MJ Mondays | Growing into Your Leadership Role

When Michael Jordan came into the NBA, the Bulls were not a very good team or organization. They didn't know how to win, and they did not have a winning attitude, a winning work ethic, or winning habits. It took a lot of hard work and determination for them to climb to the top of the NBA mountain. They needed leadership, and Michael Jordan had to grow into his role as a leader.

IF YOU WANT TO WIN, YOU HAVE TO PAY THE PRICE--IT'S NOT THAT COMPLICATED

Before Jordan was comfortable being a vocal leader, he first had to prove himself and earn the respect of his older teammates. Jordan said that he led by example when he was younger, but he found his voice when he became one of the older and more experienced players on the team. Jordan said, 

"I guess you could say I became a tyrant, or at least that's how some people chose to interpret those actions. That is not how I viewed it. I knew what it took to come from where we were in 1984. I had put in the time, and I had earned the right to let my teammates know what I expected of them. And it was no more than I expected of myself."

Jordan said, "I am very secure in my ability to focus on what I want. If I have an agenda or a goal, no one is going to deter me from what I want to do." When you are trying to lead a team, you have to know what you want and what you need to do to be successful. Then you have to stick to the script even though there will be obstacles and distractions.

Every great team needs a great leader and winning habits. The leader has to be focused and has to make sure that everyone on the team stays focused. To be a great leader, you have to first make sure that you are willing to do what you demand from your teammates. Then, you have to make sure that you are consistent and focused.

ALL I KNEW IS THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO BE AVERAGE. I HAD DREAMS. THEY WERE MY DREAMS, AND I HAD NO FEAR OF THEM.

It took Jordan a few years to feel comfortable enough to be a vocal leader. But he knew what he wanted, he worked hard, and he brought his teammates along with him. Through losing, he learned what it took to win, he defined a winning attitude, mindset, and winning habits for himself and his teammates and he modeled them for his teammates. When his teammates weren't working as hard as they needed, he found ways to manage, push, and motivate them.

DREAM BIG, BUT GO STEP BY STEP AND BE READY FOR EACH AND EVERY MOMENT.

If you are the leader, or if you want to be the leader, make sure you know what it takes to win, and make sure that you are willing to do what it takes to win. You will lose credibility if you are asking or demanding things from your teammates that you aren't willing to do yourself.

Find ways to effectively communicate with your teammates. Some teammates need you behind them and pushing them. Some teammates need you in front and pulling them along. Some teammates need you to walk next to them. Learn what each teammate needs to be the best that they can be, and find ways to be that for them.

Give yourself grace. Being a leader is full of ups and downs. Some days you say the right thing, and some days you don't. The time is always right to do what's right. Learn from what works, and learn from what doesn't work. Just keep working, learning, and growing.