This week saw the legendary Tiger Woods win the US Masters golf tournament at Augusta, 11 years after his last major win. For those who are unaware, Tiger Woods was a child golfing prodigy, winning his first US Masters at the record age of 21 who went on to be the top golfer in the world for many years. Yet despite this success, his life has been plagued with infidelity, broken relationships, injury and car accidents that have raised a suspicion of potential drug or alcohol misuse. Yet on Sunday evening he was rapturously applauded by the audience and commentators alike as he strode to victory. It was interesting that despite all the bad press and his sometimes rather serious demeanour that he maintains a loyal and devoted following.
I think his story has some useful lessons for leaders. Firstly, that persistence and dedication can pay dividends. Despite all the injuries that could have ended his career he continued to strive to succeed, with no guarantee of future success. He realised he had to be in the game to even have a chance of regaining his position. He could so easily have retreated into oblivion and enjoyed his millionaire lifestyle. Secondly, he was prepared to fail many times, before achieving that renewed success. He was pilloried in the press and demonised as the villain, yet he was prepared to face into those failures. Not an easy task for someone who had been at the top for so long. While he took a step back into the shadows and could easily have stayed there, he chose to face up to his critics with courage and endure life in the middle rankings. Lastly, he has been very public in his admission of fault, often apologising for transgressions: Demonstrating some humility and an acceptance of his own responsibility. These I think are some of the key reasons why he has maintained public support and has managed to turn around the misfortune of the past few years.
Where do you need to demonstrate persistence in the face of difficulty?
When do you need to engage courage and face into potential failure?
When might you need to admit your own failings and apologise gracefully?
I think his story has some useful lessons for leaders. Firstly, that persistence and dedication can pay dividends. Despite all the injuries that could have ended his career he continued to strive to succeed, with no guarantee of future success. He realised he had to be in the game to even have a chance of regaining his position. He could so easily have retreated into oblivion and enjoyed his millionaire lifestyle. Secondly, he was prepared to fail many times, before achieving that renewed success. He was pilloried in the press and demonised as the villain, yet he was prepared to face into those failures. Not an easy task for someone who had been at the top for so long. While he took a step back into the shadows and could easily have stayed there, he chose to face up to his critics with courage and endure life in the middle rankings. Lastly, he has been very public in his admission of fault, often apologising for transgressions: Demonstrating some humility and an acceptance of his own responsibility. These I think are some of the key reasons why he has maintained public support and has managed to turn around the misfortune of the past few years.
Where do you need to demonstrate persistence in the face of difficulty?
When do you need to engage courage and face into potential failure?
When might you need to admit your own failings and apologise gracefully?
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