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Learning from the Legend Himself

"For most of us, the name Michael Jordan is synonymous with the game of basketball. His form, grit and leadership took the world by storm. Let’s read on about how (Neville) found inspiration from Jordan and how we can all learn a thing or two about leadership and teamwork, the Jordan-way."


by Neville Ponnurajah

It was the day before the pivotal Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and Utah Jazz. With the series tied at two wins apiece, everything was at stake.


His "airness" Michael Jordan was down with food poisoning and his condition cast a worrying shadow on whether he would be able to play against the Jazz. But he did, and despite initially struggling to find his form, he finished with 38 points from 44 minutes, and the Bulls won Game 5 and went on to win Game 6 and their 5th NBA title.


"It may be a cliche, but the phrase “when the going gets tough, the tough get going"could not ring more true in the world of MJ. "

From the onset of his career, he had to compete with Larry Bird's Celtics in the Eastern Conference and eventually face the Bad Boys of Detroit Pistons who went on to win successive NBA titles.


MJ and the Bulls, with their cool as a cucumber, Coach Phil Jackson, managed to find a way and eventually emerge champions from 1991 to 1993, and again from 1996 to 1998.


Michael was someone who worked so hard at his craft.


He shot his three-pointers with sheer accuracy and is one of the best clutch shooters the game has ever produced.


His perseverance and tenacity to find a way when there seemed to be no way, was evergreen!


He was a supreme athlete who could never settle for second best.


When he left to play baseball and returned later on, he and the Bulls won another three titles from 1996 to 1998.


Determination, Leadership, motivation and talent is what this man used to display on the court with his Chicago Bulls. He is truly an inspiration to anyone who wants to be a professional sportsman. 


For the majority of the NBA fans in Malaysia, which included me, we got to witness the second three peat run of the Bulls from 96 to 98 on Cable TV.


The recently released “The Last Dance” docuseries brought back memories of that second three peat title run and for myself although a huge sports fan, I got to know so much about the Bulls and MJ during their early years.


For me, Michael Jordan exhibited this enormous drive to win within him and his drive was shared by his teammates.


He never settles for second best.


As a leader on and off the court, he had to foster good working relationships with his teammates and have good people management skills. He also learnt to trust his team more on the court in crucial situations during matches and key games.


"Determination, Leadership, motivation and talent is what this man used to display on the court with his Chicago Bulls."

For a champion, failure is never final.


Failure is only failure when we stop trying. MJ never gave up when he was on that court.


Also, the reason the Bulls were so successful is that everyone on the team recognised their role, and how and when to play it.


What is leadership to me?

Firstly, as a leader, it is important to earn the respect of your team because that can go a long way in fostering good working relationships between them.


Jordan gained respect from his team mates by always giving his best at each game. And his best at each game was literally the best of the best! He led by example.


Secondly, adopting “The boss is always right” attitude, often paired with pride, and displaying that to our team will, in most cases, result in them putting in work without any sense of fulfillment or drive.


This won’t only affect their work performance, but also the overall productivity and morale of the team.


The coach Phil Jackson had amazing man-management skills. He was able to inspire the team and had this ability to bring out the best in his players especially Jordan.


Thirdly, we must listen to our staff, put in the work to hear them out. This would open doors for an enhanced working relationship with them.


The larger than life character of Dennis Rodman was one of the players that had a special relationship with Phil Jackson.


“Phil realized that I was different, man,” Rodman said. “Phil knew me so well because he knew I needed to get my head right. That’s what was so cool about playing with that team. If anybody needed something, they were all about it. And Phil was very cool about it.”

Fourthly, a leader has to define clear goals for the organisation and a work plan on how everyone is going to jointly reach it.


Each and every employee has a role to play, and they must understand that they will make a difference.


Dennis Rodman, one of the best rebounders in the game and Scottie Pippen, complemented MJ’s strengths. The team on a whole was a force to be reckoned with.


Fifthly, I believe a good leader is someone who practices a “failure is not final” attitude.


From one of his famous quotes, Jordan says that "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."


"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

The ability for people to bounce back from setbacks and become stronger and better than before is not something from out of this world.


This is an attitude we must keep embracing and use to constantly progress in life.


Ronaldo Nazario Da Lima, the “original” Ronaldo as I refer to him, had major injury setbacks at the beginning of his career.


Instead of giving in and letting the setback overcome him, he rehabilitated, came back stronger and fitter, and won the biggest prize in World Football, the Fifa World Cup in 2002.


Over the course of his career, his superior skills and perseverance has earned him the nickname O Fenômeno or The Phenomenon.


Personally for me, I have had some setbacks in my life too but especially over the last eight years, these setbacks have moulded me and have kept giving me the inspiration to do better.


I know when God closes one door, he opens another. I believe something better is waiting.


I like to end this article with a favourite quote:-


“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts” - Sir Winston Churchill


By Neville Ponnurajah

1 Comment


Esther Ponmalar Charles
Esther Ponmalar Charles
Aug 13, 2020

Excellent

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