Learning from the "Masters"

Unheralded Zach Johnson won the Master’s golf tournament this past weekend. He held off charges from the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory Sabbatini, Retief Goosen and Justin Rose to capture the coveted Green Jacket.

Stunning. Unlikely. Surreal. These are a few of the words being thrown around about his victory.

In 2002, I had the privilege of meeting and playing golf with Zach in a Pro-Am prior to an NGA tour event in Broken Arrow, OK. He was 26 years old at the time and working to earn a PGA tour card. He took a big step in that direction by winning that NGA tournament event at Forest Ridge Golf Club. Must’ve been the course knowledge he got from me during the Pro-Am…!

(In the first photo, you see Zach carrying his own bag in the tournament at Forest Ridge – something he will never have to worry about again.)

I really like to use sports analogies in training and development – it seems there are always lessons in abundance for business people. Let’s take a look at the people who play golf, for instance. There are people who simply play golf…there are people who excel at golf…there are people who make a living playing golf. Then, there are those players who are the best-of-the-best, the great champions of golf – Woods, Nicklaus, Palmer, Player, Nelson, Jones.

Business tends to run in similar directions – individuals whose only tie to management is the title on their business card…those that are struggling to become effective managers…and those that have become outstanding managers. Then, there is the league “all their own”, the best-of-the-best, the great managers that transform departments and companies.

The question is how to become one of those great managers?

As I think about Zach Johnson’s success last weekend, I can see clearly two ideas that apply. First, Zach had a very clear destination in mind. Even as he played for much smaller paydays in front of a handful of fans, he wanted to be a PGA golfer. The NGA and the Nationwide Tours had to be conquered first, but the PGA was the objective.

When I met him in 2002, he was the same humble guy that you saw on CBS Sunday afternoon – minus the jacket and the cash, of course – but he had a clear vision of his professional objective. All of his career decisions were made with that goal in mind. His preparation had purpose. He refused to allow failure to deter his vision of where he wanted to go.

Secondly, Zach had a very clear path mapped out in his mind to reach that destination.

NGA Tour. Nationwide Tour. PGA Tour. And he worked very hard on the skills that are needed to become a successful pro.

“Zach has been a good player for a long time”, said Retief Goosen. “He hits the ball very solid, very straight, and he’s a very good putter. That’s what you need to do around Augusta.” And Zach knew that a long time ago. To get to your objective, you have to understand the skills that will be needed and work on them diligently.

Applying these ideas to you as managers, you must first decide that we want to become great managers (destination), and secondly, you must make specific plans to reach that objective (path). What are the benchmarks for great managers? What are your strengths? What skills do you lack? How can you improve?

How would you rate yourself in the following managerial competencies?

1. Self-awareness
2. Leadership
3. Organization/Planning
4. Communication – verbal/written
5. Resourcefulness
6. Coaching/Mentoring
7. Goal-setting
8. Performance review
9. Listening/Feedback
10. Persuasion/Presentation skills
11. Conflict resolution

To become a great manager, you need to know exactly what that destination looks like, but you also need to map out a specific path to get there. In the same way that the champion golfer must master driving, putting, bunker shots, etc., each of these skills listed above are crucial to achieving excellence as a manager. Improving these skills through the resources available is the equivalent of spending hours on the driving range or the putting green. Training, continuing education, books and CDs – all of these are tools that can be used to become a great manager. (Click here to see a list of books that make for “required reading”.)

One other critical lesson to learn from Zach’s journey – great golfers are not made overnight. Tiger Woods has, in the mind’s of many experts, become the greatest golfer of all time, but he didn’t do it overnight. His work ethic – his practice routines and his analysis of his game – are legendary. The great ones work at it; they work with purpose; and, they know that greatness does not come before mastery of the skills.

“He played beautifully,” Woods said. “Look at the round he shot out there, the score. He did what he needed to do. He went out there, grinded away, made shots he needed to make.”

Grind, indeed. All the way to the top.