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 ReviewPart 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 MagazineA New York
Times BestsellerThe 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.
