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The other thing that impressed me about Tom Watson was his tremendous dignity. It was clear that he was was terribly disappointed by losing and by playing so badly in the play-off but he still kept his composure, talked politely to the press, joked with the galleries about his wayward shots and refused to blame the course or conditions. A true champion.

Posted by Mark JF at July 20, 2009 2:49 PM

Mike – I think Tom Watson is as popular among we mere mortal amateur golfers (and golf fans) over here as he is in the US. He is just brilliant - a sporting icon; a real gentleman; a credit to sport and a credit to the US. I had real mixed feelings in that last round on Sunday. As a fellow baby boomer I desperately wanted Tom to make history whilst I also hoped Lee Westwood might do it for England. I found myself in the end feeling a bit sorry for Stewart Cink who displayed terrific sportsmanship and dignity because it was so obvious that the vast majority of the gallery were rooting for the great Tom in the play off which was a great anti climax.

Actually Mike I love using sport in my work in classroom and talks. I think business can learn an awful lot from sport. If we look at people like Tom Watson, Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods on your side of the pond and people such as Alex Ferguson, Bobby Charlton and Nick Faldo on this side of the water, I suggest there are few better examples of sustained integrity, excellence, focus and sheer hard work. I suggest these sporting legends (and many more from other parts of the world) are inspirational role models that any manager/leader in business would do well to aspire to.

Posted by Trevor Gay at July 20, 2009 3:21 PM

Do we ever think in terms of women being Baby Boomers? We think of Bill Clinton as a Baby Boomer. But do we ever think of Hillary Clinton as such? Yes, I know the period embraces a certain time period and this period and every period before it is dominated by the progress of men. Even in most of the posts and discussions here women are rarely, if ever, mentioned as Boomers. I'm just wondering. Have you ever wondered?

With regards to Watson, I did not watch the British Open. But if what is said here is true, he is indeed a great role model. When I read the post I imagined that there would soon be a lot fo white men responding and reminiscing of the past glory days that included love, sex, rock and roll, independence and freedom. (Are people of color of that generation thought of as Boomers? The term Boomer in a large sense seems like a signifier.) The twist in the post is nice since Watson does not seem to be like many of this generation that seem to have fallen short of the Great Generation on ethics, morals and decency and into greed. We have become the Great Debt Generation.

I was watching Buzz Aldrin on C-Span yesterday morning talking about his landing on the moon and I was just in awe at his intelligence, grace, strength, youthfulness, and timeliness. He even spoke of tweeting rather effortlessly and his valuable collaboration with Snoop Dogg. (Yeah, I said Snoop Dogg!) This seventy-nine year-old is really with it and carries a dignity that is so embraceable. From what is written here, it seems like Watson has dignity and grace too. This is great.

Posted by Judith Ellis at July 20, 2009 4:30 PM

Oh, and thanks, Mike, for the post. I appreciate it very much.

Posted by Judith Ellis at July 20, 2009 4:38 PM

Definitely being middle aged and older does not mean we are ready for the rocking chair. There are three consistent factors of success whether it is people who have been around for awhile or companies. One as was mention is a passion for excellence, another is adaptability and one more is remembering the mission. Great performers learn to do things differently when it is necessary. What was the best practice in the past changes because entities like companies change and the environment changes. Those who endure understand the task. People and companies all too often fail when they focus on factors not relevant to the work. Companies and people at times focus on creating an image or making a dollar rather then striving for excellence in their field. It is always an inspiration to see people like Tom Watson maintain a hunger for personal perfection.

Posted by Alex Dail at July 20, 2009 5:05 PM

Good post Mike. I had the good fortune of watching Mr. Watson at Colonial (Fort Worth) way back when while a teenager. He always came off as cool and classy. I've always been a fan and his modeling for us all is consistent with other periods in his career. This definitely breathes life into the boomers of today, and younger folk.

Moving another direction, it appears that Obama is beginning to slide in some important "popularity" polls with American people. Foreclosures were up 15%, I believe, last month; even though the stimulus bills were signed to keep Americans in their homes, at least that's what I thought. How about them bank profits?!?!?

