By Associate John Howe, Director of our BTS Division

Through the years I have found golfers to be among my best connections, both personally and professionally. I also believe the game offers insights for business.

A few years ago a fellow member of the local golf league I participate in was diagnosed with a terminal illness. In order to survive, he needed to find a bone marrow donor. A testing drive was launched and held in a local industrial park building. I decided to go since Terry was someone I had always liked. Though competitive during matches, he was quick with a handshake and words of encouragement. He was the kind of guy you didn’t mind losing to, because he treated you like a winner.

I figured I would be all alone, the only one who would be there from the golf league. But when I got to the testing center, everywhere I looked were other members of the same golf league! These were business people from all levels, ranging from executives to production floor workers. It turns out, the league of golfers produced dozens of potential donors. We were all there to support a brother in golf. Respect matters.

Golf has a way of leveling the playing field.

I have played in countless charity scramble events. Teams are often composed of an executive and several lower level employees. Invariably, there is someone who rarely golfs and gets down in the dumps because they aren’t contributing to the team’s success.

That all changes when that same individual makes an important putt or hits one great shot. In other words, everyone contributes. And looking back at the event, those on the team soon realize how much they needed each other.

Golf demands honesty.

I remember playing in an event where I hit a big drive. The ball sailed over the hill, but we never saw it land. When we got to the rise of the hill and looked down, we could see a ball off in the distance.  It was very close to the green, a spectacular shot! Everyone was sure that it was mine. But when we got to it, I could see that it lacked the normal marking I put on my golf balls. Although it would have been tempting to not say anything, I declared that it was not my ball… and to groans and complaints from the team, we went back and played a much shorter shot from the rough.

Later that year I had occasion to be asked a challenging question by one of the golf team members regarding a business matter. The answer I gave was not what he wanted to hear. But he added this comment: “I know from golf that you are true to your word.” Honesty is not optional.

In business, we can learn from golf:

·         Relationships matter.

·         Everyone contributes.

·         Honesty is the best rule.