How Good Do You Want to Be? A Champion's Tips on How to Lead and Succeed at Work and in Life Author: Visit Amazon's Nick Saban Page | Language: English | ISBN:
0345478010 | Format: PDF
How Good Do You Want to Be? A Champion's Tips on How to Lead and Succeed at Work and in Life Description
From Publishers Weekly
Followers of college football will know Saban best as the coach of the 2004 championship series–winning Louisiana State University Tigers. Here he offers an inspiring book that draws parallels between decisions made in life and those made on the gridiron. Saban's own journey, told with the help of sports journalist Curtis (
The Men of March), began in a West Virginia mining town, where he was able, through his love of sports and the wisdom of his family, to walk a path toward excellence. With three main points (develop a good "product," i.e., yourself; know the competition; work with your team), Saban uses anecdotes and straight talk to bring solid advice that crosses over from sports to other aspects of life, including overcoming obstacles, going the extra mile and being honest with oneself. The lessons are homey in tone and commonsensical: e.g., "Invest your time, don't spend it" and "Climb the mountain, but watch your step." While an understanding of football could make the lessons more profound, the advice offered can be used by people in all professional fields and by those just trying to live a better, more fulfilling life. Photos not seen by
PW.
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About the Author
The winner of numerous National Coach of the Year honors, Nick Saban is the head football coach at Louisiana State University. In 2004, he coached the Tigers to a 13 —1 season and the BCS College Football national championship. He lives in Baton Rouge with his wife and two children.
Brian Curtis is the author of
Every Week a Season: A Journey Inside Big-Time College Football and
The Men of March: A Season Inside the Lives of College Basketball Coaches. A former reporter for Fox Sports Net, he is now a host and analyst on College Sports Television. He and his wife, Tamara, live in New York City. Visit his website at www.briancurtis.us.
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- Hardcover: 240 pages
- Publisher: Ballantine Books; Complete Numbers Starting with 1, 1st Ed edition (December 28, 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0345478010
- ISBN-13: 978-0345478016
- Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.9 x 0.9 inches
- Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
Nick Saban's method for success is broken down into three main points in his book, How Good Do You Want to Be?; these are the development of the product, having the competitive spirit, and the importance of leadership. This guide to success was published by Random House, Inc. in New York in 2005.
In Saban's first point he emphasizes the development of the "product." In most cases the product is the person who wants to be successful, but it also includes sports teams, companies, or projects. To develop the product, a "road map" is needed. A road map is a guide to life. It should define one's goals and guidelines. This is to make sure that one knows his values. The five key values are discipline, commitment, toughness, effort, and pride. The map should also take into account the "three C's." These will foster one's success. The "three C's" are commitment, conviction, and character. Commitment is defined as unwavering loyalty and dedication. If one is dedicated enough, then he will eventually succeed. Conviction is when one really believes in what he is doing. Conviction is the reason for being committed. The third "C," character, is "that crucial blend of personality and values" (Saban 35). Character is who a person really is. A positive attitude is crucial to how one responds to challenges, success, and failure. To be successful, one has to really "develop the product."
Saban's second point is the necessity of the competitive spirit. Saban states the importance of not thinking about the score, saying, "looking at the score and results can only take away from your competitive spirit" (Saban 58). A person only needs to be concerned with what he or she can control. He also highlights the significance of focus.
As a Patriots fan, I was depressed when Nick Saban became the Dolphins' new head coach because Saban is as similar a football coach to Bill Belichick as you will ever find until scientists perfect cloning. In his new book, Saban lays out his philosophy very clearly. His philosophy helps individuals take control of their lives, work well with others, etc. It also helps leaders build more team-oriented organizations. Everyone can benefit from this book, not just football fans:
"focus... on what it takes to get to [become a champion], and not on getting there," "[Players] encouraged one another and kept each other in line," "no selfishness," "we shared a purpose," "the opponent should never determine your level of competitive spirit," "anyone can be successful with the right attitude," "a road map... allows everyone... to know where you are headed," "what you need are players who have good ability, but who can reach their potential consistently... every time out," "be honest and candid and let the players know their prospects," "we have a vision for the organization and, more importantly, for the people," "create... a culture of expectations [so] everyone knows what to expect," etc. I could go on for many pages.
I know Saban's philosophy works because it helped Saban's LSU Tigers (consistent losers before Saban took over) win a share of the 2003 NCAA championship and also helped Belichick's Patriots win two of the past three Super Bowls. It's the same philosophy. I expected great similarities because Saban coordinated the defense of Belichick's Cleveland Browns in the early '90s when the two became closest of friends.
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