We are sure that most of you are aware of the tragic passing of the legendary Kobe Bryant, a person who transcended the world of basketball to become a cultural icon and hero to many. As a Los Angeles based organization, the loss hit many of our team members hard, especially because of what the “Mamba Mentality” means to us. So, we would like to take some time to explore how the values that Kobe lived by helped shape our values and what we believe in at human-I-T.
One of the first things that come up when people talk about Kobe is his relentless pursuit of excellence. Meticulously going over every detail of the game, an opponent, and himself. He was never satisfied with “good enough,” and he understood that being the best requires a lot more than just trying hard. Bryant’s emphasis on the need for continuous self-improvement was infectious. Relentlessly observing and questioning what made people great across various industries, and applying all that he learned to every aspect of his life. From writing books to creating and investing, he wanted to understand the best, then be the best.
But to achieve greatness, you need to improve continuously. You need to understand your weak points and master your strengths. Improvement requires being honest with yourself and your process because it takes a lot of courage to strip yourself bare.
It is important to remember that it is not just about pushing yourself but pushing others around you to raise them and mentor them. Many people hold the secrets to their success gripped in an iron claw, not wanting to see others surpass them. But Kobe was the opposite, actively trying to nurture the next generation, always wanting to see great people do great things. Like us, he had a dream to see the world be a better place.
This type of thinking takes a lot of audacity, one of Kobe’s traits that we admire and relate to the most. To always want the ridiculous, to always shoot for the seemingly unattainable. He would always push the envelope and would admire when others would too.
The appeal of his drive and spirit was so universal. It applies to everything. That is why you see people all over the world mourning, even those who had nothing to do with basketball. It wasn’t about what he achieved but how he got there, and how he led the way. While he won’t be here with us anymore, that passion will still be with us, and it is up to us to keep the Mamba Mentality going in everything we do and have those audacious dreams. Thank you for that lesson, Kobe.
