Hole #8
Get to the Green
Par 4 • 405 Yards
There are many different ways to reach the green. However, getting there isn’t enough. How we get there and what resources it will take is what often distinguishes the game’s winners from the game’s losers. Experience teaches us that taking shortcuts or cutting corners is not usually the best way to reach a goal. True, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line (and the most-direct route is often the best one to travel), but there are risks to this approach in golf as well as in business: Trying to make up for lost strokes by taking a shortcut across the lake might get you there in fewer strokes, but you risk hitting your ball in the water, adding even more strokes to your score.
Have you ever been tempted to try to make up for sagging business profits by making a quick decision on a new proposal or cutting a corner to minimize or even make up for lost revenues? Taking risky management shots often turns out to be disastrous for the manager as well as the company. The best “shortcut” you can take in golf or in business is to identify the root cause of every problem, and then take corrective action to prevent it from reoccurring in the future. Think through the consequences of every decision if you want to get to the green.
Scorecard
GET TO THE GREEN
Hole #8 • Par 4
Player:
Directions: Circle “Yes” or “No” for each question.
And don’t be too easy on yourself. Be as truthful as you can.
Do you tend to take shortcuts or cut corners at work?
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YES |
NO |
When there is a problem at work, do you carefully consider all of the risks involved in the decisions and actions you are contemplating?
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YES |
NO |
Do you take enough time to deal with work problems?
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YES |
NO |
Is your approach to solving problems to first identify the root cause(s) and then to take corrective action?
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YES |
NO |
Scoring key on back
GET TO THE GREEN
Hole #8 • Par 4
Player:
Directions: Record your “score” for each question in the space provided.
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Do you try to take shortcuts or cut corners at work?* |
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YES = 2 strokes |
NO = 1 stroke |
SCORE |
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When there is a problem at work, do you carefully consider all of the risks involved in the decisions and actions you are contemplating? |
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YES = 1 stroke |
NO = 2 strokes |
SCORE |
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Do you take enough time to deal with work problems? |
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YES = 1 stroke |
NO = 2 strokes |
SCORE |
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Is your approach to solving problems to first identify the root cause(s) and then to take corrective action? |
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YES = 1 stroke |
NO = 2 strokes |
SCORE |
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*If you answered “NO” to the first question, add an extra penalty stroke to your score. |
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* If you answered “YES,” take one (1) additional stroke off this hole. |
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TOTAL NUMBER OF STROKES |
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