Expect Challenges, Not Perfection

I recently had the opportunity to listen to Nick Saban, arguably the greatest college football coach in history, speak at a leadership conference. As expected, his insights on leadership, accountability, and success were nothing short of inspiring. But one particular lesson stuck with me—one that every leader, especially in law enforcement and public service, should take to heart.

Saban shared how when new coaches join his staff at Alabama, they often expect things to run smoothly all the time. They see the state-of-the-art facilities, the elite athletes, and the winning culture, and they assume that success will come easily. But Saban quickly shuts down that mindset. One of the first things he tells them is: ?

"Stop expecting things to be great every day."

He reminds them that, despite having the best resources, problems will arise. Challenges will come. Nothing worth achieving happens without struggle. Every single day that you strive for greatness will be tough. Success is not about avoiding obstacles—it's about pushing through them. ?

The Leadership Lesson: Embrace the Struggle

This lesson is incredibly relevant to leadership in any field, but it resonates deeply in law enforcement. Many officers step into leadership roles thinking that rank, resources, or experience will make things easier. They assume that because they now have authority, better tools, or more training, everything will just fall into place. But just like Saban tells his coaches, we need to remind ourselves and our teams: challenges are inevitable—our response to them defines our leadership. ?

The Reality of Leadership

Leadership is not about maintaining the status quo when things are running smoothly; it's about steering the ship when storms hit. Problems will come up—short staffing, budget constraints, community tensions, officer morale issues. The reality is, if you're leading at a high level, you should expect difficulties daily. ?

Instead of being frustrated when things don't go as planned, embrace the challenge. Adapt. Find solutions. Build resilience in yourself and your team. The best leaders understand that setbacks are part of the journey and that hard work—not just talent or resources—drives success. ?

How to Apply This Mindset in Leadership

1. ?Stop Expecting an Easy Path?

? ?- Great leaders don't wish for fewer problems; they prepare to handle them. Expect resistance, setbacks, and adversity. When they come, you won't be caught off guard. ?

2. Focus on the Process, Not Just the Outcome ?

? ?- Saban constantly preaches "The Process"—the idea that if you do the right things every day, success will follow. Don't chase quick fixes or expect immediate results. Invest in the fundamentals, and improvement will come over time. ?

3. Teach Your Team to Be Resilient ?

? ?- Your officers, employees, or players need to understand that hardship is part of the job. Don't let them fall into a victim mindset. Teach them to face problems head-on with a solutions-oriented approach. ?

4. Control What You Can Control?

? ?- You can't control every external factor—budget decisions, public perception, or unforeseen crises. But you can control your effort, attitude, and response. Focus on those, and your leadership will strengthen. ?

5. Don't Be Frustrated—Be Committed ?

? ?- Problems aren't a sign that something is wrong—they're a sign that you're in a leadership role that matters. If your job was easy, it wouldn't be worth doing. Stay committed to improvement, even when it's hard. ?

Final Thought: The Price of Greatness

Saban's words serve as a powerful reminder: Excellence isn't given—it's earned. Even with the best resources, the best teams, and the best facilities, Alabama doesn't win championships by accident, they win because they put in the work every single day, despite the challenges. The same applies to leadership in any profession. Success isn't about having everything in place; it's about showing up every day, putting in the effort, and handling adversity without losing focus. ?

So, the next time you face a leadership challenge, don't be frustrated—be prepared. Greatness isn't about avoiding obstacles. It's about overcoming them. ?

Are You Ready to Lead Through Adversity?

Let me know your thoughts—how do you handle setbacks in leadership? How do you keep your team focused when things aren't going smoothly?

- Dean