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Strategies for Success: An ongoing series

“I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” – Michael Jordan

Battinto Batts Jr., Executive Editor

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I watched Michael Jordan play hundreds of times, including once at court side as a journalist. I’ve stood next to him during a press conference and even had a brief one on one encounter with him. It’s hard not to be impressed with MJ.

But of all the impressive things he did in his career, I think this commercial might rank at the top. That’s above all the winning shots, the dunks, the championships.

Why?

Because it explains his success. Listen to his words. I don’t know what you take from it, but here’s what I get: Jordan is saying that he is not afraid of failure; he’s experienced that many times. And because he is not afraid of failure, he is not afraid of trying, not afraid of taking the risk.

There is no reward without risk. Jordan’s athletic talent is not what separated him from others. It was his intense desire to compete and willingness to step forward on the grand stage. It was his ability to take on challenges without allowing fear to overcome him. Sure, he was probably afraid, probably had some doubt, yet he didn’t let those factors consume him.

That is why Jordan was not afraid to try baseball. OK, so he failed, for the most part, at that. But he tried it. How many of us would have the gumption to leave something we are wildly successful at, at the apex of our performance, to attempt something new? It was undoubtedly easier for Jordan to do, given that he was already a multimillionaire and not concerned about financial security. Yet, there is something to be learned from this.

To grow, we must force ourselves to stretch beyond our comfort zone, beyond what we normally do. Yes, you could fall on your face. Or, you could discover something about yourself that will make you better and more valuable.

Strategies for success: An ongoing series

“The thing I’m going to sell to our football team, we’re not attempting to repeat. That special group of men in that locker room last night at the end of that game, that’s gone forever. There will be 53 new men in there. A lot of the faces will be the same, but nothing stays the same in this game. Those that remain, the roles will change. Some will ascend, some will descend.” — Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, just 10 hours after winning the Super Bowl.

Battinto Batts Jr., Executive Editor

Those are profound words from the youngest man ever to coach a team to the Super Bowl title. The words are profound for many reasons, the most significant being that Tomlin said this just a few hours after winning the Lombardi Trophy. He could be excused for reveling in the victory. I am sure Coach Tomlin was proud of his team’s accomplishment, but his words teach us something about success that is applicable beyond sports.

Success and winning are delicate, often separated from failure by mere fate or a matter of timing. When leading a team of individuals, success depends largely on getting that group of people to think as one with a common goal. If but one person bucks the concept, the entire team can suffer. But even if everyone on the team believes in and abides by the shared goal, there are other factors, some of them uncontrollable, such as injuries and departures that can influence the outcome. Teams that are able to adapt and respond favorably to these factors perform well. Yet, history shows us that only a fraction of the Super Bowl winners repeat as champions. That’s because of the immense competition. Every other team is trying to do the same thing.

Coach Tomlin’s words are applicable in our lives and the pursuit of success. When we achieve success, human nature tells us to replicate the steps in the process again and again to receive the same outcome. In general, that is sound judgment. However, we must realize that we are not alone in our pursuit. Others seek the same thing and are watching what we do for clues. At the same time, other factors such as consumer habits, technology and government regulation may change. Repeating success is not easy in the world of competition.

Many times there can only be one winner. And the victor is the one who adapted well, if not the best, to the circumstances and was blessed with fortunate timing and luck.