5 Ways to Become a Great Leader, What You Can Learn from Phil Jackson
Phil Jackson is often recognized as one of the most outstanding leaders ever.
Renowned for his unparalleled success as a coach in the NBA, Jackson's impact went beyond championship titles.
His leadership, characterized by a transformational style, mindfulness, and always fostering unity, reshaped the conventional thinking of coaching and catapulted him into the realm of legendary leadership figures. Through his exceptional ability to cultivate an individual´s potential while establishing a collective sense of purpose, Jackson's legacy offers invaluable insights for those seeking to elevate their own leadership prowess and leave an enduring mark on their teams and organizations.
Through his autobiography, Eleven Rings, we get the opportunity to take a deep dive into his brain, memories, and experiences, to further explore what made him such a winner.
Here are 5 practices that made Phil Jackson an extraordinary leader.
By Keith Allison from Baltimore, USA - RO9A3387, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6223045, modified
1. Creating a Shared Vision of Success
"I flashed back to 1989 when I took over as head coach and had talked to Michael (Jordan) about how I wanted him to share the spotlight with his teammates so the team could grow and flourish. In those days he was a gifted young athlete with enormous confidence in his own abilities who had to be cajoled into making sacrifices for the team.
“Now he was an older, wiser player who understood that it wasn't brilliant individual performances that made great teams, but the energy that's unleashed when players put their egos aside and work toward a common goal... Good teams become great ones when the members trust each other enough to surrender the 'me' for the 'we.'"
– Phil Jackson
Phil was lucky to be on teams with some of the greatest basketball players ever.
Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Shaquille O'Neal, to name a few.
However, you don’t win 11 championships without having an intense understanding of how to lead and succeed.
He figured out that the formula for creating a great team included molding a group of individuals into a cohesive unit by fostering a collective commitment. Phil understood that selflessness, trust, and a desire to play for your tribe instead of yourself would inevitably put his team in a position to win.
After the Bulls won their first 3-peat (3 straight championships), Phil alluded to a schematic model borrowed from the book, Tribal Leadership. He stated that by winning those three championships, the Bulls had gone from a Stage 3 team (“I’m great, you’re not”) into a Stage 4 team (“We’re great, they’re not”). What made them a great team was the belief that THEY were great, not that each individual player was great.
2. Transformational Leadership
Transformational leadership is defined by Langston University as:
“…a leadership approach that causes change in individuals and social systems. In its ideal form, it creates valuable and positive change in the followers with the end goal of developing followers into leaders.”
An example of this approach is Phil’s work with Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. Jackson's guidance in employing mindfulness techniques helped Bryant navigate high-pressure situations and hone his emotional intelligence. By the end of his career, Kobe was recognized for his unparalleled mental fortitude on the basketball court. Jackson's commitment to nurturing players' personal growth, along with their athletic ability, showed the essence of transformational leadership that extends far beyond sports.
One of the aspects that made Phil such an exceptional leader was his ability to understand his players beyond basketball. With this understanding, he found ways to motivate and inspire them individually, instilling confidence in even the lowest members of the team.
3. Delegating Authority
“Needless to say, the coaching profession attracts a lot of control freaks who remind everyone constantly that they’re the alpha dog in the room. I’ve been known to do this myself. But what I’ve learned over the years is that the most effective approach is to delegate authority as much as possible and to nurture everyone else’s leadership skills as well. When I’m able to do that, it not only builds team unity and allows others to grow but also—paradoxically—strengthens my role as leader.”
- Phil Jackson
For some reason, many leaders believe it is their duty to control everything at every point. A truly successful team will have multiple leaders, each ready to step up when the time comes.
The less you need to micromanage your team for them to achieve success, the greater your success as a leader.
4. Player-Centric Approach
Tied into our previous point, Phil Jackson’s leadership is characterized by being incredibly player-centric. This is part of the reason why many of his old players still revere him as an incredible person and mentor.
He took the time to understand their lives both on and off the court, showing a genuine interest in their personal growth and challenges. This created an environment of trust and respect, where players felt valued not only for their athletic skills but also treated equally as human beings.
Jackson's player-centric approach was evident in his work with superstar players like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Rather than imposing his will on great talents, he engaged them in the decision-making process, giving them a sense of ownership. He recognized that their insights and perspectives were invaluable in shaping team dynamics and strategies. This collaborative approach not only empowered the players but also fostered a strong sense of camaraderie and unity within the team.
Jackson's knack for managing egos and personalities was proof of his player-centric leadership style. He understood that egos could disrupt team chemistry and harmony, so he skillfully navigated them while maintaining a collective focus on the team's goals. Jackson showed this in his work with players like Dennis Rodman, whose unconventional behavior just became part of team dynamics. Their end goal was still to win a championship.
This ethos of putting the players at the center of his coaching philosophy set Jackson apart as a remarkable leader.
5. Manager not Controller
“Phil Jackson was a master of managing personalities. He controlled Dennis by not attempting to control him.,”
- Former Bulls forward Jason Caffey.
One of the biggest hurdles the Chicago Bulls team faced in their second 3-peat championship run was the off-court behavior of Dennis Rodman. When he was out partying or wrestling Hulk Hogan instead of practicing with the team, many scolded Jackson for not having a harsh hand.
"Coaching Dennis Rodman was a unique challenge. He was an individual with his own style, but he brought an intensity and determination that few could match. My approach was to give him a certain level of freedom while also setting clear boundaries. I knew that his energy and defensive prowess were invaluable to the team, so I worked on finding ways to harness his strengths within our system."
– Phil Jackson
Phil set some boundaries with Rodman, but essentially let him be himself, he knew this would make him most effective on the basketball court. He managed what could be managed while understanding that by punishing Rodman for being extravagant he would completely alienate a player that was crucial to the team.
This is one of the many reasons why having a deep understanding of your players’ strengths, weaknesses and motivations is pivotal to becoming an outstanding leader and eventually winning some championships.
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