Michael Jordan’s Human Design
The Icons of Greatness Series
To become a legend, you can’t hide from the spotlight. But to command it, personal authenticity is the only currency that matters. Across every stage, what works is being unapologetically you.
The lens of Human Design gives us the rare opportunity to study powerful leaders from the inside out, not to idolize them, but to reverse-engineer their most authentic character traits and truly know the person. When we learn about how they tick–and even why they do–there’s a chance to discover the pattern beneath the persona, and learn about ourselves in the process.
How did they lead authentically? And why was it so intuitive for them to do it this way instead of that? As we trace their flexible destiny, what parallels can we draw to live and lead according to our own designs? This series is dedicated to decoding iconic operating systems and revealing the instincts that drive greatness, one leader at a time.
Here’s the most surprising part: Most people have never heard of Human Design–but what’s uncanny about these icons is that they behave as if they've already mastered theirs. In other words, very intuitive people have a lot to teach us about Human Design from the ground up. They don’t succeed because of Human Design–They’re blind to it. They succeed because they trust intuition above all else. But how do you trust intuition–exactly? Welcome to Human Design.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
Intuitive Mastery
Great leaders don't get stuck overthinking like the rest of us—they know. Their presence is their power–and love them or hate them, their way of inspiring, provoking, or influencing draws us in like gravity.
Strict Observations Only
We don’t have time to waste on fanciful speculation–we’re zooming in on the undeniable character traits that are impossible to ignore. Historical facts only. No vague generalizations. No labels or determinism.
The Mechanics of Destiny
We’ll explore the ‘archetypes of influence’ and the startlingly accurate guidance of the I'Ching–the ancient oracle behind the matrix of Human Design. (See all source material referenced in italics.)
What is Human Design? Want to look up yours? Start Here.
Michael Jordan’s
Human Design
Hot Take on MJ–We’re starting this series with Michael because, why not? No athlete has ever changed their sport, their industry, and impacted the world quite like Mike. Jordan’s presence was and still is magnetic, unmatched among his peers, but he wasn't a perfect human being. No one is.
Jordan tailored his image, but when it came to the competition on the court, he was an assassin–and a bully. But even for those who despised his ways, who could argue with the results? He set a ruthless standard, so high that no one could live up to it but him.
As a leader, this made it lonely at the top, but his competitive obsession elevated his teammates to his own fiery, championship mindset. His drive was the number one factor in the Chicago Bulls’ ultimate success–and the success of the Jordan empire. He was, and still is, one of one.
The Tao of Jordan
In Taoism, the Tao is “the path” or ‘the Way’—the natural ‘modus operandi’ that each being is meant to follow. Human Design reveals your Way, inviting your mind to surrender, letting your intuitive strengths guide your actions instead. Translation: Follow your operating system–and watch life get better.
Designed to be Industrious – 5/1 Profile, Cross of Industry
The first thing that paved Michael’s path to greatness is the life purpose he came with: The Cross of Industry. Remember, Human Design is not fate…It’s a Way, and the knowledge tells us that his potential is to be “a human dynamo–very busy working and building for humanity’s progress: a burning desire to feel the emotional potential in each new experience.” Michael was designed to persevere through his ambitious pursuits, and sometimes even “bite off more than he could chew.”
In other words, Michael was designed to live for the thrill of it all, not only to be industrious–but to impact industry. His love for competition showed up on the court, but his biggest contribution transcended the game itself. His fame made the NBA a global phenomenon, from the Dream Team in 1992, to starring in Space Jam in 1996. He built his image beyond the court, elevating Nike, McDonalds, and Gatorade, but most importantly, he introduced a new idea altogether–that the athlete could be the brand. By 1997, his legend even transcended the brand that made him, and the Jordan logo would become its own mega-brand, grossing $7B in 2024.
(Interesting footnote: The other prominent NBA player with the ‘Cross of Industry’ in Human Design? The late Kobe Bryant, the player most often compared to Jordan, and fellow Nike icon. –You can’t make this stuff up!)
Michael is a 5/1 Profile, meaning he is meant to shine as a prototypical leader–out in front where the lights are bright. Not all 5/1’s can live up to the spotlight, with all eyes on them, but if they can, their influence can be enormous. A ‘5/1 Cross of Industry’ means that once the leader is ready, trailblazing is a natural instinct–but they will probably break a few rules and make a few enemies in the process.
