Happy Thursday! A warm welcome to the 77 new subscribers who joined 13,700+ others this week.
Here's what's coming:
The Importance of Nothing 🏆
Pele Gold 🥇
Robin Sharma on Leadership 🆇
Read Time ~ 4 minutes.
Let’s dive in…
TOGETHER WITH BRAD’S DEALS
Where to Find the Best Deals on Hoka Shoes
Meaning “to fly” in Maori, Hoka was founded in 2009 so that anyone spending long hours on their feet could get the ultimate experience with optimum cushioning and stability. Less than 15 years after its founding, Hoka is bringing in revenues topping a billion dollars a year, so it’s clear that people are loving this brand. But with quality comes high prices, and Hoka is no doubt in the high end price-wise. Thanks to Brad's Deals, we found the best prices on Hoka.
💭 ONE THOUGHT
The Importance of Nothing
Nick Saban is the GOAT.
He has given so many great messages to coaches, leaders, and athletes.
One of my favorites is his “Nothing” speech.
He doesn’t mince words. In his “Nothing” speech, he lays it out for his players:
Feel entitled? You get nothing.
Think the world owes you? You get nothing.
Lose your discipline or work ethic? You get nothing.
Skip the preparation or the details? You get nothing.
This is vintage Saban and a wake-up call for us all.
The speech isn’t just about avoiding failure. It’s a challenge to redefine how you see success.
For Saban, “nothing” is both a warning and an invitation.
It reminds us that success isn’t handed out - it’s earned through discipline, focus, and relentless preparation.
3 Takeaways from Saban’s "Nothing" Speech
Kill Entitlement
Entitlement erodes effort. Saban’s message is a reminder to stay grounded, work hard, and never expect rewards without effort.How to Implement: Create a “No Handouts” team mantra. Reinforce that success is earned in the weight room, on the field, and in the classroom.
Attention to Detail Wins Championships
Saban consistently preaches preparation and focus. Little things like footwork, film study, and punctuality make the difference between success and failure.How to Implement: Start practice with a 5-minute detail drill. It could be crisp passes, clean transitions, or sharp communication. Celebrate precision.
Make Discipline Non-Negotiable
Discipline isn’t optional in Saban’s world. It’s a habit, a standard, and the foundation of greatness.How to Implement: Challenge your team to adopt a “Discipline Day” where everyone commits to one small, disciplined action: showing up early, writing down goals, or executing a skill perfectly.
What is Saban’s Success Formula?
Saban’s speech can be summed up in this equation:
No discipline + No effort + No focus = Nothing
But the inverse is equally powerful:
Discipline + Relentless Effort + Laser Focus = Everything.
Final Thought
Saban’s “Nothing” speech reminds us that greatness isn’t reserved for the lucky or the entitled - it’s earned by those willing to do the work.
This week, challenge yourself and your team: What’s one area where you can sharpen your discipline or focus?
Remember: NOTHING comes without effort. EVERYTHING is possible with it.
Want to watch the Saban “Nothing” Speech?
Check it out below!
Good Luck!
TOGETHER WITH MOMENTUM
Struggling to Keep Athletes Motivated Year-Round?
Momentum helps high school coaches track, motivate, and recognize athletes like never before. Simplify team management, celebrate player progress, and build a culture of accountability and excellence.
🚀 Try Momentum for free and discover how to bring out the best in your team.
📜 TWO QUOTES
"Do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play."
"The more difficult the victory, the greater the happiness in winning."
🔗 LINKS OF THE WEEK
🎥 Video: Nick Saban lecture on “Nothing” at his press conference.
🎙️ Podcast: Coach Collins and I discuss the 4 Indicators of Commitment in this Basketball Leadership Podcast episode.
🆇 ICYMI: The Man in the Arena
📋 Practice Planner LIVE: I have used this Practice Planning Software for 13 years! Simple, Practical, and Powerful. Click here for a free 14-day trial.
📚 BOOKS, COURSES, BUNDLES, & FREE RESOURCES
Bundles:
The OS Bundle - Save $ when you get the Team Leader OS and Better Coach OS.
Mega Bundle - Get ALL of my paid resources, save BIG $.
Culture WINS Bundle - Get ALL of my Culture resources in place.
Super Bundle - Bundle all four of my books and save $.
Buy Two, Get One Free - My three most popular books.
Culture Wins Book Bundle - Both books for a discount.
ADs: Want site licenses for a school? Reply to this email for more.
Courses, Curriculum, and More:
Team Leader OS - Develop your team leaders year after year.
Better Coach OS - Masterclass course to be a better coach.
Culture Wins Curriculum - Growing curriculum to use with a ‘Captain’s Council’ concept in your school.
Culture WINS Mini-Course - A 37-minute Culture WINS Course for coaches.
Pre-Season Playbook - 33 pages to prepare for your season.
Off-Season Playbook - The season’s done, but the work is not.
Books:
Culture Wins - 50 ways to build a winning culture.
Culture Wins 2 - 50 MORE ways to build a winning culture.
Coaching Gold - Winning insight and wisdom for coaches.
Great Teams Better Leaders - Actionable ideas for coaches.
Paperback books (AMAZON) - All of my books are on Amazon.
Find all FREE books and resources at gberge.gumroad.com.
👀 OTHER WAYS I CAN HELP
Are you interested in Sponsoring an Issue? Reply to this email or click here: Sponsor Great Team Better Leaders.
Are you seeking a Culture or Leadership workshop for your team or school? Contact Greg for more information.
Contact Me: Greg Berge, [email protected]