“Some of our greatest breakthroughs came when everything seemed to be falling apart.” – Phil Jackson
Kobe Bryant once described Phil Jackson’s coaching style like this:
(paraphrasing because I can’t find the exact quote…)
“Imagine a ship lost at sea, tossed around by storms, crew panicking, scrambling to stay afloat.
This goes for weeks and months.
Until, one day, the ship washes up on the shore of its destination.
Fully intact. Safe and sound. Mission accomplished.
That’s Phil.”
In other words:
Phil was a master at turning chaos into opportunity, not only because he embraced chaos…
But because he would actually create chaos:
Throwing his team into storms and forcing them to find their way, like a ship captain who teaches his crew how to swim by tossing them overboard.
For example:
He refused to call timeouts when opposing teams caught fire, insisting his players find solutions on the fly.
He deliberately mis-matched players in practice, pushing them into unfamiliar positions.
He changed rules mid-scrimmage without warning (once causing MJ to storm out of the gym).
He gifted books to his players that were intentionally triggering; forcing his players to see uncomfortable sides of themselves.
He even manipulated the media to create drama between his star players.
All on purpose.
The result:
Eleven championship teams, all famous for their cool, steady resolve under pressure.
Teams that could brave storms, navigate crisis, and turn chaos into opportunity.
Because, as Phil knew:
Chaos is guaranteed.
Nobody wins a world championship…
…Or, for that matter, builds a successful business, creates a lifelong relationship, raises a happy family, reaches mastery, insert big goal here…
…Without facing storms, chaos, and crisis.
Repeatedly.
And the defining feature of those who accomplish big goals, with no exceptions:
Is that when chaos inevitably comes…
When the waves crash, the wind howls, and the storm thunders overhead…
When others retreat and run for cover…
They steady their stance, steel their mind, and step into the storm head-on.
And, when the storm is too big to bear…
They themselves become bigger.
Happy Tuesday.
- T
P.S. In case you missed it yesterday…
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