In her book, The Language of Leadership, Marlene Caroselli, Ph.D., cites metaphors as a significant technique that leaders in all facets of American life use. Whether a religious, political, corporate, or nonprofit leader, the effective communicator uses metaphors to create comfort and an image. A metaphor connects something familiar to the listener or reader to something that is unfamiliar, yet relevant to the discussion. To create comfort around an abstract idea, one might connect it to a concrete object or an action. Martin Luther King, Jr., did this when he likened the Civil Rights Movement to a checking account: one has to make deposits before writing a check on the account! The comfort, at an uncomfortable time in U.S. history, was made with the common experience with banking. This technique assisted understanding in recognizing that patience as well as action are required for significant change to result. Saying "The clouds are galloping across the sky" suggests a connection between clouds and horses moving quickly, and this connection establishes a memorable image.
Another author, Randy Voorhees, wrote The Little Book of Golf Slang. Using an extended metaphor of golf, I'd like to share 13 lessons about leadership I culled from this book.
1. Soar like an eagle, and play like an "albatross" (three under par).
2. Strike boldly so as not to land on the "amateur side" (low side) of the hole.
3. Make par despite the "barky" (hitting a tree), the "beach" (sand obstacles), and the cabbage (the rough). Obstacles embed themselves into the business fairway. Be ready to readjust and to advance toward the goal on schedule and with the remaining resources.
4. Be aware of the "cellophane bridge" (invisible barrier over the hole). Investigate and eliminate these internal and external obstacles to support your team in achieving the goal.
5. Lay a "carpet" (well-manicured fairway) to clear a pathway for success. Remove "fuzzy" areas (unmowed fairway) by clarifying objectives, identifying standards and expectation, and verifying efficient methods.
6. Follow the guideline of "plates" (yardage markers) on golf courses for attaining goals: note how far or close the success is in a visual display to motivate teams, employees, and customers.
7. "Drive for show, and putt for dough." Remember the revenue is often in winning the sale with the details and performing beyond expectations--par or under. Also, "long and wrong" (distance and direction, respectively) is inefficient and self-defeating, even though the effort was amazing!
8. Learn from others by "going to school" (observing putts and chips) getting professional development, and benchmarking. Be a role model for continuous learning.
9. Know your strengths and limitations: "Horses for courses" (one player--horse--may do best on a particular course). Keep this in mind when selecting, developing, and retaining human resources.
10. Cultivate an ethical culture void of "hunching" (illegally moving the ball closer to the hole) and "pencil hockey" (recording a more favorable score than actually earned). Internal audits and legitimate recognition for tasks done well will help in this process.
11. Be "in the pocket" (ending play by placing the ball in the pocket) by conceding in a timely fashion. This will conserve time, energy, and resources; it will also end the frustration of going in the wrong direction, having an unclear purpose, or missing an uncontrollable obstacle.
12. Avoid complainers who gripe about being "robbed" (not getting what they want even when their own performance keeps them from getting what they want) and "hackers" (a harsh term for those who do not perform well). They can drain the positive out of you and everyone within 100 feet. "Duffers" (a gentle term for those who do not perform well) may be having an off day or a short-term issue that is reversible with patience, empathy, coaching, or training.
13. Asking good performers to take a "victory lap" (the ball spins around the inside of the hole before coming to a rest) shows that you value reward and recognition for a job done well. People appreciate being appreciated! How cool would it be to organize an organization-wide, unit-wide, division-wide, department-wide, or team-wide victory lap around the building in celebration of something significant or simply fun!
Finally, remember that "going into the hole" is only good in golf!
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