I heard a great story recently about a legendary golf coach that struck me as a great metaphor for anyone charged with coaching, leading or inspiring others.
Bob Torrance was a highly regarded Scottish golf coach for over 50 years in and around the UK. In 2002, he was working with a few of his players at the famed Muirfield Golf Links, in Scotland ahead of The Open Championship – one of professional golf’s most important events of the year.
Ernie Was Struggling
During a practice-round warmup on the range that week, Ernie Els asked Bob if he could take a look at his swing. Els had been struggling badly in the weeks leading up to the open and wanted to get the experienced eyes of Torrance on his swing to see what he might do to survive The Open.
Bob instructed Ernie to hit a few shots as he watched, first from behind, then from the face on view, and then from behind his back. Ernie hit some shots perfectly straight, a few a little to the left, and a few a little to the right.
A Surprising Answer
After about a dozen shots, Ernie asked Bob, “What should I do?” To which Bob replied. “Nothing. It looks great. Don’t change a thing.” And Els said “OK,” and promptly went on to win The Open Championship.
What’s the genius there? Why is that such a special story, or a metaphor for inspiring others?
Torrance knew that Els had all the skills he needed that week – but that he lacked one important ingredient; the belief in himself that he belonged out there. Sure, Els’ game wasn’t perfect. But there was nothing Torrance could tinker with two days before the Championship that would make a difference. In fact, it might even make it worse.
The True Measure of Leadership
The best thing Torrance could do in that moment was to inspire the brilliance within Els to emerge. And it seems like that is exactly what he did.
Who on your team or in your organization could benefit from a little inspiration from you right now? Just a few words of encouragement that reminds them that they have all they need to; tackle the project, crush the presentation, or lead their team through a rough patch.
The true measure of leadership is influence. Often, the highest leverage move we can make is to cultivate brilliance in another person (instead of reminding them of all the ways they are coming up short).
Who will you inspire today?
