Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Four Levels of Mindset from Robert Saleh

All opinions in the blog are solely my own. The blog is not an official publication of any Melrose institution. 

Learn from leaders and other sports. Former Jets coach and 49ers Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh describes four levels of "mindset." The ideas today are stolen from Saleh (the language in the video is not appropriate). 

Commanders

Competitors

Contenders

Survivors


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Survivors look for the easy way out. They're not about achievement or excellence, but getting by. They find the sustainable path of least resistance.

Contenders are higher on the food chain. They're motivated by external factors - playing time, money, or fame. They do what they can to achieve their specific goals. The do their best only when their minutes, money, or recognition are on the line. 

Competitors have internal motivation to be their best regardless of the situation. "This dude is trying to personal record every day of life"...and has a championship mindset.

Commanders are competitors with an additional quality, "they bring others along with them." Saleh says they created "a standard, a way of life...it's who you are, your DNA."

Programs win with competitors and commanders. Which are you? 

Lagniappe. You have a job to do. My boss in the Navy, CAPT Walsh, would tell us, "Handle it, boys." We handled it. 

 

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