The Ryder Cup Is A Lesson For Life

As we sit here the day after the USA had taken back the Ryder Cup (This is not the cup left in a Ryder rental truck) from Europe. As Wall Street unravels we sure can use some good news.

Here was this young inexperienced group of men who were being lead by a man who had a different idea. They were pitted against a group who had not lost since 1999 and the USA had only won 3 times since 1991. Paul Azzinger took on the role of leader with the task to shock the world and bring back the cup.

By his side for most of the time was a softly spoken and garrulous man. Ron Braund is Azinger’s life coach and most of what the captain did in dealing with his team was first approved by Braund.

“Paul has a great EQ - explanation quotient,” Braund said. “He believes that the ‘I win, you lose’ approach is no good. Paul is an ‘I win, you win’ man. He wanted to make sure his players felt completely comfortable.” Azinger said: “This meant that I gave different messages to different members of the team. You can’t tell Boo Weekley and Steve Stricker the same thing.”

Lou Holtz, the former football coach, told the players of the acronym WIN and it quickly became a mantra. “What’s Important Now” was something the US players said repeatedly to themselves, as well as: “We must keep our focus, talk it through.”

Paul was the classic Emotional Intelligence leader; he used his own attitude to set the tone for the team. He also kept the message simple and clear so all the players and coaches could embody it.

Here are some quotes from players about Azzingers leadership:

Zinger has been an awesome captain,” American player Phil Mickelson said. “He has a lot of energy, and he’s funny. He rips on us, and he builds us up.”

“Zinger in ‘10?” Justin Leonard.

How does this help me and my life? What can I take from this for myself? Is this the leader I want to be?

If you want to shock the world and live the dream give me a call.

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