Applying the Mamba Mentality to your Business
As some of you may know, I am a long-time fan of professional basketball. I love the beauty of the game. From the strategy and plays to the teamwork and collaboration needed to win.
Therefore, this past week was a very sad week for the basketball family that I have grown up to know and love. One of its greatest - Kobe B. Bryant was taken from us way too soon, along with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, in a tragic helicopter crash in California on Sunday, January 26th. My condolences to his family and all those that were on that helicopter with him.
And when I think about Kobe and his basketball greatness, there’s so much I can remember:
How he was one of the first teenagers at 17 years of age to go straight into the NBA without attending college.
How he played with such drive, vigor, and fight.
How unapologetic he was for not only playing hard, but for working hard and being who he was - he didn’t care what others thought about him.
He was often criticized for not having many friends on his team and for JUST focusing on work. He grew along the way, however, and learned that teamwork and getting others involved would make things much easier on him. This growth mindset was also what made Kobe so successful. There were times when even I would “hate” Kobe since he was always SO driven. So when he went up against my favorite team, the San Antonio Spurs during their Western Conference showdowns, that inner competitiveness within myself would come through.
At the end of the competition, you couldn’t help but RESPECT his talents and focused spirit. He fought for the win, but was also graceful in defeat. It’s this quiet confidence that led me to believe that he knew he’d be back. He knew he would rise again.
He has meant so much for so many and impacted so many people around him, especially those he spent time with in the NBA. So it’s not surprising that people are feeling such an overwhelming grief, sadness, and shock.
What makes my heart break the most about Kobe’s passing, is that he had his whole second act to fulfill and he was just getting started. To quote former president Obama’s tweet,
“Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act.”
And “meaningful” was what he was doing, most especially with his Community Service.
Kobe always considered himself a constant life-learner. He was often referred to as the “Black Mamba” and instilled the “Mamba Mentality” on and off the basketball court. This attitude is what I LOVED and admired most about Kobe.
So to honor him, I want to talk more about his approach and how his perseverance, dedication, and passion were an inspiration for the game of life.
And now that so many small business owners and entrepreneurs are living our so-called, “second act” (which may or may not be by choice), I decided to use my grief of losing such an icon by talking about how we can follow the example Kobe set.
So I ask you: How great can we be if we also take on the “Mamba Mentality” and put that mindset into our businesses as well?
Not familiar with the Mamba Mentality? Here it is in a nutshell:
Working hard to fulfill one’s dreams
Striving to always get better, not only to succeed, but to excel.
Continuing to push the envelope and go beyond the FEAR
FULFILL YOUR DREAMS WITH HARD WORK
Business success takes work. Small business owners and entrepreneurs need to know that without putting in the work, there is no return.
How can you be expected to perform well, if you don’t take the time to learn, study, and be on the so called “court” at 4 am shooting baskets? And even after games, when he’d miss game winning shots.
Pure talent or skill can only take you so far. You want to make a plan, then implement and execute it to succeed.
Kobe said, “Without studying, preparation and practice, you’re leaving the outcome to fate. I don’t do fate.”
ALWAYS STRIVE TO GET BETTER IN ORDER TO EXCEL
It's a constant quest to try to get better everyday. Kobe did that, first and foremost, by being curious and surrounding himself with people from which he could learn. One of the interviews that made the news after his death was Jerry West, the legendary basketball player who is very much involved in the sport still from a General Manager perspective. He was talking about how Kobe was curious about something so he received a phone call from Kobe asking more about it. Knowing that Kobe’s inquiries were always intentional, Jerry told Kobe, ‘I don’t have all the details or information about that, but let me get you in contact with who does.’
As business owners and entrepreneurs we do not know everything, as much as some of us may act like we do. There should always be a thirst and desire to learn more, to analyze what’s working for others, to look at things from many perspectives and to ask questions.
Kobe always took this approach.. He studied his competition, analyzed the strategic aspects of the game of basketball, and he figured out ways, not just to succeed but to truly excel, through constant dedication and curiosity. He was applying this same approach to establish his Mamba Sports Academy and media companies.
PUSH THE ENVELOPE AND GO BEYOND THE FEAR
The biggest thing I always saw from Kobe was his unapologetic fearlessness. He was always willing to take the last shot of the game without concern as to whether or not it would make it. Nine times out of 10, it did (of course) but that’s because of his hard work, not fate or talent.
And it was his will to win, that kept him moving forward without fear.
HOW WILL YOU ADOPT A MAMBA MENTALITY?
According to New Orleans Saints linebacker, Damario Davis*
“Mamba mentality is more of an approach than anything else. It’s about attacking what’s in front of you with passion and purpose, without fear and doubt and without an ounce of quit. No matter what it is, good/bad; success/failure that’s your approach. That’s what it means to have mamba mentality. That’s what I learned from him.”
I’m willing to bet, the word can’t wasn’t even in Kobe’s vocabulary.
In fact, Kobe said, “To sum up what mamba mentality is, it means to be able to constantly try to be the best version of yourself. It’s having a focus and having a purpose. You wake up every single day to get better today than you were yesterday. Doesn’t matter what you are -- basketball player, hockey player, golf player, painter, writer, doesn’t matter.”
From my perspective, that is who Kobe was: dedicated, driven, and relentless. He knew that hard work was going to help him be successful. Fearlessness, was going to get him over the humps he would encounter and help him secure the WIN. He wanted to leave a legacy of the pursuit of excellence.
So, as a business owners and entrepreneurs, how will you live the mamba mentality each and every day?
Will you:
Put in the extra hours for business development or implementation of a certain plan or project you hadn’t started or completed in awhile?
Reach out to a coach, mentor, or someone who you can learn from to grow and continue to get better at what you are doing with your business?
Face your fear of whatever it is that could be holding you back to excel in your business?
Let me know what comes up for you.
#Mamba out
* SOURCE: Entertainment Tonight Article by Leena Taylor (Jan. 27,2020)