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Volume 6, Issue 4, April 2007
GOLF AND THE LIFE JOURNEY Spring is here and time for my mind to think about getting on the golf course again. Someone asked me once why I liked golfing so much and why I would even spend the time watching it on TV. After thinking about it for a bit, I realized that golf encompassed my life philosophy that we are totally in control of our lives and the decisions we make. Many of you have heard me say that it is not what happens to you that counts, it is what you do about it. So, let's analyze golf and life and see how they match. Golf is about choosing the right club to make the right shot each time we are trying to reach our goal. Life is about choosing the right tool to make the right choice as we try to reach our life goal. In both golf and life, we can make the same decision based on past information while applying the variables that exist. Believe it or not, both concepts are exactly the same. Here is where it gets really interesting. I do not play golf against anyone else except myself and I do not play the game of life against anyone else except myself. When it comes to golf, I know exactly what club to choose for the right distance to the hole. In life I know what I need to do to reach my goal. In golf the variables are the weather, the terrain and the mental pressure it takes to execute the shot. In life the weather and the terrain are important elements, but the human element now comes into play; the mental pressure it takes to make the right decision. Keeping in mind that decision is about reaching the life goal that is right for me. The thing is that in both golf and life I am in control based on my mind. Yes, my mind, for it is my mind that determines the perception of the situation and that perception affects my ability to execute the shot (decision) in order to reach the goal. Let me give you two examples, one with golf and one with life. You have to take a 150-yard shot and you are on a flat fairway with no hazards (water, sand traps, trees) to hinder your shot. You get up with confidence, choose the club and execute the shot. The shot is perfect and you reach your goal (the green). Now let's add a variable. There is a big lake between you and the green. Now here is where the mind starts to interfere. Let's also add a strong crosswind. Now you have to think about the lake and the wind. You know what club you need, you know how to execute the shot, but now your mind begins to put doubts in your path as to your ability to make the shot. All you have to do is adjust for the wind, pretend the lake is not there and then execute the shot. Understanding that it is you, not the elements, that is in control of the situation. This is the key to reaching your goal. You know what to do, just do it, go with your gut. Make the decision and execute the shot. It is that simple. Now let's look at the same type of situation using life. Someone has done something that has offended you and you feel that you need to share with this person how you feel and what it is you need. This person is a co-worker; someone who you have worked with and have no problem talking to you. There is no imbalance of power, just equal friendship. The tool (club) is easy to choose as you don't want to harm your friend, but you feel you need to tell this friend how you feel and how this friend affected you. The goal is clear and the tool is chosen. The conversation takes place and the goal is reached. What happens when we add the variable of having to say the same thing to your boss or someone who you feel has greater status in the food chain? Now the variable that comes into play is fear. What will happen if this person takes offence? Just like in golf you have used the same club (tool) to reach the green (goal) and when you are confident and there are little or no variables you execute the shot (the discussion) with great success. Our failures occur when we try to over analyze the shot (the situation) and therefore choose the wrong club (tool) in order to reach the goal (the green). Remember, golf like life, is about assessing the situation, allowing for the variables, then choosing the right tool and finally executing the shot. We are in control of everything in golf as we are in control of everything in life. People in life are like the elements on the golf course, we can use them to our advantage with proper course management (people skills) or we can feel overwhelmed and make the wrong decisions that will hamper our ability to reach our goals. Happy Life and Happy Golfing. Ted.
SIDEBAR
By Pierre R. Ouellette Hon.B.A., LL.B.
In the last couple of Sidebars I dealt with the issue of Corporate Social Responsibility in international trade. The example I raised touched upon the issue of paying bribes when doing business abroad. I noted that the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act makes it illegal for Canadian businesses and individuals to bribe foreign officials to obtain or retain business. (The US equivalent is called the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977) Part of the debate is how does one actually do business in these places when companies from other countries are not bound by this type of law? The broader question is why does it matter? Why can’t it be simply seen as the cost of doing business? The problem is clearly quite complex. Indeed, corruption was, until recently, defended as an effective way to circumvent cumbersome regulations and red tape. It was alleged that corruption could actually advance economic efficiency, play a re-distributive role and even serve as a tool for national integration. More recent research has clearly demonstrated the more corrosive aspects of corruption. It is now clear that corruption acts as a secret tax that costs in the billions of dollars. The social, political and moral consequences are therefore far from negligible! In the words of Huguette Labelle, the Chair of the anti-corruption group Transparency International, “(bribing) companies are actively undermining the best efforts of governments in developing nations to improve governance, and thereby driving the vicious cycle of poverty.”
So if you are that imaginary business person in our original case study you now really have to weigh the consequences of playing this game. Aside from the not inconsequential fact that it is illegal there is a real risk of tarnishing one’s corporate reputation not only abroad but at home. The excuse that ‘everyone else is doing it’ simply does not wash! For those of you interested in the topic the Canadian government has published an interesting document on point entitled ‘Corporate Social Responsibility: An Implementation Guide for Canadian Business’. It can be obtained electronically at www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/csr As usual I welcome your comments and observations and can be reached at Pierre@CooperativeAction.com.
Quote of the Month Submitted by Brodi Mouradian
Every man dies, not every man really lives. --Braveheart
To find out how we can help you or your organization please browse our website: www.CooperativeAction.com or contact us at 905-682-7380/1-877-393-3433.
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