Three Communication Lessons from 'The Last Dance'
Weren't you watching in hopes to learn more about communication?
After five wonderful weeks, The Last Dance took a bow.
Through ten episodes, we saw Michael Jordan’s incredible skills, his relentless drive, and his willingness to win at all costs.
It reminded us that Michael Jordan was – and is – the greatest basketball player of all time.
It reminded us that leadership – and winning – has a price.
And it reminded us just how important communication is to leadership – and success.
While you may not have turned on The Last Dance for communication lessons, here are three that the series quietly conveyed:
Keep it simple
There are times in writing that call for descriptive detail and literary devices. But effective business communication messaging is short, simple, and clear.
In 1995, Michael Jordan decided to return to the NBA, following an 18-month hiatus and stint in Major League Baseball.
He didn’t have the internet or Twitter to announce his plans.
He had a fax machine.
He rejected the long statements that had been prepared for him, and instead communicated his return to professional basketball with just two words:
‘I’m back.’
The Chicago Bulls issued a statement confirming the news:
‘Today, Michael Jordan was activated as a Chicago Bull.’
Both statements are short, simple and clear.
And effective.
2. Vulnerability connects
In 1994, Scottie Pippen sat out the closing seconds of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference playoff against the New York Knicks, because Coach Phil Jackson decided it would be Toni Kukoc – not Pippen – making the final shot.
A sulking Pippen left the huddle and sat on the bench. Jackson gave him a chance to reconsider.
Pippen stayed on the bench.
Kukoc took the shot – nailed it – and the Bulls won the game.
But the celebration was marred by Pippen’s actions.
And in the locker room, quiet veteran player Bill Cartwright was visibly upset. With tears rolling down his cheeks, he earnestly addressed Pippen and his teammates, saying:
‘Pip, you let us down.’
Cartwright’s emotional, honest display moved the team – and Pippen.
Pippen apologized, the team forgave him, and they went on to beat the Knicks two days later.
3. Words matter
Jordan may have been the NBA’s MVP, but if The Last Dance gave an award for poor communication, it would not go to Jordan, Pippen, or any other player on the court.
It would go to Bulls General Manager Jerry Krause.
Krause made a lot of smart decisions as General Manager. He knew how to build a team and bring in players who complemented Jordan’s skills. Players like Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Toni Kukoc.
He brought in Phil Jackson and gave him his first NBA coaching opportunity.
But his communication skills – and his words – got him into trouble.
He was so desperate for recognition, that instead of celebrating what Jordan, Jackson, and the rest of the team had done, Krause diminished their contributions and sought credit for his own.
In 1997, following the Bulls second championship title in a row (their fifth in seven years), Krause was publicly talking about re-building the team.
This was demotivating and frustrating for Jordan who responded, ‘We are entitled to defend what we have until we lose it.’
Then came Krause’s quote that added even more fuel to the fire.
‘Players and coaches don’t win championships, organizations do.’
Now imagine you’re Michael Jordan, the greatest player of all time, the one who played 44 minutes (and scored 38 points) when you were sick with terrible food poisoning.
Imagine hearing that you and your teammates didn’t win the championship – it was the organization (and by implication, Jerry Krause) that won.
Krause claimed he had been misquoted – that he said, ‘Players and coaches don’t win championships alone’ – but that did little to placate Jordan.
‘I didn’t see the organization playing sick last year,’ Jordan said. ‘I saw a team out there.’
Krause’s words also got him into trouble with Scottie Pippen, who Krause underpaid and constantly talked about trading.
And Krause’s words got him into trouble with Coach Phil Jackson, after Jackson agreed to sign a one-year contract for the 1997-98 season.
Krause let Jackson know this would be his last year as Coach for the Bulls – regardless.
‘I don’t care if it’s 82–0 this year,’ Krause reportedly said to Jackson. 'You’re gone.'
After the Bulls won their third championship title in 1998, there was talk about going for one more try.
But Krause had done too much damage.
His words had caused too much damage.
And the championship Bulls team we knew never got to dance again.