Human nature is interesting to say the least. Tiger doesn't qualify for the Open and people begin to anticipate the beginnings of an end. The guy just had an off day...and Mr. Watson was going to show Americans that anything is possible, including moonwalking. Sorry to hear about the unemployed and underemployed in Michigan. Real shame that we're in a bunker right now (like Nicklaus at the Open a few years back). You can hit the ball as hard as you can (want) and it doesn't seem to go anywhere right now. Keep swingin'.

Posted by The Joker at July 20, 2009 5:07 PM

His performance was amazing to me not only as proof that baby-boomers have "still got it," but the fact that he had that hip replacement about a year ago. That made him THE winner in my view, as this should serve as encouragement to folks having hip, knee, and other surgeries that they can rehabilitate and accomplish as much as they feel driven to.

Posted by Dan Gunter at July 20, 2009 5:10 PM

Nouriel Roubini said today on CNBC that while we may not be out of the woods, the worse. Some things have been prevented. "There has been a slowdown on the rate of contraction. We're close to the bottom...We're not going to have a free fall anymore." Without the stimulus it could have been worse.

From what I gather it would have been by far worse without the stimulus. Cities would be in far worse shape with layoffs in schools, fire houses, and on police beats. Crime is already up in Detroit. I will concede, however, that perhaps the stimulus has not been rolled out as well as it might have been.

Our expectations need managing. Recovery will be slow. To expect a quick turn around in the economy considering the near complete collapse of the global economy is ludicrous. Roubini says that the administration wants to give time for the stimulus to work and thinks that we will need another stimulus by the end of the year.

"The recovery is going to be subpar. I see a one percent growth in the economy in the next few years. There will also be 11 percent unemployment next year and the recovery is going to be slow. It's going to feel like a recession even when it ends."

Banks seem to have created a nice profit margin, having done nothing. If you could get a loan at a low interest rate from the government, while not adjusting the loans of millions of Americans wouldn't that produce a pretty good profit margin?

Posted by Judith Ellis at July 20, 2009 10:41 PM

I have always thought of Hillary as a baby boomer -
to me, its obvious that she is one and it is exactly what made her so obnoxoius when she was running for the primary.
Not being a baby boomer is one of the reasons why both Obama and his wife are not obnoxoius.
Liberal baby boomers in national politics are usually quite obnoxoius.
At least that is how I see it.

Its what did Al Gore and John Kerry in.

Posted by zorro at July 20, 2009 11:04 PM

Interesting take, Zorro. Obnoxious is such an ambiguous term that does not point to a signifier at all. Is this your greater point? For me, when baby boomers are spoken or written of in business or politics they signify a class of people that are distinguished not merely by age and era but by gender, race, and class. I am not a baby boomer and my Gen X group seems less shaped by such. The Obama's are technically baby boomers but is it their age that distinguishes this? Perhaps experiences do.

I doubt if the obnoxious label fits wholly. Labels typically don't. Signifiers may be tantamount to the same thing but are often not labeled, perhaps making them more insidious. I do not mean to suggest by any means that the term baby boomer is itself insidious. But I do wonder about the images that are evoked when such terms are used and how broadly the attributes of such are widely determined. Let's compare this to this Great Generation.

There are undoubtedly boomers of all ages depending on where they fall within this category and where they were born that do not see themselves as the signified baby boomer in the very least. So, when we say baby boomer what are we talking about? A group of hippy typically white males that later became heads of corporations and heads of state? Within each group there are subgroups. Within each corporation there are also such groups.

There are undoubtedly many subgroups that are not signifiers who if given a voice may be able to make what has been a negative a positive, sort of like those non Wall Street bankers and executives of credit unions who make a difference instead of our relentless concentration of the same old same old that bring us to the same old place over and over again. Perhaps we need new signifiers. But more importantly we need the real thing: new ideas no matter from where they come across the board.

Posted by Judith Ellis at July 21, 2009 1:13 AM

Why do we worry about terms like baby boomer, Gen X, men, women, banker, front liner, naif etc? Aren't we all people and shouldn't we be judged by what we each say and do rather than by our appearance?

Posted by Mark JF at July 21, 2009 3:07 AM

"And you won't see a lot of sports talk on this blog." Huh? TP mentioning the Boston Red Sox every chance he gets is not sports talk? I vision Tom on the Kubota with that darn Red Sox cap on as I type now.

