Lessons from a Legend

John D. Bassett III is more than just a businessman—he's a symbol of resilience, strategic brilliance, and the unwavering belief that American manufacturing can and should thrive.

His story was chronicled in the New York Times bestseller “The Factory Man” by Beth Macy, and further expanded in his own book, “Making It in America: A 12-Point Plan for Growing Your Business and Keeping Jobs at Home.”

Among his 12 points for business success and job retention, one stands out as foundational: Having a Winning Attitude.

John believed that attitude was the cornerstone of success. He knew that leadership, at its core, is about setting the tone—about inspiring confidence and energy that permeates an organization.

Regardless of the situation and odds we faced in remaining an American Furniture producer of wooden bedroom furniture, John never allowed us to stop believing. In fact, through all the trials, he would not allow anyone on our team to feel defeated. Don’t misunderstand, he was not a cheerleader, he was demanding but we knew exactly what needed to be done.

The Science of Attitude: How Your Mindset Shapes Your Team

You've probably noticed how one person's mood can affect everyone in a room. There's actually science behind this! It's called emotional contagion—we naturally pick up on and mirror the attitudes and emotions of those around us, especially our leaders.

Think of it like this: our brains have special cells called mirror neurons that work like emotional WiFi. When we see someone display confidence, enthusiasm, or determination, these neurons fire up and prompt us to feel similar emotions. It's like your brain is saying, "Hey, everyone else seems excited about this—maybe I should be too!"

What this means for leaders is powerful:

· Your energy and attitude don't just affect you—they literally rewire the brains of your team members

· When you walk into a room with confidence and positivity, you're not just sharing an attitude—you're installing it

· Negativity spreads just as easily as positivity—maybe even more so

John understood this instinctively and he knew that a leader with a winning attitude could transform an entire organization, while a negative leader could sink one. No one at Vaughan-Bassett had a negative attitude. He would not allow it.

The Importance of Attitude: The Story of Bill Snyder and Kansas State Football

If you want to see the power of attitude in action, look no further than Bill Snyder and Kansas State football.

In the late 1980s, Kansas State's football program was in shambles. The team hadn't won a single game in two years (1987-1988) and had only one winning season in 34 years. Fans had given up. The administration was seriously considering shutting down the program entirely.

Then, in 1989, Kansas State hired Bill Snyder, a relatively unknown assistant coach from Iowa. He walked into a losing culture—players had zero confidence, morale was nonexistent, and expectations couldn't have been lower. But Snyder brought something that changed everything: a winning attitude.

How He Went from Worst to First:

1. Changing the Culture of Belief

Snyder realized that before his players could win on the field, they had to win in their minds. He banned the phrase "We hope to win" and replaced it with "We expect to win." This wasn't just semantics—it was rewiring how his players thought.

The phrase "Expect to Win" started appearing everywhere—on walls, in playbooks, and in every team meeting. Players weren't allowed to express doubt, even when facing powerhouse opponents. This might sound simple, but it created a fundamental shift in how the team approached games.

2. Focusing on Small Wins

Rather than talking about championships (which would have seemed laughable), Snyder broke success down into manageable pieces. He'd focus on winning one quarter, one series, one play at a time.

He tracked progress relentlessly, celebrating small improvements that others might overlook. Instead of saying "we need to win more games," he'd say "we need to improve our third-down conversion rate by 5%." This made success tangible and achievable.

My former boss, Wes Reid, understood this concept better than anyone. Years ago as we were in the “eye of the storm” changing a plant culture. It was hard work and at times frustrating because the change was slow. Wes would ask one question everyday. “Did we win today”? He knew perserverance was the secret sauce to success.

3. Building a Gritty, Resilient Team

Interestingly, Snyder didn't recruit the 5-star athletes that powerhouse programs chased. Instead, he looked for players with something to prove—often those who had been overlooked or told they weren't good enough.

He prioritized mental toughness and work ethic over raw talent. In practice, everything was measured, from effort to execution. There were no excuses, only opportunities to improve.

The moral of this concept is something I hold in esteem. If you “want to”…you will. If you “have to”….you might.

The Result?

The transformation was nothing short of miraculous:

· Within three years (1991), Kansas State had its first winning season in decades

· By 1993, they won nine games—a massive turnaround

· By 1998, Kansas State was ranked #1 in the nation for the first time ever

· Over the next 20 years, Snyder transformed Kansas State from the worst team in college football into a perennial powerhouse

Snyder didn't just change the way players played—he changed the way they thought. He transformed perception into perspective, turning a losing mindset into a winning one.

What Business Leaders Can Learn from Bassett and Snyder

The parallels between Bassett's manufacturing success and Snyder's football turnaround are striking:

Belief Precedes Success – Before a team or company can achieve great things, its leaders must instill a deep-seated belief in their ability to win. This isn't about false confidence—it's about creating genuine convictions.

Culture Dictates Outcomes – The expectations set by leadership shape behaviors and results. When you establish high standards and refuse to accept anything less, people rise to meet them.

Small Wins Lead to Big Wins – Success is built step by step, through discipline, effort, and commitment to daily improvement. Don't focus on the championship—focus on today's practice.

All of these legends knew that winning starts in the mind. Whether it's rebuilding a football program or revitalizing American manufacturing, or turning around a plant, leadership is about inspiring belief, fostering resilience, and turning expectations into achievements.

What winning attitude will you bring to your team today?