Principles from Michael Jordan
From Talent to Championship: The Philosophy of Michael Jordan on Teamwork
Estimated reading time (3 minutes)
Happy Friday, everyone.
Welcome to Principles Friday, where I share one principle that can help you in your life or business, one thought-provoking question, and one call to action toward that principle.
Principle of the Week
“If you think and achieve as a team, the individual accolades will take care of themselves. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” by Michael Jordan.
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player to ever play in the NBA due to his impressive resume. He won six NBA championships and never lost an NBA Finals game. He also had many individual accolades, including regular season MVP awards and All-NBA selections. Jordan's popularity helped the NBA expand its reach worldwide. However, it took him seven seasons to win his first NBA Championship.
Jordan had always been a great player, but he didn't trust his teammates and wanted to do everything independently. It wasn't until the 1991 NBA Finals when Phil Jackson, the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, convinced Jordan to trust his teammates.
During a crucial moment in Game 5, Jackson said:
“I wasn’t happy with what I was seeing. Despite our discussions, Michael was leaving Paxson in limbo. Magic often left his man (Paxson) to help other players on defense. He was gambling that Michael wouldn’t give up the ball. Paxson was a strong clutch shooter, and Michael trusted him more than others in tight situations.
But with the championship in our sights, Michael was reverting to his old habit of trying to win games by himself.
So I called a timeout and gathered the team together. “Who’s open, MJ?” I asked, looking directly into Michaels’ eyes. He didn’t answer. So I asked again, “Who’s open?” “Paxson,” he replied. “Okay, so get him the damn ball.”
Paxson went on a scoring spree that helped the Bulls win the championship. This was a turning point for Jordan, who went on to win five more championships while learning to trust his teammates. This change in attitude was crucial to Jordan becoming the greatest basketball player of all time in the eyes of most NBA fans.
Question to Ponder
Can you think of instances where a lack of trust in others has held you back, and how did you overcome this challenge?
One framework you can use that help you is the Attachment Theory, which suggests that our early attachment experiences with caregivers shape our relationships and interactions with others throughout our lives. In Michael Jordan's case, he had a difficult relationship with his father growing up, which may have contributed to his trust issues with his teammates.
Call to Action
Take time to reflect on your trust issues and how they may influence your relationships with others. Remember, building strong and secure relationships is crucial for success in both business and life.
Here are some steps that may help improve trust issues in the context of attachment theory:
Identify and acknowledge your trust issues: Recognizing your trust issues is an important first step. Acknowledge that these issues may have developed due to past attachment experiences and that it is affecting your current relationships.
Work on self-awareness: Develop self-awareness by reflecting on your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Pay attention to how you react in certain situations and what triggers your trust issues.
Learn to set healthy boundaries: Setting boundaries can help you feel more in control and safe in relationships. Practice setting healthy boundaries and communicating them clearly to others.
Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion. Recognize that trust issues are not your fault and that healing takes time and effort. Celebrate your progress, and be patient with yourself as you improve your trust issues.
Seek professional help: Consider working with a therapist specializing in attachment theory. Therapy can help you understand the root of your trust issues and develop strategies to overcome them.
Video of the Week
Here is a video about a pivotal moment between Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan in Game 1 of the 1991 NBA Finals.
The First 100 Podcast
If you want to learn more principles, I interview founders on my podcast, The First 100, where they share how they acquired their first 100 paying customers. This week:
Episode 65 - The First 100 with Shane Orlick, the President of Jasper.ai
Episode 64 - The First 100 with Ola Sars, the founder of Beats Music & Soundtrack Your Brand
And that’s a wrap for now!
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