The pace of success

There are many great walks in the game of golf. There is the champions’ walk up to the 18^th green at the end of every event, the walk over the Swilken bridge at St. Andrews, and the walk up to the final green for the aged champion playing in their last major championship. Walking has a firm hold on the game and the way we fans experience it.

Outside of golf there are the legendary stories of the walks Steve Jobs took with engineers, employees, even reporters. In addition, he would take many walks alone to think. He would also do many one-on-one walks with executives and champions of business. There were many times, I read, where he would conduct team meetings with the team all moving in sync on a sidewalk or in a parking lot. Steve Jobs was a famous walker. He thought, created, scolded and did so much more during those events mostly meant to engage. The point is, walking slows things down while shaking things up. A walk can provide clarity. It can provide a unique point of view. This post will offer three opinions on walking, moving about to promote a new look into your world.

• Take walks alone: Whether you walk along the parking lot, the back of the range or a few out of the way holes during off hours, take walks. A walk is an amazing way to unclutter the mind, free up ideas, gain exercise, all while shutting out the world for at least a short while. Make sure your team knows alone means alone.
• Walk with staff members: The walks can be one on one, or you can add your leadership team. The atmosphere will provide every person with the notion they are there to contribute, to serve the business together.
• Take walks with hourly team members who are non-golfers: Not only is this a great way to learn about your team, it brings people out near the field of play where you can expose them to why people play and what the 18 holes are all about.

Certainly, you will continue to have meetings in the clubhouse throughout the season, but having a session while moving creates new, real energy. It feels different because it is. Whether the walk is alone with your thoughts or with a group of six managers, these sessions can add fresh ideas, a new spirit and an idea that we are different. Try walking as the new way to think, expose people to the course as well as each other. The combination of sunshine and a walking path can be a wondrous combination for building a better organization.

Jack Dillon writes the In My Opinion series. He has been blogging for Golfincmagazine.com for 12 years. Jack is a consultant, a speaker, author and expert in operations, in service and in the golf shop. Jack can help you build a better team and a better organization. Contact Jack at 407-973-6136 or at jackd@careerdividends.com.