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Soon it will be time for the Masters. The coveted green jacket will be at awarded. Pro-Golfers and top golf amateurs look forward to this event, and Tiger Woods is no different. Tiger has won the coveted green jacket more than once. However- no one is betting that Tiger will win this year. This has been a tough year for Tiger. Personal problems have gotten in the way. In some tournaments Tiger didn’t even make the cut into the finals. Many can’t believe it- he’s missed putts, some of his drives have been off, and his short game at times was a mess.
The one thing Tiger has proven- is that even one of the finest golfers in the world- he is human.
Managers and Leaders need to pay attention to what Tiger is doing to recover. Oh sure, he’s won a ton of money and could “retire” – but not Tiger. Instead he has a deliberate plan of recovery. Tiger’s strategy of recovery is worth paying attention to and learning from.
These are some tough times for business leaders. The economy has been down, so profits have been down. For many, like Tiger Woods, this has been as excellent time to re-group. Look at the business (and for Tiger golf is his business), and identify the areas that need to be addressed.
For Tiger it’s been at time to fine tune- analyze, and refine his game. Recently, after Tiger had missed the cut to a game’s finals round a reporter stopped him and asked him ‘what’s going on’….. Tiger’s response- wasn’t one of excuses, it wasn’t one of blame, instead he said something like…’I’ve been working on my irons and I felt pretty good about them. He then mentioned several holes that a great iron shot saved the par or helped him in making the birdie. The reporter kept pressing Tiger on why “his game has been so off.” Why he wasn’t winning tournaments. Like only Tiger can do- he smiled and calmly said, you know ‘I had some personal problems and I lost focus. That being said,’ he continued, ‘I am re-focusing, and working on my game. I felt really good about how well my irons worked for me today. I’ve been working hard and really concentrating on them and I feel really good.’ (sorry I can’t give you the exact quote- but this is close)
Tiger Woods teaches managers and leaders of today some solid lessons.
1. Sometimes – things happen and we lose focus. Like Tiger, life happens, and everything doesn’t always go according to plan. Let’s face it the economy tanked and took many companies by surprise. Like Tiger, use this time to re-focus, analyze and renew.
2. Quit blaming someone or something else. Could Tiger blame others- sure. If you listen to the interviews- Tiger takes responsibility and takes action. Leaders need to take responsibility… and stop blaming someone or something else. Leaders also need to take action in fixing the problem- come up with solutions and follow through on those actions.
3. Tiger didn’t say he was working on ALL the clubs in his bag- he was working on ‘just the irons.’ He has a plan- a strategy. He works on just a few clubs at a time. According to Golf Digest (April 2011) Tiger spends hours and hours every day trying to perfect a few clubs at a time … NOT the whole bag of clubs. This is important. Managers and Leaders need to analyze their business game… what needs improving? Where are the gaps? Where has the company lost focus? Take one crucial segment of the business and concentrate to perfect that aspect of the company.
4. After Tiger starts to perfect a set of clubs – he plays tournaments- even though he has not perfected every club. In business terms, Tiger is beta testing his new strategy. It is important to note that Tiger has continued to lose tournaments… but he remains true and is focused on what he is working on. In business, leaders must do the same thing. For example with the new generation’s buying power- maybe marketing or product development isn’t as focused on the new generation as it needs to be. Leaders need to analyze, re-focus and then test it out.
5. Commitment. Tiger is very committed and believes not in short-term success but in long-term success. Tiger has a new coach and instructor, and is staying the course. Tiger has commented that his improvement hasn’t been “as fast as he expected,”…but you do not see Tiger jumping from one coach to another. He continues to work hard and is giving his strategy the opportunity to work. In recent tournaments we are beginning to see that hard work and commitment pay off. Leaders often jump from the theories of one popular book to another. Employees often complain that their leaders follow the leadership book of the month club. The perception is that the leaders haven’t really thought through their strategy, and are not really committed. In one company I consulted in, a manager told me…‘if we don’t like the new strategy and direction corporate leadership is taking us… we don’t worry, it will change in a month or two.
Tiger Woods hasn’t won any major tournaments lately, and not every shot of his is perfect. However the lessons here are clear and ones we should all take note of and follow in our lives and businesses. Learn from Tiger- don’t stop- keep refining- keep working…and keep trying. Once one area is perfected, move on to the other clubs in your business bag. And follow the same process.
In the end your company will be able to win the Green Jacket.
See you at the Masters
