What Jordan and the 90s Bulls can teach you about high performance

You probably know I’m a Chicago guy so obviously a HUGE fan of the Bulls.

The 90s was a magical time for me growing up watching? Jordan, Pippen, and the rest of the Bulls absolutely dominate pro basketball.

Of course I watched Air on Netflix (and loved it).

And a few years before that Netflix released The Last Dance – ?an incredible documentary of those 90s Bulls.

So what was the secret to the Bulls’ success?

Yes, they had talent.

But so many teams are talented as well. Talent wasn’t their secret to success.

We all know people that are talented, but struggle to produce …

Back when I was in college, I was surrounded by classmates much smarter than me. I’m thinking specifically about a guy named John who had a perfect SAT and ACT. The dude was seriously brilliant.

John also got kicked out of college after one year. The first semester he failed all his classes. He failed again in the second semester and the university said, “Bye bye.”

Talent isn’t everything.

Was the secret to the Bulls’ success coaching?

As a coach and mentor to many school leaders – who are absolutely crushing it – of course I am biased toward the importance of coaching.

The Bulls had Phil Jackson and Tex Winters. They created the “Triangle” style of offense. Jordan and the team flourished.

Jordan also utilized Tim Grover to work on mindset and physical performance. Grover also coached up other NBA Hall of Famers Kobe Bryant and Dwanye Wade.

Juxtapose that with this stat from a recent study by NAESP and the Learning Policy Institute: Less than 25% of principals had access to a coach or mentor in the last two years.

So yeah. Top performers have coaches.

But even coaching wasn’t their “secret” …

One thing I’ve always admired about Phil Jackson was his ability to see, coach, and mentor the full human being in front of him.

At the professional level there is tremendous pressure to win.

Lose too many games and you’ll lose your job.

In this context it’s very easy to mistakenly believe that “winning” is the only thing that matters in life.

But not for Phil Jackson and the Bulls.

According to Jordan, Jackson taught him:

• No matter the pressure it’s just a game.
• He could be aggressive and live in the moment.
• Stop being reckless. Start being strategic.
• Find the quiet center with noise all around.
• Control his emotions and not lose focus.

Sounds like this is useful for school leaders too, right?

And if you’re a fan of the Bulls like me, you’ll remember the tragic day Jordan’s father was murdered.?

Jordan retired. The team was in crisis.

What did Jackson do? He brought in George Mumford to teach meditation and mindfulness to the Chicago Bulls.

According to Mumford, “Crisis has two meanings. One being danger and the other being opportunity.”

I like to say it this way: “There are two sides to every coin.”

How did the Bulls respond to basketball without Jordan??

• They won 55 games – just two fewer games from the year before with Jordan.
• And they were one game away from the NBA Finals – losing in seven games to the NY Knicks.

Education seems to be in crisis. Anytime I turn on the news or log into social media I am bombarded with negativity.?

At times I wonder how anyone is an educator these days.

Then I remember Ruckus Makers.

Sure, these leaders are also experiencing challenges.?

• But they have support that their peers do not.
• They have tools and frameworks their peers lack.
• They have an optimistic attitude too.

And with all this they know they can accomplish anything. And do.

Just like the Chicago Bulls who went on to win three more championships.

?

According to Mumford, “[Phil] didn’t bring me in to help them win a championship, but rather to deal with the stress of success.”

Leading a school is stressful – successful or not. But how are you dealing with that stress? More importantly, WHO helps you deal with that stress?

As a professional you have choices:

• Will you lead in isolation or with a trusted group of peers?
• Will you focus on what’s wrong or where there’s opportunity?
• Will you be a Play-It-Safe-Principal or a Ruckus Maker?

We’re not competing to win at basketball, but if you’re reading this message I know you are trying to create a Remarkable School.

That’s why I’m so excited to invite you to The Remarkable Vision Formula 2-Day Virtual Event happening soon: October 7 + 8 .

There you’ll collaborate with other talented, growth-minded leaders.

You’ll also experience world-class, holistic coaching. We’ll focus on YOU and YOUR FAMILY before we even discuss YOUR SCHOOL.?

And I have a bunch of resources to help you:

• See the “bigger picture”
• Know that there is more to life than school
• Be confident and in the moment.
• Stop being reactive. Start being strategic.
• Find the calm within the storm.

A funny thing happens when you get your priorities right too. The school succeeds.

You can learn more and register for the event here !