| On September 4, 2006, Tiger Woods won his fifth | | | | What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently" |
| straight golf tournament. Just two weeks earlier, he | | | | by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman.) This is an |
| won his twelfth major golf title, the PGA | | | | excellent strategy if you have team members with |
| Championship. Both are amazing accomplishments for | | | | complimentary talents at your disposal and you are |
| someone who's only 30. Some say that his current | | | | comfortable delegating those areas of your business |
| domination of the sport means he has nothing to | | | | where you don't shine. |
| fear and that his career has nowhere to go but up. | | | | But what if your weakness is essential to the survival |
| How would you like to be at the top of your game | | | | of your business? Not only that, what if your active |
| and the undisputed leader in your industry? | | | | participation is non-negotiable? After all, it's not as if |
| You would think that Woods could afford to coast a | | | | Woods can simply rely on his skills down the driving |
| little bit and simply maintain his position. As the saying | | | | range and opt out of putting altogether. |
| goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," right? | | | | So what's the solution? |
| Wrong. | | | | First, CHOOSE to do whatever it takes to master |
| If you ask any expert, and even Tiger himself, to | | | | the key to succeeding in your business. Next, use the |
| identify his greatest weakness, they will undoubtedly | | | | following 4 steps to help you minimize your risks: |
| tell you it's his putting. Although he currently ranks #1 | | | | "The 4 Keys to Conquering Your Weakness" |
| overall in the Official World Golf Ranking, for putting | | | | 1. Identify Your Achilles' Heel: You probably already |
| he lags far behind at #38. | | | | have a nagging suspicion of where you could use |
| Let me tell you a story. | | | | some improvement. Write it down. And by the way, |
| Just before beginning the final round of the PGA | | | | you're not alone if you discover that your weakness |
| Championship, Woods placed two golf tees about 13 | | | | lies in the areas of effective networking, customer |
| centimeters apart, nearly one meter away from the | | | | follow-up, prospecting, or cold calling! |
| hole on the putting green. He then began practicing | | | | 2. Don't Reinvent the Wheel: Look for and consult |
| putts by swinging the blade of his putter through the | | | | with others who struggled with and overcame similar |
| tees to hit the ball into the hole. He usually performs | | | | challenges. Chances are there are multiple books, |
| this drill until he makes 100 consecutive shots. | | | | programs, and solutions out there that someone else |
| Read that again...100 consecutive shots. | | | | has created. You can slash the learning curve if you |
| Because Woods knows that he is vulnerable on the | | | | find the one that fits you best. |
| putting green, he makes it a priority to find a way to | | | | 3. Practice Makes Perfect: Just like Woods, devise a |
| master the art of putting. He is not interested in | | | | drill or system that allows you to develop good habits |
| making excuses or simply maintaining his skill level. He | | | | and dedicate yourself to an unwavering determination |
| constantly strives for improvement. | | | | to get the job done. After a while, it becomes a |
| How does this apply to you and your business? | | | | sheer numbers game. The more you practice, the |
| Let's face it. You probably have an Achilles' heel, | | | | better you get until you wake up one day and realize |
| some particular area of business that you avoid | | | | that your execution is effortless. |
| because you either lack confidence and/or | | | | 4. Take Your Ego Out of It: It's not really about |
| proficiency. And yet you suspect having expertise in | | | | you...it's about your business. You'll probably be lousy |
| that area would skyrocket the growth of your | | | | at first. It will feel uncomfortable and you'll make |
| business. | | | | mistakes. That's a given. Keep your eye on the big |
| There's a school of thought in management that you | | | | picture and get comfortable with discomfort. It's a |
| should focus on a person's strengths and minimize his | | | | short term pain that will yield long term rewards. |
| weaknesses. (Check out, "First Break All the Rules: | | | | |