The Up and Down of Leadership

program uses golf to teach leadership principles through a three day practical, immersive experience taking place on and off the golf course. Individuals or a team comprised of eight participants, all of whom must have some golf experience, will work individually and in groups with golf professionals and executive facilitators.

The following principles demonstrate how golf situations can mirror leadership challenges, offering a unique perspective on cultivating effective strategies, adaptability, and perseverance in a leadership setting. These are but a few that will be covered during this unique retreat:

1. Strategic Planning and Decision-Making

• Golf Situation: When preparing for a tricky hole, golfers assess the course layout, weather conditions, and their own skills before choosing the best club and shot strategy. For instance, deciding between attempting a high-risk, long shot over a water hazard versus a safer approach that may require additional strokes.

• Leadership Principle: Leaders must strategically plan their approaches by evaluating the terrain of the business environment, the strengths and weaknesses of their team, and potential challenges. Making a thoughtful decision involves weighing the risks and rewards of various courses of action.

2. Adaptability and Problem-Solving

• Golf Situation: During a round of golf, unexpected challenges may arise, like a poorly positioned bunker shot or an unexpected gust of wind that impacts the ball’s trajectory. Adjusting the grip, stance, or strategy can help navigate these challenges and improve the recovery.

• Leadership Principle: Leaders must be adaptable and resilient in the face of unexpected problems, rapidly devising creative solutions. Like adjusting a golf swing to recover from an obstacle, leaders should remain agile, modifying strategies to handle challenges effectively.

3. Continuous Improvement and Resilience

• Golf Situation: Golfers rarely achieve perfection on the course. Even seasoned players experience missteps like hitting the ball out of bounds or missing an easy putt. However, the pursuit of improvement through practice and analysis of past errors leads to enhanced performance.

• Leadership Principle: Leaders should foster a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging teams to learn from their mistakes without dwelling on failures. This principle underlines the importance of resilience and viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth and refinement.