---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The fact that Phil Jackson asked a young…"
description: "\"The fact that Phil Jackson asked a young kid when he didn't have to and said, 'Hey, do I have permission to coach you?' Those are very powerful lessons..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/047/b-j-armstrong-5388_career_the-fact-that-phil-jackson-asked-a-young_1230830.png"
---

#  The fact that Phil Jackson asked a young kid when he…

![“The fact that Phil Jackson asked a young kid when he didn't have to and said, 'Hey, do I have permission to coach you?' Those are very powerful lessons that you learn. That's only happened to me a couple times in my entire career, that coaches would actually ask me that question. That just lets me…” quote by B. J. Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/047/b-j-armstrong-5388_career_the-fact-that-phil-jackson-asked-a-young_1230830.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/047/b-j-armstrong-5388_career_the-fact-that-phil-jackson-asked-a-young_1230830.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/047/b-j-armstrong-5388_career_the-fact-that-phil-jackson-asked-a-young_1230830.png)

> “The fact that Phil Jackson asked a young kid when he didn't have to and said, 'Hey, do I have permission to coach you?' Those are very powerful lessons that you learn. That's only happened to me a couple times in my entire career, that coaches would actually ask me that question. That just lets me know that he saw me for who I was.”

[B. J. Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-j-armstrong/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A coach who asks for permission shows respect and acknowledges the athlete’s agency, fostering trust and empowerment.

**In simple terms:** Respectful coaching builds trust.

Key Takeaway

Seek mutual respect in mentorship.

Themes

leadership respect trust empowerment

Mood

reflective inspirational

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- team building
- personal development
- career mentorship

Key Concepts

coach-athlete relationship psychology of motivation

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you ask for permission without undermining authority?
- What impact does this have on team dynamics?

A Different Perspective

May be impractical in hierarchical cultures where authority is unquestioned.

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