Kobe Bryant's Leadership and Inspiration Live on
The world lost a hero yesterday—Kobe Bryant—whose leadership on the basketball court and later as a venture capitalist and philanthropist continued to inspire many—at a time when inspirational leadership is most needed. He was not a perfect hero--as with everyone, there were flaws--but he was a legend to many and leaves behind a strong legacy.
Some inspiring words of wisdom from Kobe Bryant:
On inspiring the next generation: “Playing basketball, the focus is always on winning and winning championships. Championships come and go, but if you really want to create something that lasts generations, you have to help inspire the next generation. That’s when you create something everlasting.”
On Leadership: “To lead others, you have to constantly learn. I wouldn’t say my leadership style changed over the years. I like challenging people and making them uncomfortable. That’s what leads to introspection and that’s what leads to improvement. You could say I dare people to be their best selves.
That approach has never wavered – from basketball to business. What I did adjust, though, was how I varied my approach from player to player, business to business. I still challenge everyone and make them uncomfortable; I just do it in a way that is tailored to them. To learn what would work and for who, I do homework and watch how they behave. I learn their histories and listen to what their goals are. I learn what makes them feel secure and where their greatest doubts lay. Once I understand them, I can help bring the best out of them by touching the right nerve at the right time."
On Telling the Brand Story: “My passion is helping businesses creatively tell their story and find their brand truth. Storytelling is at the epicenter of everything. It’s how we learn about the past to inform our future. It’s how we best retain information that helps us become better people. It’s how we communicate our position to partners, customers, or fans. I’m always interested in entrepreneurs who share that passion and make it a core tactic in their overall business strategy. I encourage entrepreneurs to think about the product, the common denominator with you as the founder, and how that links to human nature. Then the brand story becomes something bigger than the founder and sets the tone, tenor and direction for people, internally and externally.” [From Kobe Bryant "My Story" on Bryant Stibel website https://www.bryantstibel.com/kobebryant/ ]
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