Emotional Intelligence Case Study: Magic Johnson Quits

No joy in being Laker's President

Source: Google Images

What can we learn about his tough decision and the emotional intelligence competencies, values, and courage to escape what felt like handcuffs for him?

• What are you clinging to that you no longer want to tolerate?
• What would you like to move on from or just quit?

Three Emotional Intelligence actions for more freedom are below.

In a surprise move Earvin “Magic” Johnson resigned from his position as President of Basketball Operations for the Los Angeles Lakers after two years. He felt handcuffed by the job’s restrictions and limiting his ability to help others and truly be himself.

As a basketball fan this was shocking as I thought he would be enjoying the position, power, influence and contributions to creating the best Laker team, which he so loves. They just finished a frustrating losing season even with the addition of Lebron James to their team. There certainly is information that went on behind the scenes that the public is not privy to that played a role.

It must have taken all of his Emotional Intelligence (EI) competencies to make this hard decision, which obviously let down millions of fans and the Laker ownership, especially Jeanie Buss. What can we learn from his experience to help us break free from our shackles.

• What are you not happy enough with?
• What are you just tolerating?
• What is your intuition craving for?
• What do you need to take the brakes off for?

Here are the top 3 Emotional Intelligent learnings we can take away from Magic’s decision.

1. Values: Are you living your values?

Magic said he was happier in his life before this job and wanted to return to his previous life. What values conflict was he experiencing daily? Here are some that seem apparent.

Mentoring, giving back and autonomy: The obvious values of being able to help others as a mentor, giving back to others along with the value of being autonomous or unconstrained.

Magic had just received a request from Serena Williams, the tennis star, to mentor her, which he didn’t have the time to do. Then Ben Simmons from the Philadelphia 76ers also asked Magic for mentoring. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has rules from doing anything that might entice a player away from another team they're under contract with. Mentoring another basketball player can be construed as tampering.

Even complementing other players is forbidden as tampering. Magic had received a $50,000 fine for praising Milwaukee Bucks player Giannis Antetokounmpo. Another NBA restriction was not tweeting, where Magic has 4,722,000 followers. Once he quit, he was free to be an enthusiastic basketball fan watching the playoffs.

Harmony: This must be another key value as he stated he didn’t like having to fire people and changing their lives. When I think of him I picture him with that big smile slapped on his face and connecting with others.

Dealing with conflict was uncomfortable for him with the whispering and backstabbing he felt in his leadership position.

Actions: In our consulting and coaching we ask people to identify their top five idea values, what do you want to move toward? Write them down. Then identify what are your realistic values the ones which you actually do every day. For example, ideal values maybe leadership, excellence and connection, while each day you may instead be living in management, mediocrity and superficiality. Notice are your five the same or is there a gap?

If this gap is continually draining for you, this is information you may want to take action on to lessen the gap. You can speak with your significant other, boss or a coach to design actions.

2. Emotional Self-Awareness: Are you aware of your emotions?

Magic had to evaluate daily how he was feeling and could he make it better in the position or by leaving the position. This often is a coaching strategy with executives and leaders who are not as happy as they want with their position. What can they change first within their position, second to explore options outside of the position? This process can feel more empowering than feeling stuck or being handcuffed.

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Being aware of what is going on with you emotionally is the start and not always easy. We operate on autopilot about 95% of the time. Plus, we don’t like to think deep or long on things. It is too easy to avoid uncomfortable situations, “grin and bear it” or just take short cuts.

In the Emotional Intelligence research, Emotional Self- Awareness not only is the best place to start raising your EI, but Emotional Self-Awareness influences and improves the other competencies.

In a study of 4322 participants from 283 global clients, the Hay Group reported that, "participants with high Emotional Awareness display more of all the Emotional Social Competency Inventory (ESCI) competencies at a strength or top 10% level. These findings led to the assertion that "Self-Awareness lies at the heart of Emotional Intelligence." (Korn Ferry Hay Group, 2013)

Actions: The first step is to notice and name what is going for you. What feeling is most common for you? Which ones would you like to experience more? Can you name it? How fluent are you in the variety of emotions we have? The Yale University Mood Meter app helps you name and differentiate the nuances and intensity of the emotion, on energy level and pleasantness. https://moodmeterapp.com/

3. Courage: Are you in your comfort zone?

In Magic’s press conference he talked about how he was frightened to face Jeanie Buss, the owner, as she was a sister to him. His decision though was for himself and his family, in spite of disappointing many. Even though harmony is a key value for him, this decision took precedence. Think of his courage to pull the bandage off now rather than continue with deal with the daily cuts to his energy and happiness.

He stated. “"What am I doing? I've got a beautiful life," said Johnson, laughing. "So, I'm gonna go back to that beautiful life."

In Brene Brown’s new book Dare to Lead, she states to get to courage you have to walk through vulnerability. She defines vulnerability as dealing with Uncertainty, Risk and Emotional Exposure. Magic’s decision certainly embodied all three emotions. It took courage to be seen, heard and be for himself.

Vulnerability takes many of the EI competencies such as emotional self-awareness, accurate self-assessment, self-actualization, emotional expression, confidence or courage, self-compassion, assertiveness and initiative to get what you want. Are you choosing comfort or courage as Brown speaks about?

Actions: Think about these questions and subsequent actions below:

• What are tolerating that you know deep in your heart could be better?
• Who or what are your top Brain Gains – you get energy from them?
• Who or what are top Brain Drains that zap your energy?
• How can you increase time with gains and decrease time with drains?
• In one year from now how might you look back on this time? What would you have wanted to change?

In summary, use Magic’s story as motivation for you to take your shackles off and move toward your goals and more happiness regardless how challenging it may seem. For more information on Magic’s EI, I profile him in my Leading with Emotional Intelligence book.