5 Entrepreneurial Lessons I Learned Working for Michael Jordan
Jordan's rise to
the top was no coincidence--it was all due to his leadership style, quick mind,
and pure desire to be the best.
Come Fly with Me, Ultimate Jordan, and Airtime--I saw and studied all of the
Michael Jordan videos as a kid. Who didn’t? Never in a million years could I
have imagined I would join MJ’s circle of advisers when I grew up, but life is
full of surprises.
In March of 2007, I received the
opportunity of a lifetime to work in the NBA for the then Charlotte Bobcats,
now Charlotte Hornets. Michael was minority owner and president of basketball
operations at the time, and I was asked to be the organization’s director of
legal affairs. In addition to traditional legal responsibilities, I was also
asked to play a role in the organization’s management of its salary cap and
player transactions. This latter role thrust me into a crucial part of what the
organization did, and helped me learn what Michael needed from his business
“teammates.”
Within a few years, I was asked to
lead the organization’s legal department as its vice president of legal
affairs, which increased the frequency of my interactions with Michael and gave
me the unique opportunity to observe, study, and internalize lessons from the
man many (including me) believe to be the “G.O.A.T.” (Greatest of All Time).
When you are around Michael enough, you realize very quickly that his rise to
the top was far from coincidental. I observed his leadership style, his quick
mind, and his pure desire to be the best.
Today, I’m the founder and CEO of Yuno, a social shopping startup changing the way we think about
our value in commerce. So why leave what many would consider a dream job?
Because, like Michael, I’ve always wanted to put my abilities to the test and
I’ve always had the desire to be the best. In July 2013, I decided to pursue my
entrepreneurial dream. And what I took with me were five important lessons from
Michael’s journey that everyone, especially entrepreneurs, can use to achieve
their goals.
MJ missed more than 9,000 shots,
including 26 game winners. He didn’t make his high school’s varsity basketball
team the first go-around. He kept losing to the Pistons early in his career.
He’s dealt with negative comments about being an owner of the Charlotte
Hornets. Still, he learns (and thrives) from failure and has never once backed
down from the biggest challenges.
Takeaway: You’ve got to embrace
failure to find success. From there,
success fuels more success for yourself and those around you. Once you figure
out how to win, the culture of winning becomes ingrained as second nature.
While he is remembered for leading
the greatest team in NBA history, it took years to find the right kind of help
to get him to the top. While history still sees him as "the guy," it
took years of adding the right pieces around him to build the ultimate culture
and formula.
Takeaway: Being the smartest, most gifted person in the room only
gets you so far when the odds are stacked against you. You’ve got to surround
yourself with other valuable talent and role
players who are willing to sacrifice individual accolades for the greater good.
The opportunity to be on a team that’s going in the right direction will help
you inspire and attract top talent.
Michael was--and still is--driven by
the desire to be the best. But he realized from an early age that his talents
alone wouldn’t carry him to the top. He had to add size, maturity, strategy,
and new skills in order to take down the many other hurdles standing in his
way.
Takeaway: Be honest with yourself and understand what your weaknesses
and strengths truly are, both as an individual
and a leader. Should you do the same analysis of your competitors, you’ll find
that you possess many dangerous weapons that they have no defense for.
With legends such as Larry Bird and
Magic Johnson carrying the NBA torch through the 1980s and early '90s, Michael
knew exactly who was on top of NBA’s Mount Rushmore. Even before he had a
single championship to his name, he knew the future was his for the taking. And
once that thought was in his head, nobody was going to stop him, the haters
included.
Takeaway: To be the best, you have to first conceptualize
it. Just like you would fantasize
about hitting the game-winning shot in your own driveway as a kid, it’s vital
that you visualize the thrill of victory--that you see that your company can be
the true leader in your industry. When you know what success looks like, you
can take every necessary step to make it a reality. Just be sure not to mistake
cockiness for confidence.
Nearly 15 years after retiring from
a legendary career, MJ is still remembered as the G.O.A.T. Not only did he
help transform a sport and inspire an entire generation, his contributions
spanned the globe and transcended far beyond the hardwood. As a businessman,
his clothing brand remains iconic, and he remains active in a number of
endeavors that enhance the lives of millions.
Takeaway: As an entrepreneur, you’re only hardwired to think about
today and tomorrow, not 10 or 50 years from now. That focus is critical to remaining
on course with your main objectives. However,
you need to take some time to look at the longer-term vision for your business
or cause. How will it thrive long after you give up your position at the helm?
Are you building something for your children, your community, or even complete
strangers to benefit from? The answers to those questions can be far more
rewarding than the fruits of your labor today.
By André Walters
@shopYuno
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