FORE! A Golf Analogy

Golf is the most mentally challenging sport out there.

(Just ask any former golfer and they’ll confirm why it’s a four letter word.)

But it’s the challenge of the game that will get you hooked.

Even professional golfers can play great one day and horrible the next time.

So why would anyone in their right mind put themselves through this torture?!

It’s the feel of that one perfect shot (amidst the several poor ones) that will keep you coming back.

I know you’re probably wondering where I’m going with this, but I do have a point.

Life is less about what happens to you, but mostly how you respond to it.

Akin to golf it’s not how good your good shots are, but how good your bad shots are.

Translation: minimizing disaster aka managing your emotions/expectations is key to enjoying the sport (golf is hard!)

That directly relates to leadership.

Co-workers will drive you crazy, but understand all leaders are under a microscope especially when things go wrong.

How you respond to chaos will define your reputation as a manager.

So here comes the tie-in from golf to leadership.

In golf, it’s not about the competition as much as it’s about playing against the golf course.

When you focus on what others are doing, you lose focus on what you’re doing.

Part of that includes self-management (emotions, expectations, etc.)

How can you manage your team if you’re not managing yourself first?

• For example, not getting too excited when things go right and not getting to upset when things go wrong shows control of your emotions.

• Having realistic vs. idealistic expectations on outcomes is healthy.

Leadership is mentally, emotionally and physically challenging (spiritual too, but that’s another episode).

There are so many skills to master and personalities to balance that without composure you’ll have a mental breakdown.

Leadership and golf are similar because both can drive you crazy unless you train and prepare yourself mentally.

So whether you play golf or not, here are some leadership tips to remember:

• Don’t be too hard on yourself. As long as you’re working on growth, it takes time to see results.

• Make plans, but hold them loosely (because Plan A rarely happens)

• How you respond to crisis impacts others (microscope analogy)

Leadership is a privilege.

Treat others and yourself accordingly.

Betwixt the challenges, that one memorable team victory will keep you coming back for more.

If you can use a talk like this at your event/company reply to this email and we’ll set it up for 2024.

God Bless,

Scott