Are You a Crappy Founder or Leader? Maybe You Don't Think So, But…
(If You're Not Getting the Results You Want, It's Time to Reignite Your Spark.)
Let’s be real—if your team isn’t thriving, you’re the problem. Maybe you’re grinding hard, putting in the hours, and running on fumes, yet something’s off. Your people aren’t performing at their best, the results aren’t coming, and deep down, you know you’ve lost that fire.
So what’s missing? Connection. The best leaders don’t just push people—they know them. They understand their strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and triggers. They set up an environment where their team rises to the occasion. And if you want to see this in action, look no further than Phil Jackson.
Basketball, My Dad, and Phil Jackson’s Secret
I’ve loved basketball since I was a kid. Growing up in South Africa, we were sanctioned, meaning access to international sports was… limited. But that didn’t stop my Dad and me. Late at night, after he’d closed up his restaurant, he’d come home, and we’d tune into a pirated station at midnight to watch Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dominate the NBA.
My Dad had played pro basketball in Greece for a short stint, when he was younger. He taught my sisters and me to play, coached our Greek community team, and even built me a small court when I played in university. But here’s the thing—he never took it easy on me.
It didn’t matter that I was his daughter. No mercy. No soft passes. No “let’s take it easy.” He knew what I was capable of, and he knew that if he went easy on me, I wouldn’t push myself to my full potential. He saw me for who I was—not who I thought I was. And because of that, I rose to the occasion.
That’s what I loved most about watching basketball with him. He knew every player—what they were capable of, how they thought, how they played—just like Phil Jackson did.
And it wasn’t just basketball. He did this with his staff, too. It was the key to his success as a serial founder and entrepreneur. He built businesses by deeply understanding his people. And that’s exactly what Phil Jackson did to win 11 NBA championships.
So if you're struggling to get the results you want, maybe it's time to stop managing and start understanding.
What Does it Really Mean to "Know" Your Team?
When I say know your team, I don’t mean asking about their kids or dogs and thinking that’s enough. Yeah, that’s part of it, but let’s be honest—it’s surface-level.
Truly knowing your team means:
Understanding what they’ve done so far and where they want to go.
Listening to their aspirations and dreams—who they want to become, not just what they do now.
Dissecting their past to identify what might be holding them back from contributing at their highest level.
Creating an environment where they feel safe enough to share these things with you.
Ask yourself:
How many of your direct reports do you actually know?
Can you tell me what they accomplished before you hired them?
Do you know their aspirations, and have you built a space where they feel safe enough to share them?
Most leaders can’t answer these questions—and that’s why they struggle.
1. If You Don’t Know Your People, You Can’t Lead Them
I had an experience where I’d listen to how my leader introduced me. He would struggle and stumble, fumbling for words, but was quick to point out that half his team was female.
He knew I was a single mom—but had no clue what I was actually capable of. He just wanted the brownie points.
How many of you do the same thing? How many of you are leading based on optics instead of actual understanding?
Your team sees through it. And trust me, if they don’t feel seen or valued, they won’t perform for you.
2. Great Leaders Measure Success by Their Team’s Success
Another thing I see far too often? Leaders whose success is measured by their own individual results, not by the success of their team.
What’s the point of having a leader then?
Great leaders aren’t always the highest performers—they’re the ones who make everyone around them great.
Look at Phil Jackson. He wasn’t out there shooting threes, but he was building a system where his players could thrive. He wasn’t focused on his own ego—he was focused on making his team better.
3. Leadership Takes Courage—Stop Hiding Behind HR
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: it takes courage to connect with people. It takes courage to:
Really see someone.
Gently nudge them toward their potential.
Hold them accountable without breaking their spirit.
Create a culture where they feel safe enough to grow.
But too many leaders hide behind HR policies instead of actually leading. They don’t have the tough conversations. They don’t push people to be better. They avoid conflict and let issues fester.
Real leadership isn’t about hiding behind processes. It’s about stepping up and creating real human connections.
Be Like Phil (Or Be a Crappy Leader)
If you’re not getting the results you want, it’s time for a wake-up call:
Do you really know your team? Not just their job titles, but their strengths, weaknesses, fears, and motivations?
Are you helping them develop a stronger mindset?
Have you built a system where everyone can thrive?
Do you trust your people, or are you controlling them?
If you can’t answer those questions with confidence, then you’re not leading—you’re just managing.
And managing won’t get you championships.
So, are you a Phil Jackson-level leader or just another crappy founder or leader?
Your team already knows the answer. It’s time for you to find out.
So, What Now? How I Can Help You Level Up as a Leader
If reading this hit a nerve, that’s a good thing. It means you care. It means you want to be better—for yourself, for your team, and for your business.
That’s where I come in.
I work with founders, executives, and leaders who know they have more to give—but just haven’t cracked the code on how to truly unlock their team’s potential.
Here’s How I Can Help You:
✅ Leadership Coaching: I help you identify blind spots, refine your leadership style, and connect with your team in a way that drives real performance.
✅ Team Performance Optimization: I’ll help you assess who’s thriving, who’s holding back, and how to create an environment where everyone wins.
✅ Culture & Strategy Development: You don’t just need results—you need a system that ensures those results keep coming. Let’s build it together.
Your next step?
📩 DM me or Book a call to see how we can transform your leadership and build a team that actually delivers.
Because if you’re not getting championship-level results, why are you settling?
🔥 Let’s make you the Phil Jackson of your business.
