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What does golf have to do with leadership?


More than you may think, according to the facilitators and participants in today's "Leadership Through Golf" program. Here are a few leadership lessons the participants took from the game. [Editor's note: Two golf-related factoids I learned today were that it only takes one finger to hold a golf club and that the pad below your pinky is considered your sixth finger in the game.]

They both take trust. Once you learn the five basics of your swing, you have to trust that you're doing them well and that they all work together. The same can be said of the staff you manage. You have to know what their talents are, give them work to do, and trust them to do it well.

They both require a stance. As a leader, when you take a stance, you identify your values and focus in on a goal. In golf, that may be hitting the ball straight or landing on the green or getting your ball in the hole. Another commonality: Your stance requires a bit of flexibility.

They both deal with alignment. Much of your golf swing depends on how your body is aligned. When it comes to leadership, you want to hire employees who align with your organization's core values.

They both have to do with force versus power. In golf, the harder you try to swing (the more force you use), the shorter distance your ball will travel. According to one of the facilitators, what you're looking for is effortless power, not powerless effort.

They both require tools. In golf, each club does different things and requires different movement. Its application to leadership? Depending on the task at hand, you are required to put different tools to work.

Any other golfers out there who see other commonalities?

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