By Ryan Kranc and Megan Jantos
Editor’s note: This piece is published to coincide with Army Leader Exchange’s second annual #MarchMasters competition. Click here to vote for From the Green Notebook or other leader development content creators.
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It’s an understatement to say that the use of sports analogies in the Army is common when teaching leadership lessons. As the NCAA’s March Madness Basketball Tournament approaches, it seems especially timely to look to books like Phil Jackson’s autobiography Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success for tips about how to improve our leadership skills. A legendary basketball coach, Jackson undoubtedly sets an example for Army leaders to follow. In fact, FTGN has even had one author go as far as putting himself in Jackson’s shoes to better reflect on his time in command.
If further evidence is needed that Jackson is worth emulating— or at least reading—he is most known for leading the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers to a combined total of eleven NBA championships. This noteworthy achievement solidified him as an icon in the sport and serves as the basis for the book’s title.
Jackson dedicates a chapter to outlining his leadership philosophy in 11 principles that he developed over his 40+ years as a player and a coach.
Despite the differences between sports championships and military operations, readers can draw parallels between the two. In fact, the Army has several ongoing efforts that align with Jackson’s personal philosophy.
His first principle tells readers to “lead from the inside out.” Like Army Career Long Assessments, Jackson emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and personal development as a player and leader.
His third and fourth, “Let each player discover their own destiny,” and “the road to freedom is a beautiful system,” both encourage readers to promote personal growth through the implementation of a system that allows players to excel and play instinctively. While imperfect, the Army Talent Alignment Process helps soldiers align with opportunities that enhance their knowledge, skills, behaviors, and preferences.
Jackson’s attention to individual performance always remains in service to the team’s greater good. His second principle tells readers to “bench their ego” and focus on team success over individual accolades. In the Army, initiatives like Army’s Best Squad Competition aim to place the same importance on collective success.
Jackson’s explanation of his sixth principle, “one breath=one mind,” mirrors the language around wellness in the Army’s Holistic Health and Fitness manual. Both sources suggest mindfulness and meditation as ways to improve individual and team performance.
In fact, almost all of Jackson’s leadership principles are addressed directly or indirectly in the Army’s Field Manual 6-22 Developing Leaders.
The rest of the book outlines how Jackson melded Eastern philosophy and Western values to develop his holistic approach to leadership. He did this by coupling his personal philosophy with the use of Tex Winter’s triangle offense and earned himself the informal title “Zen Master.” The triangle offense is a strategic and fluid approach to basketball that emphasizes spacing and player movement. Therein lies another parallel to Army leadership. Both Jackson’s approach to the offense and the Army’s philosophy of mission command aim to empower subordinates to make decisions and act in a decentralized manner.
Phil Jackson is highly respected for his ability to manage and inspire a diverse array of personalities, from superstars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to role players, fostering a strong sense of team cohesion and a winning culture. Just as the military emphasizes cultivating individual strengths within a cohesive unit, Coach Jackson challenges his players to seek personal growth and discover their own destiny. The introduction of mindfulness and meditation in the chapter “One Breath = One Mind” speaks to the military’s recognition of the value of focus, clarity, and unity in the face of challenges.
For military leaders seeking to enhance their approach to leadership, this autobiography, Eleven Rings, offers a compelling argument for why we should all read more biographies. Jackson’s wisdom is a guide for those implementing holistic health, executing mission command, and building cohesive teams while maintaining a winning attitude. In essence, this book serves not only as a captivating read for basketball enthusiasts but also as a resource for military leaders navigating the complex terrain of leadership and success.
Ryan T. Kranc is an Army Colonel with 24 years of service. He has served as an Engineer and an Armor officer. He is currently the commander of the 316th Cavalry Brigade at Fort Moore, GA.
Megan L. Jantos is an Army Lieutenant Colonel with 18 years of service. She has served as a Military Police, Public Affairs, and Information Operations Officer. She is currently the editor of the Army Leadership Exchange at Fort Leavenworth, KS.
