The Power of Visualization

If you read the last blog, then you know I’ve cleared my mind of mechanical swing thoughts and started crushing my drives down the middle of the fairway. Sometimes. But like everyone, my brain wants to think about something. That's what it does. So what is mine thinking about? - What great looks like.

I’ve started taking a practice swing for my brain. Rather than feeling for the hip rotation, the slight brush of the turf, and a smooth follow-through, I envision my shot as I swing. In my mind, I hear the sound of great contact and the whizz of a screaming fast ball. I see the effortless ascension of a well-lofted shot and the sheer beauty of that little white speck dropping softly on the green and rolling towards the pin. Then I step up and take my shot.

Does it mirror the perfection of my vision - well, a couple of times a round, yes. And when it does, I quietly but audibly say to myself, "Nice shot." More often though, it doesn't do everything I'd hoped for, and I simply move on, no self-talk. The more I do this, the better my shots become. Why?

I'm training my subconscious to agree to a mission, reinforcing it when it achieves it, and subtly letting it know when it doesn't. Imperceptibly, it takes in that data, plus everything that went right and wrong with the swing and subconsciously makes an improvement for my next swing.

Ongoing strategic alliance management can draw a lot from this technique. Just like in golf, where the perfect shot is elusive but strived for, in the world of business, achieving perfection is often an aspirational goal. However, the practice of envisioning success and then taking action with that vision in mind can have a profound impact on the outcome. Here's how the principles of visualization on the golf course can be applied to managing strategic alliances.

1. Define What "Great" Looks Like: In the business world, it's crucial to have a clear vision of what success looks like in a strategic alliance. This might involve setting specific goals, KPIs, or performance indicators that help align all parties involved in the partnership.
2. Create a Mental Practice Swing: Just as a golfer takes a practice swing, businesses should conduct simulations, brainstorming sessions, and scenario planning to prepare for various alliance scenarios. By envisioning potential challenges and successes, teams can better prepare for the real thing.
3. Positive Reinforcement: In golf, celebrating a perfect shot with a "Nice shot" reinforces the desired outcome. Similarly, in strategic alliance management, it's essential to celebrate wins, whether they are small victories or major milestones. This positive reinforcement motivates teams and reinforces the alliance's goals.
4. Learning from Imperfection: When a golfer's shot doesn't go as planned, they don't dwell on it but instead move on. In the business world, when things don't go as expected in a strategic alliance, it's essential to focus on learning from the experience, adapting, and moving forward.
5. Training the Subconscious: Just as a golfer trains their subconscious to improve their swing, businesses can learn from their experiences and continuously adapt their strategies in response to what worked and what didn't. This iterative process can lead to stronger, more effective alliances over time. Call it machine learning for your partnership.

By applying the principles of visualization and continuous improvement to your strategic alliance management, you can work towards achieving your vision of what "great" looks like in the world of business partnerships. Just as the golfer fine-tunes their swing, you can fine-tune your strategic alliances for improved performance and long-term success. Remember, it's not about achieving perfection every time but about learning and growing from each experience.