I do not think we can generalize Tom Watson's performance as some Baby Boomer doing well. I agree with others, no need to use the term here. It would have been one of the greatest sports achievements of all time. It still is actually. It applies to the youngest and oldest people alike. It is a life story. It is a lesson. Plus, the guy is so humble and modest. And you know he isn't pumped up full of drugs and such giving him super human powers. He accepted defeat with grace. So many life lessons in a simple golf match. Amazing.

Posted by JJS Taiwan at July 21, 2009 4:05 AM

Thanks all...I certainly did not intend to make this a debate over generations. I guess my point was lost on many of you. What I was suggesting is that there are many of us of Tom Watson's age that are leading organizations, and to be quite frank, I think if you have to score it, as a generation we performed poorly. I don't think it can be argued that in so many arenas, US businesses have given up considerable ground in the world market. I was, and am, hoping that Tom's performance in the British might inspire people my age to rededicate themselves and try to turn around the mess we have left to the next generation. By the way, since you all want to get political on this business blog, I would say my generation hasn't perfprmed well there either. Of course there are exceptions, so no need to list them for me. I look for any opportunity to issue a call for action to my peers. If I can cite a member of our generation beating the odds, I will. Thanks

Posted by mike Neiss at July 21, 2009 6:19 AM

Mike, your point was not lost in your post. Kicked aside a bit (I'm sure you've noticed it happens with Tom's messages all the time) but I agree with you. Not just for the baby boomers, though. Every "generation" has its failures. Perhaps we are our own worst critics. The real question is do we say "Oh, well. Too late. Damage done. Let the newcomers fix it." Or do we say "We're still living and breathing, and so we should be DOING -- more wisely."

Posted by Dan Gunter at July 21, 2009 7:01 AM

Come on Mike! When does addressing the point ever restrict people's propensity to comment? I'm not a golf fan but I caught the last three holes on Sunday, and was then glued to the TV for the four hole play off. I thought both men were a huge credit to their very different US generations, and I loved seeing a near 60 year old live with and outperform most of the current generation of championship standard golfers. As for influencing the future of businesses, the challenge for those of us who want to be players and whose age is closer to Tom Watson's than Stewart Cink's is to show we can live with and outperform the best of the current generation of managers. If not, it's the seniors tour for us.

Posted by Richard King at July 21, 2009 7:15 AM

Thanks Dan...and of course every generation has their thing. I have been talking to a lot of folks my age who are executives, many in the auto industry, and some of the conversation has been around what our collective legacy will be. They called the generation of our parents, "The Greatest Generation". I am passionate about riling up my old compadres before my generation earns a less generous descriptor. My reference to Mr Watson was only to make the point it is never too late if you dedicate yourself to excellence.

Posted by mike Neiss at July 21, 2009 7:20 AM

Well said Rick. And you know, I always respect the wisdom of my elders :)

Posted by mike Neiss at July 21, 2009 7:33 AM

Based on my extensive experience on the green - caddying as a teenager and miniature golfing in the 70s - I was singularly impressed with TW's overall performance. I can only hope I'm in such good shape when I'm that old.

Posted by John O'Leary at July 21, 2009 8:33 AM

Oh I am certain you will be John...what do you say to a buck a hole in miniature golf next time I am out there? :) I will caddy.

Posted by mike Neiss at July 21, 2009 8:58 AM

I sure wouldn't place a bet against Tom Watson in a tournament! And I won't place a bet against the abilities of ANY generation to leave a positive legacy. There are good apples and bad apples in every barrel, so to speak. I dare not generalize the capabilities of a generation based on a few examples. No corporation, government, or anything else HAS to be led by the worst of a generation. It's time to take the blinders off and start looking around for ideas and examples of Excellence. That goes for GM, our government, everything.

Regardless of our age, what generation we were born in, race, sex, nationality of origin, anything, there are solutions out there. They're available to any of us. It's way past time to start finding and/or devising and implementing them. "The way things are" is something 100% of us have to live with today, not just a segment of us. The problems are OUR problems. We're all in this mess together. We either rise above it together, or we crash and burn together.

I've never seen an ejection seat with "RESERVED" painted on it.

