- Bryant said he wanted to learn how Williams, who composed the scores for films like "Star Wars," "Jaws," and "Jurassic Park," kept so many moving pieces together.
- Bryant said he used some leadership advice from Williams and the next two seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers won back-to-back championships.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .
ADVERTISEMENT
Kobe Bryant says he talked to legendary 'Star Wars' composer John Williams to improve his leadership skills
Kobe Bryant said he spoke to legendary composer John Williams for advice on leadership.
kobe bryant john williams
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
Kobe Bryant is known for cold-calling celebrities and leaders in other industries to pick their brains and pick up lessons he could apply to basketball.
For example, Bryant has cold-called Chris Sacca at odd hours to learn about finance, talked to Giorgio Armani to learn about retirement, and studied cheetahs to learn about the way they move and hunt.
Speaking with HoopsHype's Alex Kennedy in June, Bryant revealed that in 2008, he called legendary composer John Williams to learn about leadership.
ADVERTISEMENT
john williams composer
John Raoux/AP
"If you think about it, [conducting an orchestra is] such a difficult thing to do there are so many instruments and all these different sections, from the woodwinds to the percussion to the horns and all sorts of stuff.," Bryant said. "And he has to lead all of those sections, all of those people, to create one harmonious sound. So, how do you do that? I sat down with him for a bit and picked his brain about it because I felt like there were a lot of similarities between what he does and what I have to do on the basketball court."
Bryant said Williams explained to him how he learned it's better to ask people questions than to tell them what to do if something is wrong.
"One thing he said was, 'Kobe, if I hear something is off, I can just interject and give them the answer. But I've found it's better to ask them questions [about fixing what's off] because most of the time, the answer I'll get back will be a better answer than the one I had.'
Kobe Bryant
Robert Hanashiro/USA Today Sports
ADVERTISEMENT
The Lakers won back-to-back championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10.
Bryant became legendary for his competitiveness and work ethic during his career. His dedication to basketball, particularly his early morning training sessions, seemed to inspire a generation of NBA players, particularly those who witnessed him up close on Team USA.
However, it was Bryant's creativity and willingness to think beyond the box that made him one of the NBA's all-time greatest players.
- Read more:
- NBA POWER RANKINGS: Where all 30 teams stand after a wild summer that shook up the league
- We have to love more. Hate less': Megan Rapinoe delivered a powerful speech at the USWNT parade
- Serena Williams shared the text she sent Naomi Osaka apologizing after their controversial US Open final
NOW WATCH: Brazil spent an estimated $300 million on a World Cup stadium that now sits nearly abandoned
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also:
- Kawhi Leonard reportedly impressed NBA superstars with his free agency recruiting and ultimately planted the seeds for the Clippers big summer
- NBA fans were baffled when they woke to the news that Kawhi Leonard signed with the Clippers
- The Clippers reportedly decided to make the biggest trade for a superstar in NBA history because they feared the Lakers forming a Big 3 with Kawhi Leonard
FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA
ADVERTISEMENT
Recommended articles
How SafeHamsters unlocks the potential of crypto betting| Insider Tips
A look into the diverse tax reforms being implemented across Africa
Dubai firm to lend South Sudan $12.9 billion in exchange for 20 years oil repayment
China dethrones USA as the most influential global power in Africa: Report
Major African economies expecting inflation ease into next year, except Nigeria
10 African countries with the lowest price changes in household commodities
Dangote refinery outranks Europe's 10 largest refining facilities
Africa may just have the lowest level of cyber threats compared to other regions
