Don’t learn the wrong lessons from “The Last Dance”

Netflix’s documentary The Last Dance captivated millions by chronicling Michael Jordan’s legendary career with the Chicago Bulls. It showcased six NBA championships, unforgettable moments, and the relentless drive of arguably the greatest basketball player in history.

But beneath the triumphs lies a subtle danger: many viewers interpret the documentary as proof that fear, toughness, and harshness are the keys to leadership and team success. As an IT professional and team manager, I want to highlight why that is a misguided takeaway and what we can truly learn about leading high-performing teams.

The Three Facts Everyone Takes Away

From The Last Dance, three core facts emerge:

1. Michael Jordan could be difficult and even abrasive. He admits to being controlling, petty, and at times harsh with teammates.
2. The Chicago Bulls won six NBA championships. They became one of the most successful sporting franchises in history.
3. Many viewers assume the championships were won because of Jordan’s tough personality.

It’s the third point that is misleading. There is no empirical evidence that being abrasive is a prerequisite for success. The Bulls’ dominance was driven by talent, strategy, and teamwork—Jordan’s behavior alone cannot be credited as the catalyst.

Earned Leadership vs. Fear-Based Leadership

One of the key distinctions between Michael Jordan and leaders who attempt to emulate his perceived “hard edge” is earned authority.

Jordan held his teammates to a high standard because he demonstrated it himself. He did not ask anyone to sacrifice more than he was willing to. This is fundamentally different from fear-based management, where leaders coerce performance through intimidation or pressure.

Key Principles from Jordan’s Leadership:

• Lead by example: Demonstrate the standards you expect. In IT, this could mean adhering to change management processes or maintaining high coding or documentation standards.
• Set clear expectations: Jordan had a clear vision of what success looked like and communicated it effectively to his teammates.
• Empower your team: While Jordan pushed his team hard, he also relied on their unique talents and acknowledged their contributions.

Contrast this with leaders who try to achieve results through fear—they may see short-term compliance, but team morale, retention, and creativity suffer dramatically.

The Danger of Misreading the Documentary

Many leaders and managers extract the wrong lessons from The Last Dance:

• “Be tough and ruthless to achieve success.”
• “Sacrifice and suffering are mandatory for high performance.”
• “Drive people through fear to extract their best work.”

While these narratives make for compelling television, in reality, high performance in IT, sales, or any professional environment thrives on respect, psychological safety, and engagement. Fear-driven cultures create burnout, reduce collaboration, and often stunt innovation.

What Truly Drives Success

If the Bulls’ success wasn’t solely due to Jordan’s tough personality, what lessons can IT and business leaders take away?

1. Talent and Skill Matter Most

Jordan’s unparalleled skill and impact were the core of the Bulls’ championships. In IT teams, this translates to:

• Hiring the right people for the right roles.
• Ensuring team members have access to training and professional development.
• Focusing on skill growth over fear-based motivation.

2. Collaboration Beats Intimidation

Even the greatest talents cannot succeed alone. Jordan’s ability to leverage his teammates’ strengths was crucial. Similarly, IT leaders should:

• Encourage cross-functional collaboration.
• Delegate responsibility effectively.
• Recognize contributions publicly to reinforce positive behavior.

3. Risk-Taking and Learning from Failure

One aspect of Jordan’s career often overlooked is his courage to step outside his comfort zone—he left basketball to play baseball, an unfamiliar sport. The Bulls struggled in his absence, highlighting that success depends on both individual excellence and team synergy.

In business and IT, this principle encourages:

• Experimentation with new technologies.
• Piloting innovative solutions without fear of failure.
• Embracing learning opportunities from mistakes.

4. Enjoyment and Workplace Happiness

Contrary to the narrative of suffering for success, many world-class leaders attribute their achievements to enjoying the process:

• Richard Branson (Virgin Group) emphasizes fun and curiosity as key drivers of innovation.
• Ben & Jerry’s founders built their company around community, creativity, and joy.
• Tony Hsieh (Zappos) prioritized happiness as a metric for employee engagement.

IT leaders should consider how to create a positive, energizing work environment rather than relying on fear or strict authoritarian tactics.

Applying These Lessons in IT Leadership

Here’s how IT managers and business leaders can take the right lessons from Jordan:

1. Set high standards and model them. If you expect adherence to change management or SLA targets, lead by example.
2. Empower your team. Delegate responsibility and provide tools for success rather than relying on threats or pressure.
3. Prioritize psychological safety. Encourage questions, experimentation, and reporting of mistakes without fear of retaliation.
4. Recognize talent. Celebrate wins and contributions to reinforce engagement.
5. Balance work with enjoyment. Teams that are energized and motivated perform better in the long term than those driven by fear.

Conclusion

The Last Dance is a fascinating documentary, but IT and business leaders should be careful not to misattribute success to abrasiveness or fear-based leadership. Jordan’s greatness lay in his talent, discipline, courage, and earned authority, not in being difficult.

For IT teams, sales teams, or any professional group, the most effective leadership combines:

• Clear standards and high expectations.
• Empowerment and collaboration.
• Recognition of individual and team strengths.
• A workplace culture that fosters engagement, learning, and enjoyment.

Remember, success is built on talent, trust, and collaboration—not fear and suffering. Take the right lessons from legends like Michael Jordan, and your team will thrive both in performance and morale.

Daniel Lutton

From my early days on the helpdesk through roles as a service desk manager, systems administrator, and network engineer, I’ve spent more than 25 years in the IT world. As I transition into cyber security, my goal is to make tech a little less confusing by sharing what I’ve learned and helping others wherever I can.