As a player Michael Jordan was not only the greatest of all
time, but unquestionably a tremendous leader who got the most out of his team
and his teammates. Fast-forward 13
years and His Airness has put together the worst team in the history of the
NBA. In his five-year stint with
Bobcats, the Charlotte franchise has put together a model for futility and
uncertainty. Not only has the team
been woeful on the court, but the Jordan led Bobcats has floundered in the
community and spewed red ink like the tanker Exxon Valdez leaked oil. Additionally #23’s presidential tenure
with Washington Wizards set the D.C. based NBA franchise back years.
When Jordan first stepped into management, the general
public expected the Wilmington, N.C. star to demonstrate the same leadership
skills that resulted in six Chicago Bulls world championships. Jordan began to raise eyebrows about
his management skills by drafting Kwame Brown and compiling an inner circle of
cronies and friends with limited qualifications for important management positions. What many may forget is that there
are tons of examples of great players who have been marginal or worse coaches; and reality is that coaching is the purest form of leadership. Why does leadership as a player not
always transfer to coaching or management expertise?
The answer is simple.
They are two completely different skill sets. Great leaders all have one thing in common; their followers
have a great belief that the leader can help the team (organization) succeed
and will set the course to a vision that manifests itself in great rewards for every
member of the team. Great players
are usually focused on themselves and through their physical talents bring out
the best in every team member. As an executive that ability has no application. Off
the field leadership is all about identifying great talent, getting them to
buy-in to a vision and directing the leadership process everyday. Waking up daily and thinking what am I going to do today to make my team better. Currently MJ has demonstrated a substantial lack of ability and willingness to attack those issues.
Regarding talent identification, Michael has failed
miserably. In his personnel
decisions regarding players and management MJ has duplicated his minor league baseball career and struck out frequently. All one has to do is look at his first
round draft picks Adam Morrison and Kwame Brown and his revolving door of
coaches and it becomes apparent that his ability to employ individuals who can
make the Bobcats competitive is iffy at best. Good friend and contemporary
Charles Barkley even commented, “I think his biggest problem is I don’t know if
he has hired enough people around him who he will listen to....they want to fly
around with you on your private jet so of course,they won’t disagree with you.” Great leaders make decisions regarding
personnel based on what they will “bring to the dance” not based on friendship and
comfort.
Additionally Jordan has not demonstrated management
competence to have the fans, players and others constituents of the Bobcats
believe in him as an executive who is totally committed to the vision. Understandably Michael has tons of
other activities that become distractions. His success has provided untold opportunities ranging from
his pitchman responsibilities for Nike, Hanes, Gatorade, McDonald’s, etc. to
his golfing activities to Michael Jordan Motorsports. Until Michael totally commits to being
the same type of leader with his total concentration focused on leading the
Charlotte Bobcats, do not expect parallel results to those he accomplished as a
player. Great leaders are single
focused and until Michael can regain that burning passion as an NBA president
he had as a player, his chance to replicate that success will not happen. Even if he does start to totally commit
his time and focus to the Bobcats, there are no guarantees that #23 will ever
be a great executive leader. Remember being a
leader is complex and difficult and requires a unique set of personal
qualities. One thing for certain,
you will not be a successful leader if your team does not believe that you are “all
in” and totally focused making the vision come true.
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