1. Leadership - not a game of perfect
I play golf - no please don't stop reading - and I'm fascinated by the
mental side of the game. There is book entitled "Golf is not a game of
perfect" by Dr Bob Rotella that has had a big impact on me. My golf's
still erratic (though I'm working on it) but I've been using the basis of the
book in my practice. Let me explain how I use a book about the
psychology of golf with my coaching clients (when appropriate to their
agenda) and in leadership workshops.
I push my clients and participants to find time in a crowded diary
for preparation. That means not just reading the volumes of stuff that
an organization produces but thinking about their approach, their
values, their position.
I discuss with groups and clients about their approach when
things go wrong. Making mistakes as a leader is inevitable. What
matters most is what they do next. Their mental approach to admitting
and repairing mistakes speaks volumes about them as a person and as
a leader.
I talk about being confident when they are addressing their team or
having a difficult conversation. The psychology of this is complex and
evolving but I link it to the first point around preparation and also that it
comes back to their thoughts about themselves and their value, striving
to constantly improve and in not dwelling on things that they haven’t got
right in the past
I explore the extent to which it is important for a leader to be
decisive, not procrastinating even when there is imperfect or a paucity
of information. My view is that procrastination is often a worse “sin” than

2. being decisive and not getting it right…….
Most importantly I try to work with groups and clients to get them away
from thinking that if they find “answers” or ready-made solutions
they will get close to being seen as perfect leaders. The complexity
of the work place and particularly human interaction means that they
need to be thoughtful reflective practitioners – to find a way through
rather than seeking to execute things perfectly.
Now back to the golf…..!