Nick Saban and the 3 Flexibilities

This is a great clip of Nick Saban discussing how he had to adapt his coaching to pro football. Saban admits, he could no longer remain status quo in playing only the players that adhered to his coaching style and teachings. He knew he needed to change, to broaden his thinking, and become willing to coach “inside-out,” not outside in. Coaching “outside-in” means you are forcing the players to adhere to your methods. Inside out, means adapting your methods to their skill set. Coaches that teach inside out determine the players strengths and weaknesses then plans accordingly, never asking a player to do something that isn’t in his skill set.

Does this mean Saban changed his philosophy of how to win the game? No chance. Does this mean he no longer demanded from the players? No chance. All Saban did was adapt to the players, his core foundation of leadership, the principles of his program never altered. Saban used three types of flexibility that allowed him to adapt to change.

1. Cognitive Flexibility: Leverage the ability to use different thinking strategies and mental frameworks.

Cognitive flexibility indicates nimble, divergent thinking, an interest in developing new approaches, the ability to see and leverage new connections. Saban had to abandon one of his core teaching beliefs, to develop a new approach.

2. Emotional Flexibility: Harness the ability to vary one’s approach to dealing with emotions and those of others.

Leaders with emotional flexibility vary their approach to dealing with their own and others’ emotions. In Saban’s case, the amount of money paid to the new player forced him to be emotionally flexible. He told Art Modell, none of them are worth it, but they can help.

3. Dispositional Flexibility: Practice the ability to remain optimistic and, at the same time, realistic.

Dispositionally flexible leaders see change as an opportunity rather than as a threat or danger. Saban being aware of the need to change gave him the dispositional flexibility needed.

We face an ever changing world. Technology combined with generational shifts, make it harder and harder to stay the same. Don’t confuse changing your philosophy for being adaptable. Work on these three areas and you will become more like Saban.