Fortune, the famed multinational business magazine, wants its audience to know what college football programs — especially those in the SEC — have known for a long time: Nick Saban is one of the world’s best leaders.
Saban is ranked No. 11 this year in the publication’s annual list of the world’s 50 greatest leaders.
Saban’s famed “process” has propelled his teams to five national championships, including four with the University of Alabama. Most recently, Saban deftly guided the Tide to a championship after a disheartening early season loss to Ole Miss.
Saban’s slot on this year’s Fortune list places him ahead of other well-known leaders from various backgrounds, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau; South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley; “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver; creator, writer, and star of Broadway’s massive hit “Hamilton” Lin-Manuel Miranda; basketball star Stephen Curry and his coach Steve Kerr; and international pop star and philanthropist Bono.
Coming in at number one on Fortune’s list is Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, followed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Myanmar’s leader of the National League for Democracy Aung San Suu Kyi, Pope Francis, and Apple CEO (and Alabama native) Tim Cook.
Bezos, Cook, and Pope Francis are the only three that have made Fortune’s list all three years it has been published.
Fortune has very specific criteria for the people that make their list. According to their site, “we cast a wide net, seeking outstanding leaders in all sectors of society around the world. It isn’t enough to be accomplished, brilliant, or admirable. We recognize those who are inspiring others to act, to follow them on a worthy quest, and who have shown staying power.”
“Staying power” is the reason why none of the current U.S. presidential candidates are on the list. Applying for the top job does not make one a leader, the website says. A leader must prove him or herself. A lot people probably haven’t even heard of many of the leaders on Fortune’s list.
You can see Fortune’s entire list here.
Forbes Magazine has also taken notice of Saban in recent years, in an article titled “9 Leadership Lessons From Nick Saban,” Forbes talks specifically about “the process.”
Saban’s “Process” is all about focusing on the journey, and not the destination, and about doing the right thing the right way all the time. That focus manifests itself in many different ways, some big and some small. One example: An Alabama insider remembers watching a game coached by Saban’s predecessor at Alabama, Mike Shula. “After a game, the Alabama sideline was a mess, with crushed water cups and tape all over the ground. After Saban’s first game [at Alabama], I just happened to look at the sideline. It was pristine.”
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