So, now we’re on episode 4 of the ten-part documentary series “The Last Dance” about Michael Jordan’s last year with the Chicago Bulls. Part 3 was on the importance of taking ownership.
[UPDATE: Due to the positive feedback I received on this series I turned it into a short book called “Lead Like Mike”. If you want to support me and read the ten posts all in one place you can now order the book here.]
The Purpose of Leadership
What stood out in episode 4 was Jordan stepping up his physical training. During this time, NBA games were much more physical than today. In the late 1980s and 1990 players would at times intentionally hurt each other and to some extent, it was tolerated.
In 1989, before Jordan had won his first championship, the most physical team was the Detroit Pistons who were known as the “Bad Boys.” To stop Jordan the Pistons came up with the “Jordan rules” which meant that they would do anything and everything to stop him from getting in the air. The Pistons would literally hit, push, hold down, or sandwich Jordan all in an effort to keep him on the ground.
It wasn’t mentioned in this episode but I found an interview where Tim Grover a personal athletic trainer shared his story about this time. Eager to train professional basketball players in his hometown of Chicago, Grover wrote personal letters to 14 of the Chicago Bull’s 15 players. The only player he excluded was Jordan. No one responded to his personalized letters, but he did receive a call from the Chicago Bulls organization because one athlete was interested. When Grover showed up to the appointment, he learned it was Michael Jordan.
During this time, it wasn’t common for players to hire personal trainers since the teams provided their own. But Jordan hired Grover to gain strength and muscle which he felt he needed to combat the Detroit Pistons’ physical style of playing. Grover ended up training Jordan for over 15 years.
Jordan’s training started at either 5, 6, or 7 in the morning BEFORE the team’s practice. Jordan invited other players to his house for the early morning workouts, which were called the “Breakfast Club” because you couldn’t eat breakfast until the session was over. Sometimes Jordan would also train after practice.
When the other players saw how hard Jordan was training they had no choice but to emulate him. When they saw how committed Jordan was to winning and getting better they were compelled to do the same. Jordan inspired his teammates to take their training and performance to the next level.
And one of the things I loved about those Chicago Bulls is that non-famous athletes were playing like superstars because they were excelling at very specific roles. Of course, the coaching by Phil Jackson was central to this, but Jordan played a strong role in helping everyone around him become better regardless of who they were.
LEADERSHIP NUGGET #4: Great leaders use their influence to channel the collective energy and strengths of those around them into a worthy objective that one cannot accomplish alone.
One of the signs that someone has real influence is when they can use their influence to channel the collective energy into a worthy objective, goal, or change.
Ghandi did it.
Nelson Mandela did it.
Martin Luther King Jr did it many times.
Winston Churchill did it.
John F Kennedy did it.
Abraham Lincoln did it.
Hitler did it for the wrong reasons.
And the list goes on and on.
I’m not saying Jordan’s impact is on the same level as these people. But the common thread here is using one’s influence to accomplish something that you cannot accomplish on your own. Leadership author and guru, John Maxwell says, “Leadership is influence.” At first, I disagreed but now I see it.
“Leadership is influence.”
John Maxwell
If there’s no one behind you, you’re leading. Well, you’re leading yourself and that’s a critical start. But the purpose of leadership is influence. Positive influence. But you can’t lead others until you start leading yourself.
Leaders have a responsibility to tap into the strengths of those around them, manage their weaknesses, and help them develop their strengths so that together they are better. Jordan did it by becoming the person he felt he needed to become to win championships. This inspired his teammates to improve themselves.
The reason why he had so much authority, respect, and influence over his teammates was due to his dedication to improving himself, the clarity of the goal, and his willingness to let his teammates now when they were not keeping up. Was Jordan liked, like a friend? Probably not. We’ll talk more about that later.
We live in a world of influencers. Being a “social media influencer” is a job title now.
But why do you want to have influence?
What’s the goal?
What’s the common good you want to achieve with that influence?
If you want to lead and have influence then it’s critical you understand why? A lot of people want to be the big boss, but why? Why should you have the privilege and responsibility of leading a group of people?
So, what’s the purpose of your leadership?
If you like this series, check out my book, Leader by Choice.
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—“I think everyone can benefit from reading this, but especially those who feel they are held back by their past.”
—“I read a lot of leadership books but few are as accessible, personal, and action-oriented as this one.”
—“This was just the book I needed (as someone who has been in middle management for a while, but feeling stuck. Mid life!).”
