One of the most iconic moments in sports history came during Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz. With only seconds left on the clock, the Bulls were down by one point. Michael Jordan had possession of the ball, the entire arena was on its feet, and the pressure was overwhelming. Everyone was expecting Jordan to take the game-winning shot. But before that crucial moment, Jordan did something that separated him from every other player on the court.
In that split second, Michael didn’t ask himself, “How can I score?” or “Can I handle this pressure?” Instead, he asked a different question: “What’s my best shot right now?”
This subtle shift in focus—asking the right question—determined his entire decision-making process. By asking “What’s my best shot?” instead of “Should I take the shot?” he opened his mind to a wider range of possibilities. He wasn’t just thinking about scoring; he was thinking strategically about the positioning, the defenders, and the timing. His mental compass shifted from fear and self-doubt to precision and execution.
Jordan assessed his options, remembering that Utah’s top defender, Bryon Russell, was known for over-committing on defense. If Jordan could anticipate Russell’s move, he could create the space needed for an uncontested shot. So, as the crowd roared and time slowed down, Jordan drove right, watched Russell scramble to keep up, and at just the right moment, planted his left foot and stepped back. Russell stumbled, Jordan pulled up, and with a gentle flick of the wrist, sank the shot that secured the Bulls’ victory and earned him his sixth NBA championship.
That split-second question—“What’s my best shot?”—was the catalyst that set everything in motion. It turned a tense, high-stakes situation into a decisive moment of brilliance. Jordan wasn’t thinking about whether he would succeed or fail. He focused solely on the process, not the outcome. He used the question to guide his attention to the right strategy, which ultimately influenced the trajectory of the game and solidified his legacy as the greatest of all time.
The Question as a Compass
Great questions are like a compass—they provide direction and clarity in moments of uncertainty. Think of a compass needle pointing true north. If you’re lost in the wilderness, having a compass is the difference between wandering aimlessly and finding your way. Similarly, the right question shifts your focus from being overwhelmed by emotions to identifying the best course of action.
In Michael Jordan’s case, the question “What’s my best shot?” acted as his internal compass, directing his attention to the exact strategy that would maximize his chances of success. By focusing on how to execute rather than on whether to act, Jordan tuned out distractions, neutralized doubt, and concentrated all his mental energy on making the perfect play.
This same principle applies far beyond the basketball court. Whether it’s in business, personal growth, or leadership, the questions we ask shape our focus, influence our decisions, and ultimately determine our success. When faced with a challenge, instead of asking, “What if I fail?” or “Why me?” try shifting to questions like, “What’s the best move I can make right now?” or “What resources can I leverage to turn this around?”
The Game-Winning Shot in Business and Life
Let’s take another example from the world of business. Consider Steve Jobs when he returned to Apple in 1997. The company was on the brink of bankruptcy, and everyone was asking: “How can we survive?” But Jobs didn’t focus on survival. He asked a different question: “What’s our best shot at being great?”
This question reoriented Apple’s strategy. Instead of spreading resources thin across multiple failing product lines, Jobs chose to eliminate all but a few products. He focused on building something innovative and transformative: the iMac. The answer to “What’s our best shot at being great?” was to concentrate on creating products that were simple, elegant, and user-friendly—products that people would love.
By asking the right question, Jobs wasn’t just trying to save the company. He was aiming for excellence, and that became the foundation for Apple’s future success. The iMac marked the beginning of Apple’s turnaround, which ultimately led to groundbreaking innovations like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
Great Questions Transform Outcomes
When the pressure is on, and everything is at stake, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of doubts and fears. But asking the right question cuts through the noise and directs your focus toward what truly matters. Just as Michael Jordan’s “What’s my best shot?” shaped his decision in that iconic moment, your questions can guide you to clarity and success.
So, the next time you’re faced with a difficult decision, pause and ask yourself: “What’s my best shot in this situation?” Let that question be your compass, directing your focus and influencing the trajectory of your actions. Because every game-winning moment, whether in sports, business, or life, begins with the right question.
Bob Fagan has just published “The Little Book of Questions That Matter — A Lifetime Companion For Transforming Your Life.” It is available on Amazon.
