Meet Bobby. He’s leaning forward at the head of the conference table, arms crossed, listening as his sales team lists missed deadlines, client changes, and delays from other departments. Bobby listens, but as the complaints pile up, his jaw tightens. Finally, he cuts in: “Look, we all have challenges. You want better results? Do the work. Focus on what you can control and stop making excuses.”
The room falls silent. Eyes drop to notepads. And as the meeting ends, Bobby walks to his office with an uneasy feeling. He knows barking orders isn’t creating lasting change, but he’s frustrated. His capable salespeople are distracted and failing to execute the fundamentals. He wants a high-performing team that collaborates, hits deadlines, and stays focused without burning themselves or him out.
In this episode, Jay is joined by Alan Stein Jr., keynote speaker, author, and former high-performance coach who spent 15 years working with elite athletes including Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant. Alan now helps leaders raise performance by simplifying success, mastering the basics, and creating teams that thrive under pressure.
Alan shares powerful lessons from the hardwood, including his first meeting with Kobe Bryant and the surprising drills that defined Kobe’s greatness. Together, they explore why chasing shortcuts undermines execution, how to identify the “big three” responsibilities that drive results, and why discipline is really about making present decisions your future self will thank you for.
If you’ve been overwhelmed by complexity or tempted to skip the fundamentals, this episode will help you simplify, focus, and build a culture where excellence becomes inevitable.
Notable Quotes
“Complexity undermines execution. Success is about mastering the basics.” — Alan Stein Jr.
“Discipline is making a decision in the moment that aligns with the person you want to become.” — Alan Stein Jr.
“Focus on the process. When you love the work, you’ve already won before the game even starts.” — Jay Abbasi
About Our Guest
Alan Stein Jr. is a keynote speaker, performance coach, and author of Raise Your Game and Sustain Your Game. After 15 years working with NBA superstars like Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant, Alan now teaches business leaders how to apply the same high-performance habits to their teams. His programs help organizations simplify success, master the fundamentals, and create cultures built on discipline, accountability, and consistent excellence.
Resources and Links
Alan Stein Jr.
Website – https://alansteinjr.com/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-stein-jr/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/alansteinjr
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/alansteinjr/
Jay Abbasi
Website – https://jayabbasi.me/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast
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Join Us Next Time
On Friday, Jay will share five proven hacks to help you stay disciplined and committed to the fundamentals, even when they feel boring or uncomfortable. These are the same strategies he’s used with clients and in workshops worldwide to help people build habits, routines, and rituals that lead to lasting success.
If you’re ready to fall in love with the process and master the basics in your work and life, don’t miss this practical, high-impact episode.