For instance, Jordan was not only the first NBA player to have his own shoe, but as rookie with zero experience, he represented a huge financial gamble for Nike, a struggling company at the time. As portrayed in the 2023 film Air, Nike and Jordan collaborated to make his shoes Chicago Bull’s colors–red, black, and white–which at the time was heresy: League rules stipulated shoes must be all black or all white. No color. The result was that the league fined Jordan $5,000 per game for wearing the Air Jordan 1, or $410,000 for the full season. The penalty paid off in sales, and Air Jordan was born.
Still, for some insiders, perhaps it was no gamble. Bobby Knight, Jordan’s 1984 Olympic gold medal coach, called Michael “the best basketball player I’ve ever seen” even before he’d played his first NBA game.
Designed for Charismatic Power – The Channel of Charisma, Gates 34.1-20.1
With this Manifesting Generator channel, Michael is someone designed to drive us forward through instinctive, unconscious personal actions, guided by his gut response. His heroic impulses often morph into “polarizing personal initiatives that force others to adapt to him,” and his subjects may not always react positively, as you’ll see below. Michael is meant to operate fully self-directed, guided by his responsive instincts—and whether you’re going with him or not–that's his gift. His saving grace? The infectious charisma he does it with. Love him or hate him, he's responding— and making you react.
Take his approach to teamwork for instance. Until later in his career, Michael wasn’t exactly a team-first guy. When confronted with the old adage "there's no 'I' in TEAM" from coach Tex Winter, Michael famously shot back with a grin, "There is an 'I' in win!"
Michael also went to great lengths to protect his individuality with a layer of superficial armor. With reporters, Michael often had a clever quip ready to entertain or deflect—floating his good-guy image while concealing his private feelings. It was his intuitive way of staying camera-ready, so he could focus on the most influential thing he did, which was beat you.
"Winning has a price and leadership has a price." –MJ
Designed to be a Bully – Gate 34.1
Just knowing Michael’s character as a fan of the game, the first thing that jumps off his chart is his primary unconscious archetype–The Bully. I said it already, but you can’t make this stuff up!
The knowledge tells us that ‘bully’ instincts are a “display of power as a response to frustration,” and lucky for Michael, professional sports are one arena where a leader can get away with this kind of behavior–and even get rewarded for it later–if they can deliver.
In "The Last Dance” documentary from 2020, Jordan's bullying style of leadership was framed as a driving force behind the team's success. Jordan quotes like "I will ridicule you until you get on the same level," and "If you don't want to live that regimented mentality, then you don't need to be alongside of me," are indicative. “If you don't get on the same level, then it's going to be hell for you." Jordan called his harsh reputation the price of winning and leadership. Some teammates called it tough love, others didn’t.
"Let's not get it wrong: He was an a--hole," a former teammate Will Perdue said. "He was a jerk. He crossed the line numerous times. But as time goes on, you think back about what he was actually trying to accomplish, you're like, yeah, he was a helluva teammate.”
Michael’s advice from the I’Ching? “The indiscriminate use of power as a response to frustration results in the comeuppance that is the inevitable destiny of the bully–and the ever present risk of retaliation." So did Michael ever learn his lesson? Probably not, because he won everything, and then retired, twice, before anyone could vanquish him.
Power Leads to Arrogance – Gate 14.5
Michael came programmed with the leadership and communication instincts to generate power, resources, and wealth. Few coupled grace and control like Michael, on or off the court. Yet the I’Ching tells us that for this kind of hero in possession of great ‘power skills,’ “there is an ever-present risk of arrogance.”
Michael was meant to wield his ‘power skills’ in the spotlight, and when he did so with dignity, you could feel it. He could bring a tear to your eye with his passion. But, when he felt slighted, he often lashed out with an air of insecurity and superiority. In the media, this often sounded like clever showmanship, but if it was directed at you, you were dead.
