I grew up a fan of the Detroit Pistons, so as a kid, I rooted for the “Bad Boys” of basketball…and I loved it. From an objective standpoint, and with the filter of hindsight, there are plenty of things about the late 80s Pistons that are tough to condone. An unhealthy aggression and sense of vengeance along with physical altercations both within the team and against opponents, make it tough to say they were the perfect team.
They were doing something right though, and they were doing it well enough to win two championships with Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan in the league. What they did, better than anyone at the time, was build culture. Everyone on the team knew their role and embraced it. Everyone knew what to expect from their teammates every time they stepped on the court. Leadership was clear and vocal about what the expectation were, and everyone was held accountable to meet those expectations (Thanks Laimbeer!). They consistently worked as a team to adapt to these roles, make adjustments when necessary, and support each other when the culture was challenged by external forces.
While I can’t advise anyone to physically fight their coworkers to establish expectations (No Thanks Laimbeer), borrowing some of the “Bad Boys” attitude may be highly beneficial in your work and personal life. Be clear and vocal about your expectations. Hold yourself and your team accountable. Come together and collaborate when faced with adversity. Seek out and be open to receiving support.
Whether you’re a Piston’s fan or not, you have to admit, the “Bad Boys” team found a way to be successful against the toughest completion in the history of professional basketball.