Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson

Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success by Phil Jackson is the inspiring account of one of the most successful sports figures of all time. Written by The New York Times bestselling author, this book chronicles the incredible career of 11-time NBA champion and legendary coach, Phil Jackson.

Jackson’s story starts at the beginning, sharing details from his childhood and twenties—a time before he was an iconic leader in the NBA. Jackson speaks of his upbringing on the plains of North Dakota, and how his work ethic and competitive spirit were cultivated from a young age. He also takes readers on a journey through his playing days and his quick transition to coaching.

The main focus of the book is Jackson’s years as coach of the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, two powerhouses of the NBA that dominated the league during their respective tenures. Jackson reflects on the strategies and techniques he implemented while coaching teams and draws on his Zen philosophies to provide a holistic approach to the game.

He draws on his personal relationships too, particularly the contentious one he had with Michael Jordan, to offer insight into the nature of motivation, respect and bonding within teams. Jackson’s lessons are applicable to any type of competitive environment—from sports to corporate teams, and master’s degrees to Hollywood productions.

By intertwining anecdotes from his coaching days with Zen wisdom and musings, Jackson’s inspirational book promotes the importance of teamwork, passion and determination in achieving success. A truly powerful read, Jackson’s Eleven Rings—The Soul of Success provides inspiring insights into an extraordinary career.

As the head coach of both the Bulls and the Lakers, Jackson enjoys an incomparable basketball pedigree. He began his coaching career in 1989 with the Bulls, orchestrating one of the most successful dynasties in NBA history. Jackson guided the Bulls to an incredible six championships in eight years, building a dynasty worthy of comparison with the greatest teams in basketball history.

After two championships with the Bulls, Jackson and his triangle offense moved to the Lakers in 1999. In Los Angeles, Jackson picked up right where he left off in Chicago, leading the Lakers to five championships in seven seasons.

The troubles and triumphs along the way are instrumental to Eleven Rings. From his questionable decision to coach Michael Jordan to Dennis Rodman's off-court antics with the Bulls, to Shaq and Kobe's divergent personalities with the Lakers, Jackson successfully overcame every obstacle, and his book is a testament to that.

Throughout Eleven Rings, Jackson’s remarkable basketball acumen and Zen wisdom are consistently interwoven. His ability to draw on both his knowledge of the game and his spiritual philosophies makes him one of the NBA’s most unique figures.

When reading Eleven Rings it is clear Phil Jackson stands far apart from any other coach in the NBA. His success with the Bulls and the Lakers, combined with his unique motivational approach, have established him as one of the great leaders of sport. For those looking to inspire their colleagues, teammates and opponents, Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success is a must-read.