Kobe

"All I'm trying to do is out work my potential" 

This quote sums up Kobe Bryant perfectly. Some people are born naturally talented and things come to them with seemingly effortless ease. Now Kobe had talent but he is the perfect example of working so hard that he used every ounce of that talent to further his greatness.

When I think of some of the best minds and best tools in Tech I always think of things that have outstripped their potential. Apple become a cultural fashion statement in the 80's and then their iPhone changed the planet and how society works. Sure the tech was revolutionary but I don't think anyone had the idea that it would change society. If you look at streaming services now with Disney and Apple joining the battle in recent years, you wouldn't have foreseen the disruption to traditional TV had it not been for smart phones.

When Facebook was created did anyone foresee this was going to be one of the primary ways people socialized? You can say for good or bad, but what you can't say that it's had no impact on society. Things can be used for good or bad, that's what tools are. Created for people and to be used by people. Did we think that Facebook Ads would lead to changes in who wins Elections??

The outpouring of grief for Kobe has shocked many because all he did was play a game to the best of his ability. But is it that simple? When has athletics and sports just been a game? They connect humans in a way that is simply inexplicable. From all away around the world people are let in to watch these masters of their craft actually grow in front of their eyes and they feel through their greatness we see what the human condition can achieve. And that's what Kobe did. He showed with unrivalled work ethic how far you can push the body as long as your discipline and mind were ready.

He wasn't a perfect human but nobody truly is. He was a father, a son, a husband, a brother and a hero. But more importantly, he was a symbol of how you can outwork your potential and that is a lesson for all.