In his keynote address at the National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association (NEMRA) Annual Conference, University of Louisville Head Basketball Coach Rick Pitino said staying positive is a key to success in business and life.
Pitino, who unexpectedly took his Louisville Cardinals team to the Final Four basketball tournament last year before losing in the semifinals to Illinois, explained that, “I begin each year with the goal of having a ratio of 98 percent to 2 percent positive vs. negative attitude. Last year we didn’t have great talent but we knew what it took to get as far as we did. We put in our time and work and continued to strive to be positive. It was a great treat for all of us, and I probably had the highest percentage of positive thinking for any time in my career.
If negativity rears its ugly head in an organization, the former NBA coach urged that immediate corrective action be taken. "Moody, negative people don’t even realize they are that way. Instead, they blame everything on the game of life. They have all kinds of excuses for their negativity. If there are one or two negative people in an organization, I’d make a change. In college, I’d urge them to transfer. In the pros, I’d make a trade."
Finally, Pitino explained that "After 33 years in this business, I don’t have a job any more. What I have is a passion for what I do, and that’s what you should have. Enjoy every minute that you’re in business."