Achieving a par in golf or in my case, a bogey, is not a random process. Golf teaches us that it is essential to have structure to achieve the vision in mind while on the tee box. A similar process is essential in leadership and business; if an organization doesn’t align with its vision it won’t achieve its potential. In golf we waste strokes; in organizations and business it can cost considerable money, resources and talent.

As we look down the fairway on the second tee, some thoughts that come to mind include distance to the flag and the hazards (obstacles) in our way. We see ourselves landing on the green and don’t bother to look at all the hazards in front of us. We calculate the distance and take into account the hazards which include bunkers, water, trees, out of bounds stakes, divots, tall grass, fast greens and sometimes, ourselves. We analyze the risks and make decisions on which club to use and how we want to shape the shot.

In business we sometimes forget to look at the barriers and the risks we must take to achieve our vision. Those hazards in business can be policies and procedures, organizational culture, job descriptions and systems, compensation plans, reward systems, performance appraisal systems, systems control and technology (or lack of) and succession planning. In essence we do a risk assessment.

As leaders, as in golf, we must take a realistic look at the barriers we face and define a plan on how we will achieve our vision knowing there are obstacles (hazards) we must overcome.

Golf teaches us the importance of setting goals – something too many businesses don’t do often enough. Or they set goals that are unattainable. If I set a goal of playing par golf, I will fail every time. I am not a par player, so maybe my attainable goal would be to play bogey golf. I have attained that and am even a little better on occasion.

To play this hole we have to take several steps:
1. Develop a plan.
2. Analyze the barriers and risks and make appropriate decisions.
3. Align our physical and internal system (the mental part of golf) with our vision.
4. Implement and integrate all the elements of our plan.
5. Set realistic and smart goals.
6. Accept victories and learn from them and let go of mistakes. Dwelling on a mistake will affect your next shot.
7. Never give up.

This hole teaches us that to reach our goal we must not only have a target, but a plan to reach it. It is important to ALIGN our vision with a strategy in order to achieve it.

So how did you do on the second hole? Birdie, Par or Bogey? Whatever your score, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are having fun and learning. See you next month on the third tee. In the meantime, go practice what the game is teaching you.