At one point in time, he was the most recognizable face on Earth. He probably still is in the Top 10.
And for many of us who spent a large part of our adolescent lives in the late 80s through to the late 90s, watching The Last Dance became an enthralling nostalgia trip, back when life was … less complicated.
In fact, during the past few weeks, many people who never contemplated watching sports on TV suddenly found themselves sucked into the realm of ups and downs concerning Jordan, Pippen, Rodman et al.
As much as the series overall was fascinating, unearthing various discussions surrounding the personalities of that Chicago Bulls team, the part that struck me the most was the ending of Episode 7.
As guarded as Michael Jordan is, those 130 seconds that wrapped up Episode 7 is perhaps the closest we’ll ever get to understand how he views the game of basketball, the game of leadership, and the game of life.
Take note however, that context is vital – high-level team sports very often have cultures that are intimidating, and the copy-paste approach will not work when applied in other environments.
First off, the text in full:
Winning has a price, and leadership has a price. So I pulled people along when they didn’t want to be pulled. I challenged people when they didn’t want to be challenged. And I earned that right because my teammates came after me, they didn’t endure all the things I endured. Once you joined the team, you lived at a certain standard that I played the game, and I wasn’t going to take anything less. Now if that means I had to go in there and get in your ass a little bit, then I did that. You ask all my teammates, the one thing about Michael Jordan was, he never asked me to do something that he didn’t f****** do. When people see this, they’re going to say, well, he wasn’t really a nice guy, he may have been a tyrant, well that’s you, because you never won anything. I wanted to win, but I wanted them to win to be a part of that as well. Look, I don’t have to do this, I’m only doing it because … it is who I am, that’s how I played the game, that was my mentality, if you don’t wanna play that way … don’t play that way.
Play-by-play Analysis
Our job as leaders is to dissect what he said, analyze the depth of meaning each sentence carries, and see what we can take and apply in our own circumstances. This post is my attempt to do just that.
1) Winning has a price, and leadership has a price.
Successful leaders know this to be the truest of words. Whether it is time, money, relationships, personal goals etc, there is a price to pay. Are we willing to endure sharp short-term pains for soothing long-term gains? Stay those couple of hours extra when the team needs us? Sacrifice hobbies to invest in skills that will ensure our continued success, so our family can continue to be fed?
Jordan knew from the beginning that success was what he wanted above all else, and he accepted what he needed to do.
2) So I pulled people along when they didn’t want to be pulled. I challenged people when they didn’t want to be challenged.
When leaders are true to their values and make great efforts to understand the people they work with, they will know which buttons to press.
Jordan was never hard on Dennis Rodman’s partying lifestyle, because when it mattered the most, on the court, Rodman delivered results, even if he was out partying till 5 am the night before. However, others like Scott Burrell saw an oftentimes tyrannical Jordan push them to the limits. They might not have liked it then, but they won. And today, most of his teammates agree that without that push, they wouldn’t have achieved as many victories.
3) And I earned that right because my teammates came after me, they didn’t endure all the things I endured.
There are leaders who often equate their length of service or seniority as some sort of badge of honour, that they deserve automatic respect from everyone else. What they should be asking themselves is, have they earned that respect on merit?
Jordan struggled for years in a losing team. When he first joined the team as a youngster, they were known as the Chicago Bulls “Travelling Cocaine Circus”, such was the widespread use of recreational drugs. He refused to continue that tradition, and began the tough process of slowly influencing the team culture towards a winning mindset.
4) Once you joined the team, you lived at a certain standard that I played the game, and I wasn’t going to take anything less. Now if that means I had to go in there and get in your ass a little bit, then I did that.
“The best way to lose a good employee is to tolerate a bad employee.” Once standards have been set, leaders must maintain them at all costs. Feedback to those slacking must be IMMEDIATE, with the necessary coaching given. Otherwise, you risk setting a bad example, and a lowering of the bar for even high-performing employees, who may start to question why they’re working so hard if their colleague still gets to reap the same fruits with less labour.
Having gone through tough times in the past, Jordan made sure the players who joined the Bulls AFTER they were successful, maintained, and even elevated their standards. He did not want anyone resting on their laurels.
The best way to lose a good employee is to
tolerate a bad employee.
5) You ask all my teammates, the one thing about Michael Jordan was, he never asked me to do something that he didn’t f****** do.
Leadership by example. When you demonstrate, people emulate. If you are asking people to regularly stay back till 8 pm while you’re always off at 5 pm, you have no right to question the dedication of your employees.
6) When people see this, they’re going to say, well, he wasn’t really a nice guy, he may have been a tyrant, well that’s you, because you never won anything. I wanted to win, but I wanted them to win to be a part of that as well.
Win or lose, leaders know that they will always be the focal point of their team’s performance. And when results are achieved, it’s easy to bask in the adulation coming from management. Praise is deserved, but make sure the team gets their dues as well. And know when to step back to allow another team member to step up.
When you demonstrate, people emulate.
As focused and self-centered as Jordan was, the team always came first. During Game 6 of 1997 NBA finals, Jordan gave up the chance to have another championship-winning shot under his belt. Instead, based on a well-thought-out plan, he presented teammate Steve Kerr with the opportunity, because he knew Kerr would be in a better position to score. Kerr’s ball hit the net, and the Bulls won their fifth NBA championship.
7) Look, I don’t have to do this, I’m only doing it because … it is who I am, that’s how I played the game, that was my mentality, if you don’t wanna play that way … don’t play that way.
Jordan breaks down in tears. It is clear at that moment, how heavy the crown truly was. They say it’s lonely at the top, and leadership can sometimes feel that way. However, don’t think for a second that Jordan would have traded that burden for a more relaxed playing career. His sacrifices created a legacy that survives today and will continue to endure, motivating people to achieve their absolute best, not just in basketball but in life. And that to me, is the greatest gift of leadership – the gift of CREATING OTHER LEADERS. You probably won’t get paid to do it, but you get to leave a mark – “a dent in the universe” according to Steve Jobs – long after you have left.