Coach?
This morning, two of football’s most-winningest coaches resigned.
(One had no choice.)
Neither Nick Saban (Alabama Crimson Tide) nor Bill Belichick (New England Patriots) are perfect men. Or even perfect coaches.
But it’s hard to argue that they’re not Leaders in their own right. And that’s what I want for you.
Whether you lead 5 people, 50, or 500. Whether you’re on the Board of a company. Or even if you’re an individual contributor who one day aspires to lead people.
It ain’t easy.
Leading people is the hardest part of business (Or as my first mentor used to remind me “business would be so easy if it weren’t for the people.”)
Of course, Saban & Belichick had their fair share of luck. What would be Belichick’s record had Tom Brady not coming along, for example?
But the records don’t lie.
Belichick
Saban
Winning records aren’t the only thing they share.
Here's some food for thought … because to win consistently, you'll need to do the same with your team:
Adaptability: In a field where strategies and player dynamics constantly evolve, both coaches have shown remarkable adaptability. Belichick, for example, has successfully navigated numerous changes in team rosters and opposition tactics.
Saban, too, transitioned from a traditional defensive focus to embracing powerful offensive play.
Attention to detail: Their success can be partly attributed to an almost obsessive attention to detail. Belichick is known for his thorough game preparations and ability to exploit the minutest weaknesses in opponents.
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Saban, similarly, emphasized meticulous preparation and precision, ensuring his team is well-prepared for every eventuality.
Holding players accountable: Both coaches fostered a culture of discipline & accountability. Belichick's management style ensured that every team member, regardless of their status, was held to the same high standards.
Saban's approach at Alabama was similar, focusing on discipline both on and off the field, which was crucial to maintaining high performance levels.
Coaching trees: Both mentored numerous assistants who have gone on to become successful coaches themselves. This speaks to their ability not just to lead teams but to develop future leaders.
But you know me...This recap wouldn’t be complete without recognizing their ability to Recruit great players.
Even a B-coach who recruits A-players can win consistently.
Saban's success in recruiting top high school talent is well-known, and he excelled at developing these players for top-level college football. Belichick, on the other hand, had a knack for identifying & nurturing talent, often turning lesser-known players into key contributors.
Would Brady have been "Brady" without Belichick’s leadership?
We’ll never know.
But I know this:
As leader, your #1 job is to coach your team to victory on & off the field. And the easiest way to do that is to start with the raw material.
By recruiting the best-possible players. Putting a Rockstar in every seat.
Never settle.
And -when you make a hiring mistake- fix it. Make a substitution. And move on.
If your team is stuck at the bottom of the division, my team can help. We obsess over finding the right person for each position.
Best of all, we do it quickly.
Because -just like football- life has a game clock. And I don’t want you watching the precious seconds tick down on yours.