Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
The LA Lakers closed out their series with the Houston Rockets four games to one. I didn’t watch it but what LeBron James, one of the greatest players of all time (if you are not a basketball fan), said got my attention and I wanted to share it:
"Mentally, I come with the same desperation as the opponent," James said. "I understand that in a closeout game, the team that’s down is going to play very desperate and they’re going to play to their best ability, and if you allow that to happen throughout the course of a 48-minute game, they will extend the series.
Not saying I’m always successful in closing out the series, but that’s my mindset. My mindset is to be just as desperate as my opponent when I approach the game when I’m out there on the floor and then live with the results."
Consider these words next time you go for an interview. You are competing against other qualified candidates. Interviewing is generally a multi-step process, similar to games played in a series. I guarantee that there is another candidate out there that is putting in the time, preparing, and just wants their shot to win the position. Imagine if you interviewed with this in mind. If you are a seasoned professional, consider the mentality that you had when you started out building your career. Can you recapture this level of intensity? Some of the most talented and successful candidates that I have worked with take this approach.
I debated about writing this article and citing Mr. James’s use of the word “desperate” because no one would advise you to come across as desperate in a job interview. What I believe he is saying is that, internally, match the desperation of the competition to win. Bring that level of energy, not the negative attributes of desperation. I think he bookends his point nicely by implying that all you can do is do your best and that it prepares you to “live with the results”.
Not bad advice from one of the best at what he does.
Good luck next time you are trying to get the win!
Written by: Austin Meyermann, Founder and President of Hunter Crown, LLC
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