Kobe Bryant Memorials
Lessons from the Black Mamba
by Daniel Taylor
(coach, leader, educator, speaker, and friend)
As Kobe’s life is celebrated today, I’ve been pondering on the lessons I’ve learned from the #blackmamba. Here’s EIGHT from the great 8:
Next Play Mentality: In life and sport, he never let failure hinder him from pursuing greatness. Whether it was making poor choices off the court, missing shots, having conflicts with coaches or teammates, he always looked for ways to make things better. Improvement by any means. Failure was never an option.
Work on Your Character: He made mistakes but learned from them, and exhibited an opportunity to repent and move on to growing as a person. He found mentors, read books, and surrounded himself with great people.
Family First: Be the best husband and father you can be. Took a helicopter to maximize his time with his family. They would travel with him on many road trips. Had numerous conversations with teammates and mentors on how to be a better husband and father.
Honor and Respect Women: He was a huge advocate for women’s sports. Attending sporting events for women and young girls to show his support of their athletic endeavors. From the US Women’s national soccer team, volleyball, WNBA, club sports and even visiting a high school girl in her small town, he demonstrated that women and girls are important. That they should always be appreciated.
Be a Mentor: From NBA players, teammates, coaches, entertainers, business executives and youth, Kobe was intentional in leading people to be the best version of themselves. To pursue excellence in whatever endeavor they are embarking on. He mentored the sports world with his work ethic and killer instinct.
Work At it With All Your Heart: There are countless stories of his early morning workouts. His sleep patterns that allowed him to put in numerous workouts, and his nutritional habits. He was first to the gym and let to leave. Whatever you did, he did more. Workouts became a spiritual experience. An opportunity to build mental toughness and resilience. Even after basketball, he pursued greatness writing books, making animated films and podcasts, and establishing the Mamba Academy. He wanted only the best.
Embrace Diversity: He could speak Italian, Spanish and was learning dialects spoken in China. He visited countries and was an ambassador for the game of basketball. People around the world loved him. The city of LA which is one of the most diverse cities in the world embraced him. He embraces fans of all backgrounds. Loving all people with great passion.
Fear Nothing: And did he. He took on any challenge. Jordan, Iverson, Lebron, Curry, the list could go on. He faced many of the greats of the game. And as we know, was very successful at his craft. He wanted the last shot, played through injury, never gave up when down several points or games in a series. And after hoops, he was pursuing things that many would not think to. He didn’t want to do what everyone else wanted to but be different. Be exceptional.
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24 Those are just a few lessons I’ve learned. Thank you Kobe for being great. Showing me and the world how to be great. You most definitely will be missed.