In 'Eleven Rings', Phil Jackson, legendary NBA coach, takes readers on an incredible journey through his basketball career and the philosophies that led him to win eleven championships with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers. With deep insights into the art of leadership and team dynamics, Jackson reveals the importance of mindfulness, spirituality, and connection in achieving greatness. Each ring tells a story of triumph, adversity, and the unique personalities that shaped these historic teams. Drawing from Eastern philosophies and his own experiences, Jackson challenges the traditional approaches to coaching and success. This memoir isn't just a chronicle of victories; it's a profound reflection on the deeper meanings of teamwork, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.
By Phil Jackson, Hugh Delehanty
Published: 2014
"The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team."
"Through candor and comprehensiveness, Jackson writes a convincing revisionist take, in which he emerges as an excellent coach . . . highly readable . . . reflects Jackson’s polymathy." —The New York Times Book Review "Part sports memoir, part New Age spirit quest, part pseudo-management tract . . . But the primary thing with Jackson—as with all the old bards, who were also known for repeating themselves—is the voice." —Sam Anderson, The New York Times Magazine A New York Times Bestseller The inside story of one of basketball's most legendary and game-changing figures During his storied career as head coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, Phil Jackson won more championships than any coach in the history of professional sports. Even more important, he succeeded in never wavering from coaching his way, from a place of deep values. Jackson was tagged as the “Zen master” half in jest by sportswriters, but the nickname speaks to an important truth: this is a coach who inspired, not goaded; who led by awakening and challenging the better angels of his players’ nature, not their egos, fear, or greed. This is the story of a preacher’s kid from North Dakota who grew up to be one of the most innovative leaders of our time. In his quest to reinvent himself, Jackson explored everything from humanistic psychology and Native American philosophy to Zen meditation. In the process, he developed a new approach to leadership based on freedom, authenticity, and selfless teamwork that turned the hypercompetitive world of professional sports on its head. In Eleven Rings, Jackson candidly describes how he: • Learned the secrets of mindfulness and team chemistry while playing for the champion New York Knicks in the 1970s • Managed Michael Jordan, the greatest player in the world, and got him to embrace selflessness, even if it meant losing a scoring title • Forged successful teams out of players of varying abilities by getting them to trust one another and perform in sync • Inspired Dennis Rodman and other “uncoachable” personalities to devote themselves to something larger than themselves • Transformed Kobe Bryant from a rebellious teenager into a mature leader of a championship team. Eleven times, Jackson led his teams to the ultimate goal: the NBA championship—six times with the Chicago Bulls and five times with the Los Angeles Lakers. We all know the legendary stars on those teams, or think we do. What Eleven Rings shows us, however, is that when it comes to the most important lessons, we don’t know very much at all. This book is full of revelations: about fascinating personalities and their drive to win; about the wellsprings of motivation and competition at the highest levels; and about what it takes to bring out the best in ourselves and others.
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“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.”
Eleven Rings
By Phil Jackson, Hugh Delehanty
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Phil Jackson is a renowned author and former professional basketball coach, celebrated for his profound insights into leadership and team dynamics. Known for his unique writing style that combines personal anecdotes with philosophical reflections, Jackson's notable works include "Sacred Hoops: Spiritual Lessons of a Hardwood Warrior" and "Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success." Drawing on his extensive experience in coaching championship-winning teams, he explores the intersection of sports, spirituality, and psychology, offering readers a transformative perspective on both personal and professional growth.
Hugh Delehanty is an accomplished author and journalist known for his engaging narrative style and keen insights into contemporary issues. His notable works include 'The Unreflected Life', which explores the complexities of modern existence, and 'The Little Book of Common Sense', where he distills wisdom into actionable insights. Delehanty has a distinguished career in both writing and editing, contributing to various prestigious publications. His ability to elucidate difficult subjects with clarity and depth has earned him recognition in literary circles.
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