Opportunity for a great golf shot!

There is so much I learned from working under my old boss, Ed Hughes; such as to never panic when things don't go as planned or to maintain a positive attitude in front of your team at all times. However, there is one lesson he taught me, perhaps without even knowing he was teaching me it, that has had the greatest impact on my life and career.

First, some background. Ed and I would golf a lot. I was starting to get pretty good and was pushing to break 80 for the first time when I drove a ball wide left off the tee on a Par 4 and had a horrible looking second shot staring at me. I was getting very frustrated and starting to feel the pressure of not being able to break 80.

Ed and I drove over to the ball and he could see (and hear) my anger and frustration. He shouted, "Stop! You know what this is?!" "What?" I shouted back as I looked down at my ball deep in the rough. "It's an opportunity for a great golf shot!"

I looked at him with a look that said I wanted to shove my club down his throat, but then I couldn't help but to start to laugh while at the same time wanting to say, "Eff you!" to him. But that is how Ed sees things. He sees bad moments as great opportunities. Sure enough, I hit that sucker clean and putted out for a great par. I was relaxed and the pressure was gone when I hit that shot. After that I didn't care about the rest of my round (and, no, I didn't break 80). I was happy and satisfied. I didn't let the game get to me anymore.

When things go poorly at work or in life, I now think of Ed's lesson that day: this is an opportunity for something great to happen. Whenever I take over a department or an organization that is struggling, it's the perfect time to do so as they are more willing to listen and to implement change. It's a great opportunity. When things are going well people are less inclined to investigate new ideas and methods to improve product or process. Everything is cyclical. You will have your good times and your bad times, both in your personal life and in your work life. You can either look at them as opportunities or as insurmountable obstacles. It's all about your perspective and your attitude.

When Ed and I got to my ball my first thought was to pick it up and call it a day. I'm glad I took the shot instead. There's nothing to be gained by picking up the ball and yet you never know what could happen if you're willing to line up your club and give it a ride. Sometimes you end up on the green!