Yesterday, I rewatched The Last Dance, all 10 episodes from start to finish. It’s the docuseries about Michael Jordan and his journey with the Chicago Bulls, one of the most legendary teams in NBA history.
Jordan took a struggling franchise and turned it into one of the greatest teams the sport has ever seen, maybe even the greatest. When you really get to know the story from the inside, it takes on a whole new level of meaning. On TV, people saw Jordan dropping 30 points a game, Scottie Pippen locking down opponents, and Horace Grant pulling down 15 rebounds like clockwork. It all looked effortless, like a perfectly orchestrated symphony.
Nothing could be further from reality; the story of the Bulls’ six championships were built on adversity, setbacks, and constant challenges. At the heart of it all was Jordan, an icon, a leader, and arguably the greatest athlete of all time, who came to one crucial realization: if he couldn’t get his team to work as one, he would never reach the top.
Around this time, Phil Jackson, the team’s head coach, stepped in. His approach was unconventional, even revolutionary. He introduced breathing techniques, handed out books on personal growth, and brought a whole new mindset to the game. A passionate reader himself, Jackson recommended titles like these:
- Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig – a lesson in attention and presence, helping players stay fully engaged the moment they stepped onto the court.
- Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman – specifically given to Michael Jordan to encourage personal growth and mental calmness.
- The Art of War by Sun Tzu – a blueprint for strategy, discipline, teamwork, and staying mentally sharp under pressure.
Everyone has their own way of handling pressure. For me, breathing, reading, and writing make all the difference during high-stress moments at work. These moments are inevitable, but if you face them with calm, you can turn them into opportunities to grow and come out even stronger.
Lately, I had let go of one of those tools: writing. Giving up something that fuels you should never be an option. So here I am again, ready to share, create, and build a champion team, just like Michael Jordan’s Bulls and their six championship rings.
The Bulls had two golden eras. The first ran from 1991 to 1993, when Jordan was at his absolute peak, both physically and mentally. They won three straight championships, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers, Siroko’s favorite team, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Phoenix Suns.
After that third title, Jordan shocked the world by retiring. What followed was one of the toughest times of his life. His father, James R. Jordan, was murdered at the age of 56, a tragedy that deeply affected him.
The second era of glory, from 1996 to 1998, is one of the most legendary periods in sports history. Jordan returned on March 19th, 1995, after almost two years in retirement, wearing number 45 on his back. His team broke the NBA record for victories in a single season with 72 wins and just 10 losses, becoming the greatest team in NBA history.
When you face a setback, it’s time to stop, reflect, and take action. These are the steps I use to fix a problem:
QUANTIFY THE PROBLEM – BE AWARE
We may want to reinvent the wheel, but 90% of business problems revolve around numbers, whether positive or negative. You might have problems growing too fast in a short time, leading to cash-flow mismatches, team imbalances, or new demands you’re not prepared for. Alternatively, you might face issues from selling too little, not meeting forecasts, or even selling too much and generating so much traffic that your servers can’t handle the load.
Ultimately, problems boil down to numbers. Which specific numbers are we talking about? How much money do I need? How much will I need in the future?
RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM – BE VULNERABLE
Own your mistakes. It might sound obvious, but it’s not as common as you’d think. Too often, we try to pass the ball, to use a basketball analogy, shifting blame onto external factors for problems that are really our responsibility; or at the very least, a shared responsibility within a team. If I don’t take ownership of my mistakes, vulnerabilities, strengths, and flaws, I can’t fix anything. There’s no other way.
ASK FOR HELP – TAKE ACTION
After quantifying, measuring, and recognizing the mistakes you’ve made, it’s time to take action. How can I solve it? Surely, there are people who have already faced your problem; possibly even bigger ones.
One of my mentors always says, “Hire someone who has already done it.” Experience brings perspective. Those of us who have been through tough situations know that no problem is unsolvable. The more times you face similar challenges, the easier they become to handle.
Work with professionals who have already been through what you’re dealing with, people who can walk you through the best solutions step by step. Seek advice from as many experienced people as possible: directors, CEOs, mentors, psychologists… Anyone who can offer valuable insights. Call them, meet with them, ask questions. People love to help and feel useful, and most will gladly do it for free.
LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS
Organizations, companies, sports teams, it does not matter. Always look for long-term solutions, the kind that protect you in the future and give you the clarity you need to make big decisions, whether it is hiring new talent, implementing new processes, or adopting new technology to tackle your biggest challenges.
Avoid quick fixes. Focus on solutions that allow you to work with a clear mind and take your organization or team to the next level, to the level of NBA champions.
When the Bulls lost Horace Grant, they signed Dennis Rodman. They knew he was a controversial figure, a wild card who loved to party and needed special management. He was known for disappearing to Las Vegas, but he was also an incredible teammate, someone who would give everything for the team. Bringing him in took serious effort, but it paid off.
With Michael Jordan’s return after his father’s tragic passing and the addition of Rodman, that free spirit, the Bulls won three more consecutive championships, cementing their legacy as the greatest team to ever step on a basketball court.
Peace.
“The last shot”
