Some people are drawn to intensity....but it is definitely not for everyone...."That's how I played the game. That was my mentality. If you don't want to play that way, don't play that way." -- Michael JordanLike many, the ESPN docuseries "The Last Dance" (which ends this weekend) about Michael Jordan and the '98 Chicago Bulls has been appointment viewing in our house over the past month.In addition to the compelling storytelling (not just about the 1998 team but really the history of Michael Jordan and the 6 championships he won in the NBA), the nostalgic music selections from that era have been spectacular.As sports fans (particularly with a young one in our house who really only knows the players interviewed and referenced from the computerized versions he sees on the Xbox), it has been a fun look back. But I found the penultimate episodes to be especially meaningful as an inside look at leadership and the role of intensity as it pertains to operational excellence.Michael Jordan had one goal in mind in any competition: dominate and destroy each opponent in order to win. He was an asshole about it -- he felt completely justified, even at the expense of being liked by teammates.And it is pretty clear as you watch each episode that, despite the consistent winning of championships, Jordan's teammates did not really like him as much as they feared him. He was stifling. He was exacting. He was biting. He was grating. He was unrelenting. He was a ruthless bully that pushed everyone around him to strive towards the same perfection that he expected of himself.For most, this series is the first time they are seeing this side of Jordan as his intense on court villain persona was camouflaged by a carefully crafted corporate pitchman facade that kids wanted to be like. Intensity is a funny thing. It can be mesmerizing and intoxicating (see this week's Last Word for more this). It draws bystanders when it is at work. Sometimes intensity can be like a slow burn, and sometimes it is loud and in your face. It creates friction and velocity. It makes things happen. The down side: intensity also scares the living sh*t out of people.Intensity is extremely hard for most people to manage, particularly if it is prolonged. It is single minded in its approach, it is tireless and it eventually makes everyone very uncomfortable.Do you know anyone who you or others would characterize as "intense"? Work with them? Manage them? Live with them? They can be exhausting, am I right? Even if it happens to be you. Make no mistake: an intense asshole without talent is simply an asshole. But put an intense and talented person on a team of people who want to win, provide them with some guidance, encouragement and boundaries to do their thing, and, as the Chicago Bulls have shown us, magic can happen. You just have to be willing to be uncomfortable, to keep up and be willing to go along for the ride.Watch this >CLIP< of Jordan emotionally describing his philosophy at the end of episode 7. If you had something to prove or a goal to achieve, would you want someone like this on YOUR team? Even if it meant they might not always be so nice or comfortable or easy to manage?It's up to you. If you don't want to play that way, don't play that way.....For me? Absolutely. I'd trade comfort for someone who is focused, intense and talented on my team just about every time. Thoughts? Drop me a line and let me know. In the meantime, please stay safe and enjoy your weekend. Got some good stuff for you to check out below.XOXODave
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FoD #178: last dance
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Some people are drawn to intensity....but it is definitely not for everyone...."That's how I played the game. That was my mentality. If you don't want to play that way, don't play that way." -- Michael JordanLike many, the ESPN docuseries "The Last Dance" (which ends this weekend) about Michael Jordan and the '98 Chicago Bulls has been appointment viewing in our house over the past month.In addition to the compelling storytelling (not just about the 1998 team but really the history of Michael Jordan and the 6 championships he won in the NBA), the nostalgic music selections from that era have been spectacular.As sports fans (particularly with a young one in our house who really only knows the players interviewed and referenced from the computerized versions he sees on the Xbox), it has been a fun look back. But I found the penultimate episodes to be especially meaningful as an inside look at leadership and the role of intensity as it pertains to operational excellence.Michael Jordan had one goal in mind in any competition: dominate and destroy each opponent in order to win. He was an asshole about it -- he felt completely justified, even at the expense of being liked by teammates.And it is pretty clear as you watch each episode that, despite the consistent winning of championships, Jordan's teammates did not really like him as much as they feared him. He was stifling. He was exacting. He was biting. He was grating. He was unrelenting. He was a ruthless bully that pushed everyone around him to strive towards the same perfection that he expected of himself.For most, this series is the first time they are seeing this side of Jordan as his intense on court villain persona was camouflaged by a carefully crafted corporate pitchman facade that kids wanted to be like. Intensity is a funny thing. It can be mesmerizing and intoxicating (see this week's Last Word for more this). It draws bystanders when it is at work. Sometimes intensity can be like a slow burn, and sometimes it is loud and in your face. It creates friction and velocity. It makes things happen. The down side: intensity also scares the living sh*t out of people.Intensity is extremely hard for most people to manage, particularly if it is prolonged. It is single minded in its approach, it is tireless and it eventually makes everyone very uncomfortable.Do you know anyone who you or others would characterize as "intense"? Work with them? Manage them? Live with them? They can be exhausting, am I right? Even if it happens to be you. Make no mistake: an intense asshole without talent is simply an asshole. But put an intense and talented person on a team of people who want to win, provide them with some guidance, encouragement and boundaries to do their thing, and, as the Chicago Bulls have shown us, magic can happen. You just have to be willing to be uncomfortable, to keep up and be willing to go along for the ride.Watch this >CLIP< of Jordan emotionally describing his philosophy at the end of episode 7. If you had something to prove or a goal to achieve, would you want someone like this on YOUR team? Even if it meant they might not always be so nice or comfortable or easy to manage?It's up to you. If you don't want to play that way, don't play that way.....For me? Absolutely. I'd trade comfort for someone who is focused, intense and talented on my team just about every time. Thoughts? Drop me a line and let me know. In the meantime, please stay safe and enjoy your weekend. Got some good stuff for you to check out below.XOXODave