Leadership Capacities

Michael Jordan was a leader who demonstrated moral purpose. His purpose was to be the best basketball player to ever play. Jordan always practiced harder and longer than any other players to show the world every night that he was indeed the best player on the planet. His dedication and love of the game lead him to a celebrity status beyond his original stage and onto multiple platforms. Jordan’s skill, personal style, and competitiveness have flowed from the game of basketball into every part of his life. Many sports writers give him the distinction of being the best basketball ever which allowed him to fulfill his moral purpose.

Michael Jordan used the change process during his career to become a more complete player rather than just a scorer. He forced himself to trust in his teammates to score and used passing to help overcome the Detroit Pistons in his path the three straight NBA Championships. Jordan built relationships with his teammates off of the hardwood to further cement his trust in them. He also built relationships with many businesses such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Chevrolet, Gatorade, Wheaties, Hanes, McDonald’s, and Rayovac to create his empire. Today, Jordan is still the face of many corporations five years since his last retirement from the NBA.

Michael Jordan used his knowledge of basketball to share with others. He often would stay after practice to help younger NBA players refine their skills. Jordan also would return to the University of North Carolina each summer to play against the Tar Heels with hopes of them improving their skills. He would also share his skills with many youths who attended his basketball camps. Michael Jordan understood he was the measuring stick for basketball players and through sharing he helped give back to the game that gave him so much.

Works Cited

Jordan, M. (1998). For the Love of the Game: My Story. Chicago, IL: Crown Publishers, INC.

Halberstam, D. (2000). Playing for Keeps. New York, NY: Random House.

Jordan, M. (2005). Driven From Within. New York, NY: Atria Books.

Jordan, M. (1994). I Can't Accept Not Trying. San Francisco, CA:Harper Collins Publishers.

Leadership Qualities

My experience with Michael Jordan has led me to classify him with the behavior characteristics of competition and achiever. Michael Jordan acts a competitor because his career is the yardstick for all great NBA players and he loved to win. Other competitors drove Jordan to be the best in his sport and business adventures. As an achiever Jordan has a drive to succeed and a constant need for fulfillment. From that statement, Michael Jordan always tried to continue to achieve despite being hugely successful. He truly had an internal fire burning brightly inside of him. His internal fire and desire continually pushed him to do and achieve more.

Michael Jordan had two major turning points during his life. His game-winning shot for the University of North Carolina to win the National Championship versus Georgetown in 1982 placed him into the national spotlight. The second turning point in Jordan’s life was the murder of his father in 1993. It was the first time in Jordan’s life he was without his father during his basketball career. The murder of James Jordan was one of the major reasons why Michael Jordan retired from the game of basketball in 1993.

Michael Jordan experienced failure by not beating the Detroit Pistons in the NBA playoffs for three consecutive seasons from 1987 to 1990. He led the NBA in scoring each of those seasons. Detroit instituted the “Jordan Rules” against the Chicago Bulls in the playoffs. The “Jordan Rules” were a series of double and triple teams of Jordan which prevented him from scoring. Jordan’s failure to beat the Pistons forced him to realize he needed to pass the ball and trust his teammates to score. His past three failures against the Detroit Pistons, new pass first score later mentality, and a fresh trust in his teammates would help lead the Chicago Bulls to sweep the Pistons in four games during the 1991 NBA Playoffs. Jordan and the Chicago Bulls would go on to win its first of three straight NBA championships later that year.

Works Cited

Jordan, M. (1998). For the Love of the Game: My Story. Chicago, IL: Crown Publishers, INC.

Halberstam, D. (2000). Playing for Keeps. New York, NY: Random House.

Jordan, M. (2005). Driven From Within. New York, NY: Atria Books.

Jordan, M. (1994). I Can't Accept Not Trying. San Francisco, CA:Harper Collins Publishers.

Overview of Leader

Michael Jordan is a leader who has shaped the world for almost everyone and has been dubbed “the greatest basketball player ever.” He has not only molded the world of athletics, but Jordan has also transformed the entire world we will live in some way. Michael Jordan is an effective leader on the basketball court because of his successes and fierce determination. He was instrumental in popularizing the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s. His ability to affect the world has developed him into a powerful leader off the hardwood.

Michael Jordan ranks third all-time in N.B.A scoring and second in steals. He would finish his career with five NBA Most Valuable Player awards. Jordan was a 14 time NBA All-Star, a three time NBA All-Star game Most Valuable Player, a 10 time NBA First Team selection, nine time NBA All-Defensive Team selection, two time NBA Slam Dunk Competition winner, and was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1998. Michael Jordan led his Chicago Bulls to capture six NBA World Championships and would earn six NBA Finals Most Valuable Player awards. He was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. ESPN has awarded him with an ESPY for 1990s Male Athlete of the Decade Award. In 2000, Jordan garnered ESPN’s ESPY for Athlete of the Century. His basketball talents are well noted and will be a unanimous selection to the Basketball Hall of Fame on his first attempt in 2009.

Michael Jordan has been regarded by many as the greatest player in NBA history and has helped to lead the NBA into the 21st century. During his career, he helped to lead the NBA transfer from an American sport to a global powerhouse. Michael Jordan continues to be one of the faces of basketball and the business world far after retiring from basketball.

Works Cited

Jordan, M. (1998). For the Love of the Game: My Story. Chicago, IL: Crown Publishers, INC.

Halberstam, D. (2000). Playing for Keeps. New York, NY: Random House.

Jordan, M. (2005). Driven From Within. New York, NY: Atria Books.