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More than a Motto: The “Mamba Mentality”

June 10, 2020

It was regarded as one of the saddest moments in sports history – as five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant, his young daughter and seven others lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash. Sports lost a living legend. But his legacy lives on.

Nicknamed the “Black Mamba,” Bryant was a fierce competitor known for his relentless play and unrivaled focus. That “mamba mentality,” allowed him to transcend the sporting world and touch the lives of so many. For that very reason, Cedric Clark, vice president and regional general manager, challenges his more than 85 clubs in the states of Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas to exhibit those characteristics every day. So, we caught up with Cedric and some of his team to learn more on the ways of the mamba.

Explain this concept of “mamba mentality” in your own words.

Cedric Clark, VP/RGM – South Central: The “mamba mentality” means to focus on the process and trust in the hard work when it matters most. Hard work always outweighs talent. It’s all about doing more than the competition and trusting in the work you’ve put in when it’s time to perform. That’s why it translates so well to the retail environment we are in today.

Kobe was known for his uncanny work ethic and determination. Explain what it means for these same skills to translate into running a great club.

Joe Tovi, Market Manager – Dallas, Texas: To be great, you can’t let the bumps in the road stop you from reaching your goals. You must be resilient enough to get back up and work even harder when you fall down. Each club faces new challenges every day – it’s how you respond to these challenges.

How has the team responded to Cedric’s challenge?

Chuck Miller, Market Manager – Houston, Texas: We’ve embraced the challenge by focusing on consistency and quality processes to drive results. Much like Joe said, we must be better today than we were yesterday. And this is only possible with all associates pursuing the same goal and living the values of our company.

Have you seen a change in the way clubs and markets work together in the South Central?

Chekelah Betts, Club Manager – Grapevine, Texas: We’re sharing information more than ever. Whether it’s ideas to keep our associates and members safe, best practices for execution or merchandising decisions to ensure our members have a special experience, we’re working together as one team.

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