Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started for free
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Eleven Rings summary
Phil Jackson, Hugh Delehanty
The Soul of Success
19 mins
Brief summary
Eleven Rings delves into Phil Jackson’s remarkable coaching journey, sharing leadership wisdom from his experience leading teams to 11 NBA championships. It illustrates his unique approach to fostering team cohesion and unlocking potential.
Table of Contents
Eleven Rings
Summary of 6 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 6
Phil Jackson’s leadership formula
Phil Jackson’s career as an NBA coach was nothing short of legendary. But before looking at his triumphs on the court, it’s worth pausing to understand the principles that shaped his leadership approach. True to his style, Jackson always explained the why upfront – so rather than saving the takeaways for the end, let’s begin with them, Jackson-style.
His first principle was to lead from the inside out. Don't study what other coaches are doing; listen to your authentic voice. For Jackson, that meant incorporating personal spirituality into professional strategy, experimenting with everything from Christian mysticism to Zen meditation. Did the players think he was a bit kooky? Sure. Did he get results? Absolutely.
The second principle was to bench your ego. The more directly you try to exert power, the less powerful you become. When you distribute power as widely as possible throughout your organization, you can focus on your true role as keeper of the team's vision.
From there, he emphasized the importance of letting players discover their own destiny. Don't think for them. Standard NBA practice when the opposing team goes on a 6-0 run? Call timeout immediately. Jackson preferred letting the clock run, forcing players to solve problems themselves. Michael Jordan called this building the team's "think power," creating resilient, problem-solving athletes.
Jackson also believed in turning the mundane into the sacred. Even elite-level sports can start to feel monotonous and uninteresting. Jackson incorporated rituals and ceremonies that elevated practice sessions, keeping players focused on their larger destiny rather than just going through the motions.
At times, though, he knew you needed to sometimes pull out the big stick. In the strictest form of Zen, monitors use a stick called a keisaku to strike dozy meditators and snap them to attention. Jackson's keisaku wasn’t a literal stick, but a commitment to shaking things up. Occasionally he’d surprise players with silent practice sessions or scrimmages with the lights out, to keep everyone on their toes
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Jackson taught his players to forget the ring. Jackson believed in approaching competition with joy and creativity rather than grinding desperation. This belief was inspired by the ancient philosopher Lao-Tzu, who wrote, "The best athlete wants his opponent at their best." When you focus on the beauty of the game itself rather than obsessing over outcomes, you actually perform better. Focus on the journey, is Jackson’s motto, and championships will take care of themselves.
Want to see all full key ideas from Eleven Rings?
Key ideas in Eleven Rings
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Eleven Rings about?
Eleven Rings (2013) recounts how Phil Jackson became the most successful coach in NBA history, leading his teams to eleven championships. Blending deep spirituality with unconventional coaching tactics, Jackson developed an innovative leadership style that not only transformed his players but also reshaped the game of basketball itself.
Who should read Eleven Rings?
- Managers looking to lead through collaboration rather than control
- Sports professionals seeking to master proven coaching techniques
- Basketball fans eager for a courtside view of one of the game’s greatest careers
Categories with Eleven Rings
Book summaries like Eleven Rings
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.8 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
43 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth