Be Like Mike - Lead By Example

8 Leadership lessons from Michael Jordan

There may be some debate if Michael Jordan was the greatest NBA player of all time, but he is irrefutably the most respected leader ever to play the game. In 2016, 15 years after retiring, Michael Jordan still made more money than any NBA player, active or retired.

#1 Master the Fundamentals

“You can practice shooting eight hours a day, but if your technique is wrong, then all you become is very good at shooting the wrong way. Get the fundamentals down and the level of everything you do will rise.”

- Michael Jordan

Basketball’s like anything else: it mostly comes down to doing all of the basic stuff right. Jordan warns that when you “get away from fundamentals… the bottom can fall out of your game, your schoolwork, your job… whatever you’re doing.

It’s easy to believe that you are doing the fundamentals well but if you are not actively measuring your performance and focusing on exactly how to improve, you are probably below average.

#2 Know How to Respond to Failure

“Failure makes me work even harder” - Michael Jordan

Many people will be satisfied with winning occasionally but those who continuously succeed know that they must first learn to face failure on a continuous basis and overcome it again and again.

“I have missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot… and missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” - Michael Jordan

#3 Fear is an Illusion

“I know fear is an obstacle for some people, but it’s an illusion to me.” - Michael Jordan

Fears can be self-fulfilling. Sometimes the only thing holding you back from being successful is the fear that you may fail. When we let go of our fears, we’re free to be more aggressive and take full advantage of our opportunities. Face your fears and they will become smaller.

#4 You Can’t Do It Alone

“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.” - Michael Jordan

Throughout the 80’s, Jordan racked up a ton of personal achievements (scoring titles, league MVP awards, and “Defensive Player of the Year”). But no championships. Those didn’t come until he had the help of Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, and Phil Jackson. When the success of the team becomes more important than the success of any one individual, you are on the path to greatness.

#5 Demand the Best from Your Team

Mentor, coach, support your team mates physically, mentally and emotionally. Have the courage to help them understand their weaknesses and how to overcome them. Make it fun and celebrate success. Most of all, lead by example. Jordan never demanded what he was unable to deliver and he always demand more of himself than from his team mates.

#6 Excellence Speaks for Itself

At their prime, the Bulls would sell out every stadium they played in – home or away. But the thing bringing in big crowds wasn’t marketing or sales. It was the superior performance that Jordan and his teammates were putting on display. When you consistently deliver an excellent product, people will find out. Make every performance exceptional.

“Let your game be your promotional or marketing tool.” - Michael Jordan

#7 Play with Passion and Harness Your Emotions

“Heart is what separates the good from the great.” - Michael Jordan

If you are not continuously working to improve your performance, you do not have the passion to be great. Great performance is always driven by a desire to be better no matter what level you are currently at. After winning his sixth NBA championship and fifth MVP, Michael said “I have never worked harder than I did this year.”

#8 Just Do It

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”

- Michael Jordan

The true measure of an exceptional performance is when you gave everything you had. Only you know if you gave everything you had. Don’t ever let yourself down. Be Great!