The Jackson 11 (Rules 1 - 6)

In chapter 2 of his book, 11 Rings, Phil Jackson goes through what he  calls his 11 basic principles of mindful leadership that he has developed over the years.  Below are short notes about rules 1-6.

1 - Lead From The Inside Out 

  

2 - Bench The Ego

3 - Let Each Player Discover His Own Destiny

I always tried to give each player the freedom to carve out a role for himself within the team structure.  I've seen dozens of player's flame out and disappear not because they couldn't figure out how ot fit into the cookie-cutter model of basketball that pervades the NBA.

My approach was always to relate to each player as a whole person, not just as a cog in the basketball machine.  That meant pushing him to discover what distinct qualities he could bring to the game beyond taking shots and making passes.

4 - The Road To Freedom is A Beautiful System
It was important for him to find the perfect system that gave his players freedom to use their unique gifts while working together as one unit.  His beautiful system was the triangle offense.

5 - Turn The Mundane Into The Sacred

At the start of training camp, we used to perform a ritual that I borrowed from football great Vince Lombardi.  As the players formed a row on the baseline, I'd ask them to commit to being coached that season, saying, "God has ordained me to coach you young men, and I embrace the role I've been given.  If you wish to accept the game I embrace and follow my coaching, as a sign of your commitment, step across that line."

6 - One Breath = One Mind

Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki likened the mid to a cow in a pasture.  If you enclose the cow in a small yard, it will become nervous and frustrated and start eating the neighbor's grass.  But if you give it a large pasture to roam around in, it will be more content and less likely to break loose.