The magic of golf

Malaysian Business, May 16, 2007 by K Vara

MANY people play golf, and this suggests that there is a desire to associate, express or develop their talents and joys of the body and mind. There is exercise, companionship, business and so on, which the player can enjoy. But only a handful of players truly understand the sort of emotional demands and control relating to high-performance golf.

Many of the skills that lead to success on the golf course also lead to high performance in the business world as well. So, what does it take to play great golf?

Obviously, some level of athletic talent is desirable, but once you have developed a decent swing and understand the mechanics of the game, the rest is in the mind.

The game of golf is just another way to experience life, says John Haime, a former professional golfer from Canada. Following a successful career in professional golf, Haime began a career in international business with a leading Canadian trade policy consulting firm. He specialised in international trade strategy, negotiation and dispute resolution, making written and oral submissions to governments on behalf of Fortune-500 clients.

In cooperation with the international Hay Group, Haime is currently conducting workshops and coaching clinics in Kuala Lumpur on human development. The Hay Group is a global consulting firm that works with leaders to transform strategies into results. In 1994, Haime founded Corporate Golf Links Inc, a company specialising in golf events. His Learning Links programme has helped companies enhance their team leadership capability.

In a recent interview with Malaysian Business, Haime says: `Golf provides a profound opportunity to observe one's ability to concentrate and detach from the contents of the mind. The golf course teaches the player how and what to do to be successful with every shot.' Also present was Hay Group Director of Asia Pacific Tharuma Rajah.

At the first tee, he says, this thought often enters the mind: `I am going to push this drive,' or `God, I hope this does not go out of bounds'. Do you get caught up and go into an emotional reaction over this thought, beginning to worry and tense up, or do you just let it pass through, continuing to breathe and relax?

`All business leaders and golfers desire one thing: consistency. The ability to manage oneself well and consistently while under pressure is the key difference between outstanding and average performers. A golf experience creates a conducive environment to discover your personal emotional intelligence competencies,' says Haime.

In today's business climate, he adds, it's all about leverage - how you can get the most out of your human capital.

At the workshops and tailor-made clinics, Haime emphasizes on spending more time in the `Upward Spiral' and creating resonance with simple keys, including enhancing self-awareness through practice. To achieve this, his advice is: `Identify your tendencies under pressure and pay attention to physical signs (heart rate, etc.). Accurately identify your strengths and limits. Be aware of behaviour in stressful situations and practise mindfulness.'

Haime says that intelligence and education are no longer sufficient to remain competitive. We need something he calls `emotional intelligence' as well. Emotional intelligence is about the inner skills that one has developed typically with life experiences and maturity. These inner skills refer to one's deeper psychological structure, and not just one's actions.

Emotional intelligence is the capacity to recognise one's own feelings and those of others, for motivating themselves, managing emotions well in themselves and in their relationships.

Haime says no matter how much or little experience one has in golf, by attending the workshops, one can learn important lessons that will increase one's chances of business success. `Our courses are informative, resourceful and pleasurable.' And unlike other golf clinics, Haime conducts his workshops on the golf course itself. His on-the-green courses are aimed at developing or enhancing one's capabilities, regardless of their occupation or industry. The programmes are tailor-made to fit individual needs and can meet every budget.

The focus is on improving productivity, reducing employee stress, teaching superior decision-making skills, increasing motivation, improving leadership and increasing individual effectiveness. Conducted separately or in a complete seminar package, each training module equips business golfers to manage their on-course activities with specific business objectives in mind, and introduces self- awareness and management practices to improve performance and achieve goals.

Says Haime: `Good business is built upon good relationships. One can open many opportunities through golf. A respectable golf game has proven to be a valuable business skill. In today's fast-paced world or business, building stronger relationships and acquiring new customers is instrumental to the success of all businesses. There is no doubt about it, business today is built upon solid relationships. One's ability to manage the relationship will determine success. Golf can be a valuable tool in building and maintaining rapport.