Designed to Destroy: Decapitation – Gate 40.6
Amongst the men on the court, perhaps no other player in history struck fear into his opponents like Michael. He was vindictive, the last guy you ever wanted to give extra motivation. "Don't ever talk trash to Black Jesus,” Jordan once said to Indiana Pacers star Reggie Miller.
Michael was always out to settle a score. He was not only going to humiliate you, but he was going to cut off your head. This is Michael’s coldest truth– any threat to his ego was dealt a cruel punishment, the total destruction of inferior forces. In Michael’s now infamous hall of fame induction speech, a riled up and teary-eyed Jordan set out to illustrate why he was still the greatest, singling out Bulls owner Jerry Krause, coach Pat Riley, and his most famous helpless victim, Bryon Russell.
Driven to Chase Dreams – The Channel of Recognition, Gates 30.5–41.1,41.5
In Human Design, this channel gives Michael his Emotional Authority. This means that in addition to listening to his ‘sacral sounds’–he must balance those gut responses by waiting out the ups and downs of emotions. The same goes for any Manifesting Generator or Generator with Emotional Authority like Michael (35% of people): When making a new, important decision, it’s actually the emotional process of feeling that matters more.
Knowing the difference between these two felt senses is crucial. A sudden gut response vs. the ‘timewave’ of a felt emotion are two very different experiences, and they alert you to very different information coming through you. And so for Michael, the key to making good decisions is waiting for gut reactions and emotions to agree. What’s the advice if you’re designed this way? Taking a few deep breaths to wait and feel the emotional weight of a situation before responding impulsively. Now, are you in a good place emotionally? –Then trust the gut response.
Michael is a person with an endless yearning to take in life and feel it completely, always hungry for the next emotional thrill. He often feels restless, anxious to get the next experience going. A new dream first begins with a period of contraction, a concentrated focus in isolation, and recognition of the new dream. Then, momentum builds to chase the dream–and even fate– until the emotional desire is fulfilled.
Michael can be an unreasonable hothead at times, channeling dissatisfaction with external limitations, as if there is always something more to prove. It can be angry and frustrating, “as each new feeling brings back an old feeling” for review. At the same time, he’s blessed with a methodical, practical way to realizing his dreams–and has the opportunity to develop humility in the process–with a ‘two steps forward-one step back’ approach that can eventually lead to achievement. Practice makes perfect?
"People didn't believe me when I told them I practiced harder than I played, but it was true." –MJ
The Power of Retreat – The Channel of Retreat and Remembrance, Gates 13.3–33.3
My favorite refrain from Michael that he often repeated was that basketball was his refuge, “The place I've always gone where I needed comfort and peace. It's been the site of intense pain and the most intense feelings of joy and satisfaction.” The retreat and safety of the practice court had a deep, spiritual meaning for him as the one place he could always go to find himself, drowning out the noise of everything going on around him.
The knowledge tells us retreat is not defeat–It’s an action. Michael came programmed to distrust the outside world by default. He trusted his family and inner circle, but he came with an innate suspicion of others that could only be disproven with trial, error, and concrete evidence. Trust had to be earned, and remembering what had gone wrong was only fuel for more work in isolation. For Michael, this was a conscious and deliberate cycle of remembrance, integration, and maturation that helped him re-emerge stronger and more resilient each time. Taking the time and opportunity to organize the past only made plotting the next victory that much more satisfying.
"That's where my comfort zone was created…I had always set short-term goals. As I look back, each one of the steps or successes led to the next one.” –MJ
Want to ‘Be Like Mike?’
Polished on the outside, but on the inside, a measured bully with a killer instinct? He drove us forward with his charisma–love him or hate him for it. Motivated by limitations and chasing the thrill of greatness–he was destined to be industrious.
Here’s the final shot–and what Michael can teach us about aligning to intuition:
“Most people struggle to be present. People go sit in ashrams for 20 years in India trying to be present. Do yoga. Meditate. Trying to get here. Now. Most people live in fear because we project the past into the future. Michael’s a mystic. He was never anywhere else… His gift was not that he could jump high, run fast, shoot a basketball. His gift was that he was completely present. And that was the separator.” — Mark Vancil, author of “Rare Air”
Now it’s your turn…
How big will your impact be?
How far will you go?
That’s a measure of the spirit inside...
Your Human Design? It shows you how to get there.
