105. Jason Hehir — Leading and Documenting Winning Teams

"No one comes out of college just knowing how to navigate your chosen profession. It takes time. If I did ‘Last Dance’ two years ago it would have been terrible. Learn your trade, sometimes by mistake. There are no shortcuts. Find your voice, no matter what field you're in." - Jason Hehir

• How did Jason go from humble beginnings to interviewing Michael Jordan?
• How does a fear of failure motivate Jason?
• What common traits does he look for when assembling a team?
• Why did Jason take an unexpected storyline when creating the documentary "Andre the Giant"?
• Jason directed “Countdown,” a documentary about the first civilian-only launch into space, in near real-time. How did he get the footage from Space X?
• How did Jason and his team prepare for the possibility of a catastrophic bad day?

Legends, Giants, and the Final Frontier

Just as directors become world-class by delegating editing film, law firm owners must also trust their squad. Step out of the role of “player” and into that of “coach” to win the game and build a legacy. Build a team that has a passion for the project, a fear of failure, and the congeniality to mesh with everyone else.  

“The Last Dance” director and seven-time Emmy winner Jason Hehir didn't become an extraordinary director by taking on the whole project himself. He learned to let go and place his trust in the talented people he hired to suit each unique need — a break from his “do it all yourself” tradition. The result? A docu-series chronicling the Chicago Bulls dynasty that would go on to be the most-watched documentary in ESPN history. Among his many films and series, a few stand out: His “Andre The Giant” documentary, the most-watched film in HBO Sports history, and “Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space” about the first all-civilian space mission chronicled in near-real time.

In this episode, Jason discusses the making of “The Last Dance,” responsible storytelling, and cultivating relationships with Michael Jordan and André René Roussimoff, better known as Andre the Giant. He also discusses the unique challenges of filming in space.

Dig Deeper

Research clients and their lives as thoroughly as possible. Cultivate a relationship of trust and genuine connection. Ask the most relevant questions to paint a complete picture that tells a compelling story. The ultimate gift is one of comfort knowing that their claims are understood and will be handled responsibly. This creates ease for clients and icons alike. 

"These icons are sharks — never looking back, always moving forward. You want them to have the pleasure of sitting back and reflecting on what they have done. Take pride in it. And once they are strapped in, they can look back almost wistfully and share their wisdom. Tell their story. " - Jason Hehir

Key takeaways:

• Take the scenic route. On the road to greatness, there are no shortcuts. Learning a trade is often done by mistake. If you stumble, dust yourself off and keep going.  
• Do your homework. In a world where so many look forward to the next great thing, looking back to gain context and clarity will help craft the right narrative.
• Fear failure. Hold up the team to the best of your ability, and do your part. Give it your all and success will be won together.

Links and Resources

• The Game Changing Attorney Podcast
• Michael Mogill Facebook
• Michael Mogill Twitter
• Michael Mogill Instagram
• Michael Mogill LinkedIn
• Crisp Website
• Crisp Facebook
• Crisp Twitter
• Crisp Instagram
• Crisp LinkedIn
• Jason Hehir Twitter
• The Last Dance

Author

Michael Mogill, Crisp, and Jason Hehir