![[Pasted image 20250104135724.png]] ### The Book in 3 Sentences or Less An in depth look at Nick Saban's leadership techniques applied to business. ### Who should read it? Anyone interested in being a better leader or that enjoys sports. ### How the booked changed my thoughts? Incredible book on leadership and what it takes to perform at the highest level everyday. ### My top quotes - The opponent doesn't matter, the standard is perfection. - When you wake up each morning, you either get better or you get worse. - You're not entitled to the outcome. You're entitled to the opportunity. - Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people. ### Notes - Every business should have a north star KPI or leading indicator of success, for Alabama football that was recruiting. Everything revolved around recruiting. "If a recruit walked into dirty bathrooms it would make the program look bad. It required everyone to make the place show-ready 100 percent of the time". - There are 3 major components to this approach: (these are all true for investing and company building) 1. Have parameters for where you want to take out the guesswork 2. Information is king. 3. Don't be afraid to adjust your opinion. - The details matter. Saban once learned that a recruit liked enjoying cereal for dinner via a tweet. He then called that player during dinner one night and asked if he'd just finished his Lucky Charms. - Confidence is key. Saban never told a recruit he needed them. He always led with, "I'd love to have you. But, we'll win without you." - You're not entitled to the outcome. You're entitled to the opportunity to get the outcome. - Saban mastered killing what is called the "kill sheet" in sales. Other schools started telling recruits that they wouldn't get playing time at Alabama. And his response was: 1. They're telling you that you're not good enough 2. When they say you'll play at their school, they're saying Alabama is better 3. Daily competition makes you better - Saban looked to his players for leadership and the pulse of the team. He formed a leadership council and met with them regularly to learn what was resonating with the team and what wasn't. (Never be afraid of feedback.) - Our goal is to be better today than we were yesterday. There are only two options available every time you wake up: either get better, or get worse. - Being a champion is about focusing on what it takes to get there, and not on simply getting there. - The opponent doesn't matter, the standard is perfection. Whoever you face is totally inconsequential to what you are trying to accomplish. - Your actions should speak so loudly that people can't hear what you're saying. - Never be afraid to improve. Saban is very rigid about the process, but willing to change strategy and other aspects. That included when he was at the top when it's hardest to change because things are going well. - The most effective leaders possess four components: 1. They know things 2. They know how to do things 3. Above-average EQ 4. Personal courage - It's better to accept the uncomfortableness of tough conversations before the big event than to have to console people after a defeat. - So true in investing. It's better to have the tough conversations before selling at a loss, bankruptcy, firing, etc.