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.
Michael Jordan definitely had as a purpose the goal of becoming a successful basketball player, but as he was achieving that goal others surfaced. He became a successful business man and advocate for families. His first purpose allowed him to focus on his many charitable efforts. I think he is the face for so many companies because people realize he is genuinely a good person.
ReplyDeleteMatt stated that he used a “change process during his career to become a more complete player rather than just a scorer.” I think this is what has made him such a role model for today’s youth. Michael Jordan did not have to “showboat” in order to gain fame and notoriety. I think a true leader relies on his “teammates” to help achieve the goal.
Hi Matt,
ReplyDeleteYou have done a great job of sharing examples of Jordan's purpose and his willingness and ability to help others, especially children. He has the same dilemma as Lance Armstrong in that he has made some bad choices regarding moral purpose and many people would prefer to judge him based upon these decisions rather than the many positive ones that you have brought to light.
The section regarding his willingness to trust is a valuable lesson that we all must learn. Typically delegation is a trait that is a weakness of ours. The main reason is that we would prefer to do things ourself to be sure they are done "right". This example is valuable in that he felt the same way yet realized the team's success was built on team trust. These were great insights!
Michael Jordan became closely associated with Nike’s “Just Do It” campaign. “Just Do It” was an approach to advertising called “lifestyle marketing”. The ads were not necessarily about selling products, they were about nobler ideas. “Just Do It” focused on a nation of “couch potatoes and individuals fearful of pursuing dreams. It was both simple and inspirational. Similarly, Jobs had creative control over Apple’s “Think Different” ads. Without a mention of the product, the ads encouraged unique thought and creativity.
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