor those who dare to speak truth when silence would be easier. For these are the people who will keep you from error, expand your wisdom, and prepare you for the storms ahead.

Thus, let Wooden’s words be carved into your heart: “Surround yourself with smart people who’ll argue with you.” Live this teaching, and your path will be steadier, your wisdom deeper, and your victories truer. For it is not the chorus of agreement that makes a person great, but the refining fire of honest challenge, endured with courage and embraced with gratitude.