Mamba Mondays | Ask Questions

Author Daniel Coyle the author of The Culture Code, one of the best coaching books I have ever read, says, “The world we live in is a learning contest. The world we live in is not an execution contest, and it’s not a confident contest. The world we live in is a learning contest. What helps you with learning? Continually ask, who else can help us, what else is coming around the corner, and how can we get a little bit better today.”

Kobe Bryant was known for being very curious and he tried to learn from everybody. In the middle of a game, he asked Michael Jordan how he shot his fadeaway. Before an all-star game, he asked defensive legend Gary Payton how to play better defense. In the off-season, he asked post player Hakeem Olajuwon to help him with his footwork in the post.

If you could help him get better. Kobe would work with you, and he wasn’t afraid or embarrassed to ask for help.

In his book, The Mamba Mentality, Kobe wrote:

“I asked a ton of questions. I was curious. I wanted to improve, learn, and fill my head with the history of the game. No matter who I was with—a coach, hall of famer, teammate—and no matter the situation—game, practice, vacation—I would fire away with question after question.

A lot of people appreciated my curiosity and passion. They appreciated that I wasn’t just asking to ask, I was genuinely thirsty to hear their answers and glean new info. Some people, meanwhile, were less understanding and gracious. That was fine with me. My approach always was that I’d rather risk embarrassment now than be embarrassed later, when I’ve won zero titles.”

The best of the best want to learn. They are curious. They see life as a learning contest.

THIS WEEK

1 - Who is something that you want to learn from, and what is something you want to learn from them?