Posted by Dan Gunter at July 21, 2009 9:06 AM

"Why do we worry about terms like baby boomer, Gen X, men, women, banker, front liner, naif etc? Aren't we all people and shouldn't we be judged by what we each say and do rather than by our appearance?"

Mark - This is probably one of the most naive comments that I have read in a very long time from someone whose comments I usually respect. But I'm cool with you. The interesting thing, however, is that such statements are rarely if ever made by others except by white men. It usually has something to do with positioning and the privilege of such. And I’m not hating. Please trust me on this.

Appearance has precisely been the ticket. If appearance had not been the gateway for progress and forward movement for many there would be absolutely no reason to ever address it. Unfortunately it has and remains currently to this day, in spite of the election of Barack Obama.

I just read online moments ago about the arrest of the esteemed Harvard Professor, Henry Louis Gates Jr., for breaking into his own home after a neighbor reported two black men with backpacks pressing on HIS door. He had just returned from China.

Richard's astute comment looks back and forward from where he currently is. It is this kind of thought process that interests me because it honestly propels us to look at our errors in performance where we are if we are going to make future marks. Thank you, Richard, There is also something else about the comment that really interested me.

The place from which Richard spoke seems to be from one who has been at the table, who considers his position in moving forward from within an organization; he probably is one who has a certain positioning. He’s probably a white male baby boomer. What struck me while reading the post were the voices that would speak from outside of this place about their experiences, perhaps those with a different perspective. While we are all fundamentally the same, perspective matters on the golf course or in the office.

Mike - Your point in the post was not lost on me. You have written it well and it is rather easily understood. But there are always expansions of any thought and if we are going to move forward as a nation and in business the consideration of the thoughts of others, beyond our understanding or position, is paramount. Would you have preferred that I continued along your same vein and assume your tone and posture in doing so?

It's great that you are "riling up" your compadres. (My point here too was who might these be? And perhaps there are others who need only step forward. Most are probably doing a great job.) But usually the thoughts of others from outside are usually what changes situations. Surely you understand this. As I said, I appreciate this post very much; it's inspiring.
It is well written and I personally do not think that it needs further explanation.

What I do find equally as interesting is the seemingly desire to narrow the topic on a blog when it had not strayed terribly far but rather tried to expand understanding or interject another perspective. Is this what happens in corporate offices everywhere?

Golf, Mr. Watson, Baby Boomers….a perfect scenario to develop a white male club. Okay, I know how that reads. But as I said I very much appreciate the words and spirit of the post. One of my dearest friends, Anna McCoy, drives the ball harder than any male and usually has a better handicap too.

Anna and her husband, Richmond, are AVID golfers and are the very successful founders of Urban America, LLC., a registered invest advisor yielding over $4 billion dollars in deals to date. I would have to ask them if they consider themselves baby boomers from a signification standpoint. They may. But they are within. I'm more interested in voices from without.

Posted by Judith Ellis at July 21, 2009 9:35 AM

Dan - I refuse to have a phantom discussion with you here. I appreciate these words: "No corporation, government, or anything else HAS to be led by the worst of a generation." Thank you.

Posted by Judith Ellis at July 21, 2009 9:38 AM

Judith - of course my comment was naive and I do trust that you're not hating. The easiest thing would be to respond by saying yours was typical of a certain type of person or it betrayed a massive chip on your shoulder. But ask yourself this: as an objective, would you rather live in the world I describe or one where you feel obliged to respond as you did? And then, which approach is more likely to get us there?

Posted by Mark JF at July 21, 2009 1:01 PM

LOL, Mark! I literally laughed aloud reading your comment. I feel you. The reality is that there is no chip whatsoever. I think, however, that often when a certain angle is presented the notion of an angry woman or one that has a chip is therefore the next assumption. With regards to approaches, there are very few approaches that call for speaking or doing from the sidelines that have ever made a change, whether it was a peaceful revolution or one of arms.

We need a revolution of the mind.

Whether the Revolutionary War, the Suffragette Movement, or the Civil Rights Movement, truth as one sees it has to be spoken openly and considered widely if we are actually going to change and look at ourselves honestly. The chip to which you think exists is, in fact, a sheer determination not to rest until I see change. Speaking of easy, it is far too easy to sit back and listen to the same old same old said in various ways, allowing for feelings of being mates, while nothing changes. I'm sick of these cycles, straight up sick of them.

