'It Always Begins Before It Begins': Lessons in Preparation and Selflessness

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Success is often celebrated in the moment of achievement—a big win, a groundbreaking decision, or a career milestone. Yet, as UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close reminded us after her team’s decisive victory over top-ranked South Carolina this past Sunday, true greatness is built long before the spotlight shines.

The No. 5 UCLA Bruins snapped South Carolina's dominant 43-game winning streak with a commanding 77-62 victory, electrifying a sold-out crowd at Pauley Pavilion. 

For sports fans, it was a thrilling upset. But for leaders and high performers, the real insight came from Close’s postgame reflection, offering a blueprint for preparation, selflessness, and sustained excellence.

“Don’t get tired of doing it right,” Close told her team. “What led to this was not this 40 minutes. It was the preparation, the commitment, the selflessness. The extra work. This didn’t happen tonight—it began with all the work leading up to it. And now, whether it’s the No. 1 team in the country or the No. 100 team, we prepare the same way. That’s how valuable this is. The sky is the limit if you stay committed to this level of preparation and selflessness.”

Coach Close’s words echo a truth that transcends sports: excellence isn’t built in moments of execution but in the countless hours of preparation that precede them with selflessness. It’s about the discipline to focus on the fundamentals, the commitment to show up daily, and the selflessness to prioritize the collective good over individual gain.

For us as leaders, this means focusing on the processes, not just the outcomes.

Ask yourself: Do I foster a culture of preparation and commitment to the process? Are my teams equipped with the tools, habits, and mindset to excel before the stakes are high?

As we step into the days ahead, let us carry Coach Close's words as a guiding principle: to prepare and do the right thing—even when no one is watching.

Her reminder resonates deeply: “Remember, it always begins before it begins.”

With this in mind, may we face every opponent, embrace every opportunity, and overcome every obstacle with unwavering commitment. Let us dedicate ourselves to the unseen, often uncelebrated work, grounded in selflessness as the foundation of our leadership.

When we lead with this spirit, the sky is not just the limit for us—but for everyone we have the privilege to coach, guide, support, inspire and empower.

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