Using Mamba mentality on the job hunt

By Andrew Gula |

Andrew Gula shows how communicators can succeed on the job hunt using the late Kobe Bryant as a model.

“Mamba mentality is all about focusing on the process and trusting in the hard work when it matters most. It’s the ultimate mantra for the competitive spirit… Hard work outweighs talent— every time. Without studying, preparation and practice, you’re leaving the outcome to fate. I don’t do fate.”

• Kobe Bryant

When Kobe Bryant tragically passed away on January 26 in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles, the world was left in mourning. We had the thoughtful memorial, countless tributes as well as reflections on a powerful legacy. More than just a basketball player, Bryant developed a singular mindset to overcoming life’s obstacles: the Mamba mentality.

One such obstacle is finding a job. Everyone knows the cliché — job hunting is like a full-time job. Speaking from my ongoing personal experience, you’re flooded with a rollercoaster of emotions (especially if you’re just starting out). You apply and apply until it seems like you’ll never get what you’re looking for. This can take its toll.

Many articles will give you the conventional wisdom — use your network, tailor your resume, dress appropriately and so on. Few focus on the psychological aspect of the process. Here’s how you can apply the Mamba mentality in your professional life to give you an edge over your competition and land that elusive job.

Persistence, persistence, persistence

When things aren’t going your way, it is human nature to get frustrated and expect the worst. Coming into the NBA straight out of high school, Bryant was an unfinished product playing in one of the largest sports markets (with a notoriously fickle level of patience). There were a lot of early expectations but it took time for him to develop and become the transcendent player he eventually became.

As sportswriter Zach Lowe notes, Bryant would practice every skill within a skill, every trick of footwork, every post-up move, and watched enough film to know how to deploy them in specific situations against specific opponents.

After the end of his playing career, he wanted to learn the art of storytelling, so he cold-called writers like J.K. Rowling, business leaders, actors, musicians and directors. He hounded them, trying to understand what made them tick and bring that into his own work.

Without this persistence, this motivation to change his situation, Bryant could have easily floundered and succumbed to outside pressure.

So how does this apply to someone hunting for a job?

When you’re looking for an opportunity and landing interviews, you’ll be exposed to different types of people and situations. To progress and reach your goals, you need to be like a sponge, absorbing information and refining your approach. Follow Kobe Bryant’s lead. Insatiably ask questions, build relationships with established professionals and actively listen to what they have to say. This will get you closer to where you want to be.

Developing a strong internal voice

A key ingredient to the Mamba mentality, outside of pure persistence, is developing a strong internal compass to guide you.

What is this exactly? In the sports world, it is called a killer instinct; the innate confidence to accept failure but to keep going in pursuit of excellence.

When Bryant had a terrible experience of not scoring a point, his father saw him crying and hugged him, telling him that he would love him whether he scored 60 or zero points. This gave him the confidence and security to fail but still strive for greatness.

As psychologist Stephen Sideroff notes, our brains — just like our behaviours — are wired to fall into patterns and ruts. More often than not we keep repeating bad habits and stay stuck. It’s only when we address it that we wake up the brain and create new nerve pathways.

During your job search, you will come across hurdles. There will be a lot of false leads, many people who will say “no.” The trick is to build yourself up internally to a high level, addressing how you talk and treat yourself. Create a positive internal voice, like what a healthy parent sounds like: loving, caring, supportive, accepting and compassionate.

Once you can do this, the confidence will permeate throughout, improving things like your body language. In the end, employers will notice and it will help you land that job.