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Clive Shearer
Management
by Design
By Clive Shearer

June 14, 2000

Golf lessons

  • Golf is more than just one hole
    • By CLIVE SHEARER
    Special to the Journal

    Most things in life come in waves, stages or steps. And each of these has a start, an action and an ending. This represents opportunity–the opportunity to recover from a poor start. When playing golf, if you start your round poorly, try to make it up in subsequent holes. If you excel at the beginning–you build a cushion for a later setback. In business, take stock of your being behind or ahead. Focus on improvement as you go forward.

    PRACTICE

    Golfers study slopes and the pattern of the grass to get a feel for the course. This is analogous to planning in business. As Yogi Berra said, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” The trouble is, once you are “there” you have to get back to where you really should be. So much easier to plan ahead, even if it is simply thinking a matter through before taking any impulsive action.

    HANDICAP

    Not all staff and not all golfers are created equal. Do not expect a newcomer to be as perfect as your best performer. Acknowledge current weaknesses, and help your staff lower their handicap. The answer is to mentor those who need to be brought up to the levels of your best performers. That is why golf courses have resident pros, and that is why your office must have one or more resident mentors.

    FOCUS

    Lose your focus in golf, and your shot will fly into the rough. Lose your focus at work, through distraction or overwork, and you will require many shots to recover. In golf, keep your eye on the ball and follow though. In business, keep your eye on the goal and follow up.

    BUNKER

    From time to time things go wrong for the best of us. At these times, focus on how best to recover—and still get a great score. Know which clubs are needed at the right moment to get you out of that sand trap. Getting emotional when in the bunker will just make your shot worse. When things go wrong in business, keep calm, and use the right advice and the right tools to get back to par.

    STRIVE FOR PERFECTION

    Golf professionals work tirelessly to improve their game, despite awards, victories and accolades. True business professionals are always alert for techniques, methods, and processes that will improve profit, morale, and the end product for the client.

    COMPETITION

    A friendly bet adds spice to a golf game. Competition in business can drive you to improve your performance and your product. This includes inter-divisional and interoffice competition. But avoid interpersonal contests. These sharpen the competitive edge too keenly, and someone might get hurt if rivalries become too pointed. A round of golf with friends is spoiled when competition gets too emotional. Even competition between companies should be kept in perspective.

    19TH HOLE

    Do not forget to have fun. Work is intense and the pressure can be enormous. Thank yous and rewards are important. Everyone wants to be appreciated for their good work, and an acknowledgement by the boss is greatly valued.


    Clive Shearer is a professional trainer, educator and retreat facilitator and can be reached at cgb9@yahoo.com


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