In Position to Win

Watching the U.S. Open unfold recently first-hand, my mind couldn’t help but race to leadership, brand, etc. It had nothing to do with Donald Trump, although he was strangely just another face in the crowd during the first round. Nor did it have much to do with Tiger Woods’ golf ball, which, on an errant drive, rolled to our feet, flashing the famous Nike Swoosh.

No, actually, the point is much simpler. And while it pertains to Tiger, it’s not about branding symbols despite what many continue to believe at their own peril.

Anyone who watched the U.S. Open from start to finish could never have predicted the outcome. But they could predict with relative certainty that Tiger would be in a position to win no matter what the circumstances. That’s what makes him great.

How many business leaders or companies can say the same thing? It’s not entirely about winning, with respect to Jack Welch’s recent book, “Winning.” It’s more about being in a position to win without being self-consumed at all costs. Wins will always come when you’re in a position to win, yet the vice versa doesn’t always hold true.

The sports world is literally filled with examples to make this point. George Steinbrenner, who has experienced his fair share of winning as owner of the New York Yankees, will never go down as a highly selfless figure when it’s all said and done. Perhaps admired from afar but never selfless, or the opposite of self-consumed.

Bobby Cox, manager of the Atlanta Braves, will leave an indelible mark, mainly because he always tries to put others in a position to win (ok, not always in the post-season but that’s not pertinent here.) So will Joe Torre, Nolan Ryan and Cal Ripken, Jr. Not Pete Rose, Kobe Bryant or any other selfish overpaid star unwilling to sacrifice their own ego for the greater whole.

Please don’t mistake this as an excuse to lose or lack the “eye of the tiger” to win (no pun intended.) To the contrary, it’s more about putting yourself in more situations where you can win versus winning at all times and costs.

The position that you occupy in other people’s minds and how you use that position defines your leadership brand. And while we all can’t be Tiger Woods, if more business leaders put themselves in better position to win, then everyone’s interests would be much better served.