Earlier today, ESPN College Gameday host and legendary head coach Nick Saban gave a masterclass on what is required to have sustained success. The following is a transcript of his comments:
“The teams that can focus on the journey, not the destination, not worrying about the outcome – the teams that get infected by success thinking what they’ve done in the past to get to this point is going to have anything to do with how they play in the future. Those are things that are important in getting consistency of performance, which at this time of the year in November, is the most important thing for everyone of these teams which have put themselves in a position to have a chance to get into the playoffs.”
Coach Saban adds, “It’s hard. There’s so many external factors. And all the external factors – the internet, your phone, all of that – is focused on the outcome. You have to be focused on what do I have to do to get the outcome.”
7 Lessons from Nick Saban on Being Infected By Success and Consistency of Performance
From his comments, we learn the following 7 Lessons from Nick Saban on Being Infected By Success and Consistency of Performance. First is the lesson followed by Coach Saban’s supporting comments.
1. Focus Is A Choice
Successful leaders and teams can choose what to focus on. Coach Saban opened by saying, “The teams that can focus on the journey, not the destination.”
2. Focus On The Process More Than The Outcome
If you do the right things every day, outcomes take care of themselves. Coach Saban advises to no worry about the outcome, but rather “to be focused on what do I have to do to get the outcome.”
3. Success Can Become An Infection
Coach Saban understands the greatest enemy of future success is past success. This can become such an issue that he considers it an infection. So what does it infect? This leads to the next point.
4. Faulty Thinking Is An Infection
Success can infect your thinking. Coach Saban said, “The teams that get infected by success thinking what they’ve done in the past to get to this point is going to have anything to do with how they play in the future.” The difference between temporary success and sustained success is often how you think.
5. Consistency Of Performance Is The Great Separator
What separates individuals and team performance in high stakes environments is consistency of performance. Coach Saban noted, “Those are things that are important in getting consistency of performance, which at this time of the year in November, is the most important thing for everyone of these teams which have put themselves in a position to have a chance to get into the playoffs.”
6. Consistency Of Performance Is Hard
Regardless of what profession you are in, discipline and competitive stamina for an extended period of time is hard. But it is one of the qualities elite performers possess. Sufficient energy is required and must be properly managed. Coach Saban admitted, “It’s hard.”
But what makes it so hard?
7. External Factors Wage War Against Consistency Of Performance
The challenge to having consistency of performance are the external factors which compete against it. Coach Saban identified some of those challenges saying, “There’s so many external factors. And all the external factors – the internet, your phone, all of that – is focused on the outcome.”
Conclusion
- Focus Is A Choice
- Focus On The Process More Than The Outcome
- Success Can Become An Infection
- Faulty Thinking Is An Infection
- Consistency Of Performance Is The Great Separator
- Consistency Of Performance Is Hard
- External Factors Wage War Against Consistency Of Performance
FREE Helpful Resource
In conjunction with one of my content partners, I created a new checklist to help you identify ways you can improve your leadership:
You can download them by clicking HERE or on the image below.
Now a special request. These is a complimentary resource. Therefore, if you download them, make special note of the ads on the pages you will see. If any interest you, please click the images and learn more about their products. Thank you as this helps cover the cost of production.