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Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Fast Five: Management Ideas of Nick Saban

The Leadership Case Studies group publishes little books distilling leadership from successful people. For Sabanophiles I recommend Monte Burke's Saban which is an in-depth profile (warts and all) of Coach Saban and his entourage. A big part of Saban's philosophy is getting everyone on the same page. 

Here are a few examples worth remembering:

1) Coach Saban developed his ethos washing cars for his father's service station. If he did an unsatisfactory job, his father made him rewash the entire car. The experience taught him to do the job right the first time.

2) The broad outline of Management Ideas divides Saban's approach into MINDSET, PROCESS, and PERFORMANCE.

3) MINDSET demands total focus on doing what is necessary to be successful.

4) PROCESS, specifically what Saban calls "The Process" reflects the teaching and incorporation of doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way.

5) PERFORMANCE specifies concentration and execution of the NEXT PLAY (so common throughout coaching). Great players and businesses execute IN THE MOMENT.

In 1998, a 4-4 MSU went into top-ranked OSU at Columbus a twenty-eight point underdog. So often the kicking game betrayed Saban...not that day. 


Bonus: A few Saban quotes:

"Life is hard."

No one can respect you if you don’t have knowledge about what you’re supposed to do.

“Champions are rare. Everybody has some chance, some opportunity to change and improve, but not everybody takes advantage. Be somebody who does.” 

“Win” to me means What Is Important Now.

The process is clearly defined but where do you fail? The discipline to execute.