In March 2017, I sat down with Jalen Rose—NBA veteran, Fab Five architect, and “buttoned-up” media powerhouse—on Scoop B Radio. During our session, we explored the roots of his leadership style, which extends far beyond the basketball court. One of the most resonant takeaways was Jalen’s personal code of conduct: the discipline to walk into a room and speak to everybody.
Reflecting on this in December 2025, Jalen’s philosophy remains a masterclass in emotional intelligence. He wasn’t just talking about being polite; he was talking about a “leadership foundation” built on acknowledging the humanity in everyone, from the CEO to the custodial staff.
“Respect the O.G.s and the Underdogs”
Jalen’s upbringing in Detroit and his time as a “transcendent” figure at the University of Michigan taught him that power isn’t just about what you do on the scoreboard—it’s about how you navigate the room.
“I thank God that I can say this with all humility: you have to leave your ego at the door,” Jalen told me. “When you walk into a room, you speak to everybody. You acknowledge the people who are there. That’s how you build a bond. That’s how the Fab Five stayed tight—we were five guys willing to bond as brothers and respect the totality of the situation.”
In 2025, this mindset has fueled the success of the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA). Jalen uses his platform to teach students that social skills, etiquette, and “the big-boy way” of looking someone in the eye are just as important as a college degree.
The “Big-Boy Way” to Handle Conflict
This “speak to everybody” rule also applies to how Jalen handles beef. During our 2017 talk, he alluded to the communication gaps that sometimes separated the Fab Five (particularly with Chris Webber). His solution was always the same: direct, face-to-face dialogue.
“Anything that we need to say needs to be face-to-face, eyeball-to-eyeball, without any distractions, without any hype, without any camera. That’s the big-boy way to do that.”
| The Jalen Rose “Room” Rules | Purpose |
| Acknowledge Everyone | Eliminates perceived hierarchies and builds rapport. |
| Eye Contact | Establishes honesty and “irrational confidence.” |
| Ego at the Door | Prioritizes the mission (or the family) over the individual. |
| Face-to-Face | Resolves “communication separations” without external noise. |
2025 Retrospective: The Alum, The Donor, The Leader
Today, Jalen Rose is one of the most respected voices in sports and education. His 2017 session on Scoop B Radio was a reminder that while the “banners” at Michigan may be down, the character of the men who played under them is what truly matters. Jalen continues to be a donor and an active force in Ann Arbor, proving that “speaking to everyone” creates bridges that can’t be burned.
As Jalen said to me:
“Character and hard work get you in the door; the talent just keeps you there.”
In the landscape of 2025, Jalen Rose stands as a reminder that the most “buttoned-up” thing you can do is never be too big to say “hello” to the person at the back of the room.
