'Are You About Winning?'

Jerome Tang's Kansas State Wildcats were knocked out of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on Saturday — but the coach provided some critical lessons to all leaders throughout a memorable season in Manhattan.

In one message in particular, Tang insisted he did not want to hear his players talk about winning, instead urging them to display their commitment through their actions.

It's an essential reminder for us as leaders — and what makes the video all the more impactful is that Tang also issues a warning to himself, conveying that the commitment and discipline that go into achievement run two ways.

Success didn't just depend on the Wildcat players this year. Tang made it abundantly clear that it also fell on himself.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is a tremendous role model for any young athlete. Countless aspiring athletes have reminders of Bryant hanging in their room or on the sneakers they wear.

But do their actions match Kobe's?

When interviewing a potential candidate for a position on your team, ask them who they admire, then ask what three things they do similar to that person.

Next, make them tell you in specific detail what and when to adhere to these principles. If the candidates boast they have the Mamba Mentality, for example, ask what Kobe's 10 rules are and make them explain how those habits are incorporated into their life.

1. Get better every single day2. Prove them wrong3. Work on your weaknesses4. Execute what you practiced5. Learn from greatness6. Learn from wins and losses7. Practice mindfulness8. Be ambitious9. Believe in your team10. Learn storytelling

If they don't know these 10 rules or give examples to their actions, kindly ask them to take Kobe's picture down out of respect to him.

Then, remind them what Tang says in the video: "You are committed toward winning."