Tiger and Lessons from a Fallen Hero
Steve Stine
Senior Advisor - Writer/Author - Angel Investor - Board Development Lead - Advisory Board Chair
Everyone loves a hero...but there’s a special place in the heart for the fallen ones...
I watched the 1 hr 14 minute 39 second YouTube montage of Tiger Woods and his march towards the Masters Tournament championship. Why? Because everyone - golfers and non-golfers alike - were talking about it. Even Donald Trump was inspired, bestowing upon Tiger the US government’s highest honor - the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Donald’s infatuation with Tiger and golf aside - I tried not to like Tiger less for accepting the award. But I digress...
There was a time when communities gathered to hear tales of chivalry, conquest, and hardship - an oral tradition that required the simple skills of listening and imagining. Today - for better or worse - we watch; glued to our TVs, laptops and mobile phones. Still, legends are created. And in this instance the tale is that of Tiger Woods.
All great stories leave us with life lessons. This is what I learned by watching Tiger at his best. I’ve time stamped each point in case you want to follow along by viewing this YouTube highlight of his walk to victory. https://youtu.be/_HGIcMU29G4
Hole 2: To make the most of it when landing in the rough (stand among the azaleas and dogwoods for a while, you might notice something new) [3:25]
Hole 6: To never take a ‘sure thing’ for granted [20:00]
Hole 7: To listen to the wind when in doubt. NOTE: Wind = Spirit in the world of mythology [20:45]
Hole 8: If you chose the wrong club (or the wrong strategy) you have no one to blame but yourself
Hole 10: When somebody doubts you, prove them wrong! [33:25]
Look at the expression on Molinari’s face. Somehow he knew it wouldn’t end in his favor [40:10]
Hole 12: When it starts to rain... reign! [40:38]
Hole 15: When you take the lead, don't squander it [53:00]
Hole 16: When somebody hands you a par 3, make it a birdie [54:00]
It was over at 16...
My takeaways:
* Time in the Underworld can give birth to a better image of your younger self!
* You're never to old to discover personal or professional redemption!
* Give the ego a rest. Do it for the next generation!
* Your fans will not forget you and the will most certainly forgive you if you show some humility and a shred of vulnerability!
Epic Quotes from TV Commentators:
“Every hole has been its own drama...it’s own little chapter”
“The son of golfers has returned”
“Here it is...(pause for Tiger's putt on the 18th)...the return to glory!