In Order To Sum Up The Overall Essay, The Most Point Is To Play Hard, Play Fair Book Review Sample

Managing the team is an art rather than a science. There are no specific rules on how to manage a team and how to get the most out of the team. One leader may use different strategies and techniques in order to get the most out from the team, whereas another leader might come up with different style to enhance the productivity of the team. This essay highlights the philosophy of leadership from the perspective of Phil Jackson. The overall essay analyzes leadership and how Jackson built the team as explained by him in his book Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior. Phil Jackson was the coach of one of the most successful NBA teams of all time, Chicago Bulls that include high profile players like Michael Jordan. Phil Jackson led his team to win six NBA Championships and this proofs the prolific leadership and coaching style.
The book Sacred Hoops signifies the success story of Jackson. The overall topic is very interesting as the book has identified and revealed the coaching secrets that Jackson has used during his coaching time and in making his team a successful one. With his approach, he was able to make the team to win the longest winning streaks in NBA at the professional level. The approaches that he has used in managing the team is among the most important and interesting topic that I felt to be discussed. Jackson tried to connect the technicalities and scientific approach with the emotional approach and he felt that the performance is not only based on technical skills as emotional aspect has a major influence on the performance as defined by him in his book. For instance, he focused on improving the performance of the individual instead of improving or changing the performer. He always emphasized on team work and benefits of the team rather than the individual approach. So overall his philosophy can be described as:
- Mental strength with scientific knowledge of the players
- Connecting every member of the team
- Emotional aspect of the players
- Ethical and spiritual issues
Another interesting and positively emotion aspect of his leadership approach as defined in his book was the value based visionary style which focuses on combining the hearts and emotions or minds of the players. He motivated players through love and tried to support them emotionally, spiritually, and even technically. Thus it allowed players to focus on the task or the game. He also emphasized on working with each other as brothers and always thinking for the team. Thus this also emphasized the players to give their best and make sure that the goal of the team is the most important priority.
Even though the book highlights the success factors of the leadership and coaching style of Jackson but still there are certain points that may stimulate negative emotions. For instance, if the emphasize of the coach or the leader is too much on the overall team and its performance then it may result that some players may become riders and they would wait and rely on others to achieve the success and make the team successful. Therefore there should have been a combination of both i.e. emphasize on the team work as well as the improving the performance of each and every individual in the team. Moreover, Jackson emphasized on treating other members of the team as brothers and to love them. However such an approach would result in decreasing the level of competition within the team and some of the players may not be able to perform to their fullest if competition is not within the team.
There are a lot of things to be learnt from this book. This book has been a great learning experience for all those who are looking to manage a team or become a coach. This book can be applied to any area of life and is not only restricted to sports. In addition to this, even business managers and leaders can use this book in order to enhance the performance of their team. The major things learnt have been presented below:
- Teams can perform better if players focus on “We” rather than “Me”.
- It is important to improve and correct the performance of the performer rather than the performer itself.
- Anger results in losing the focus of the individual. However it has to be used in a positive way so that it positively influences the tasks and team.
- One should not look for his own credit when working in a team because if individuals look for their own credits, then it would result the failure of the team.
- Peace of mind is very significant in order to achieve the result. Therefore when you are at work the focus should be on work.
- Treat other team members as brothers and love rather than competing against them as this may affect the performance of the team.
- The vision of the leaders should be shared among all the team members.
- Making the person technically strong would not result in higher performances as performance is also dependent on psychological factors and philosophical factors.