CEOs across the world believe in the power of golf. How the game transforms them is a bit dependent on their relationship with the sport. Here are six executives and their impressions of golf.
Scott McNealy, co-founder, Sun Microsystems
He has been voted amongst America’s best business golfers. He played on the Harvard team for the sport and now his son is playing. McNealy was a member of the 2015 USA Walker Cup team and was the 2015 Jack Nicklaus Award winner as college golf’s top player. McNealy said in an article that golf was something he wanted his children to learn by themselves. “Golf is such a great game, but I wanted them to learn that for themselves,” Scott says. “I wanted them to learn to love the game, to love to practice.”
Ajay Srinivasan, CEO-Birla Financial Services
“Focus on your own game rather than worrying about things you can’t control, make small improvements continuously, have patience and play fair.” Knowing your wrongs and confessing them can only improve your game and increase your stature.
Aakash Ohri, executive director, DLF Developers
“Golf teaches you the discipline of preparation, which is an important tool in informed decision making.”
Michael Perschke, head of Global Networks, Audi
Both in golf and business, we see people losing their mind and matter in the heat of tension and regret those reactions. There are those who will feel cheating is normal practice. During your game of golf, keep all your antennas out. Get to know potential clients, good people, and watch out for those who may just not play the game of life and golf right.
Be patient and keep your mind focused, don’t push it too hard. Any hurried approach can backfire, and even worse would be to not recognise what you and your firm can or cannot deliver.
Sanjeev Aggarwal, Helion Ventures
“It is also a game where you learn to focus on the process (your swing) rather than on the result (the score).” As he pulls out a four iron from the cart, he shares his secret about running businesses. “You need to have a signature style of leadership.”
Jack Welch, GE
The former chief executive of General Electric plays golf as a test of character. He is a true believe of the words P.G. Wodehouse wrote that “in no other walk of life does the cloven hoof so quickly display itself.” Welch’s known world over for playing golf with people he wanted to hire.