I must also close with a cliche: Some of my best friends are powerful white males. :-) True that.

Posted by Judith Ellis at July 21, 2009 1:33 PM

One other comment, Mark. The world can be quite a delusionary place. We delude ourselves into thinking that massive debt is OK. We delude ourselves into thinking that we can outsource everything and still have jobs and income to buy goods. We delude ourselves into thinking that we can break down every moral and ethical standard and call it freedom and expect that our kids will have strength and fortitude to build a better world. We delude ourselves into thinking that we can cheat one another and it's OK. We delude ourselves into thinking that we can undermine the Constitution for certain necessary purposes and call it a righteous fight. If this is the kind of world that you would prefer to live in where delusions abound because the lack of the People to challenge them outrightly and even forcefully, well, that's an increasingly unhealthy world. I'd rather have a direct challenge any day of the week than soft words that maintain the status quo, a delusion of peace--then comes sudden destruction.

Posted by Judith Ellis at July 21, 2009 3:13 PM

Judith - you know what I like best about you? You're always right!

Posted by Mark JF at July 22, 2009 2:10 AM

I am with Mark (although I don't disagee with other comments)

the whole concept of baby boomer or any other generation name is one that I find completely meaningless (in fact I am not entirely sure what the definitions of these terms are!). I didn't think of Hillary C as a baby boomer but then I didn't think of Bill as a baby boomer either - the concept never crossed my mind until I read this.

Sure I admire people who have shown a great deal of craftsmanship over a long period. And I admire people who win out against the odds (I love an underdog) but I don't get the age thing.

Posted by PaulH at July 22, 2009 5:20 AM

Mark - Did I ever say that you were wrong? Have I ever expressed that I am right? Why have you made a divide of a discussion? For me, these discussions here are NEVER EVER about right and wrong. BUT they are about heartfelt fervor in expression. Even if I strongly disagree with any comment it is ALWAYS and FOREVER about passionate expression and opinion. I wholly accept this. If you have to hear me say that you are right and I am wrong or that I am right and you are wrong you may never get it.

I pray, however, that I will always admit to wrong and humble myself when I have errored or when someone else has given me enlightenment in any area. This I desire even more than the expression of my own opinions; otherwise, there is no growth. I often express when others have enlightened me or when I have errored. I will continue to do so. This I cultivate intentionally. But if you would like for my means of expression or way of thinking to change, your desire will probably remain unfulfilled.

brand viagra on sale in canada Let me repeat: These exchanges for me are NEVER EVER about right or wrong but about discussion, even when they are feverently rendered. By the way, Mark, I typically appreciate your words here and often say so.

Posted by Judith Ellis at July 22, 2009 8:20 AM

Categories are structures and often include useful boundaries for our understanding. We can't grasp everything fully and without limits all at the same time. Time frames allow for sysnthesis, a conscensus of sorts. We seem to need structure and organization even if only for the purpose of moving beyond them. But the challenge as I see it is not to become limited by them or not to acknowledge them. Age, gender, and race all matter because they are indicators of differences, even if only cultural or biological ones. I see clearly the point as it relates to age with Mr. Watson. It's inspiring as it's representative of no boundaries within the structure of discipline and hard work. Some have also asked, however, if golf is even a sport and not being such would not need the physicality needed as a sprinter, for example, might need. But that is perhaps another discussion.

Posted by Judith Ellis at July 22, 2009 9:23 AM

Tend to agree with both Mark and Paul re-Baby Boomers. "If you are good enough you are young enough (or old enough)" to coin a football (soccer) phrase :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at July 22, 2009 5:33 PM

OK...I can't help but get sucked in to the not so much about business discussion. I am not sure golf is truly a sport, but as far as athleticism, Sports Illustrated years ago tested athletes to find the most fit...and the winner? Nick Faldo..a golfer, beating track and field olympians, football players, basketball players, swimmers etc..perhaps an anomaly (Faldo was a near championship level cyclist), but I would take Tiger in an arm wrestling match with Allen Iverson.

Posted by mike Neiss at July 22, 2009 8:19 PM

"I am not sure golf is truly a sport, but....".....Geeze Mike! That hurt every golfer. Trevor, I would truly love to see how this comment would go over in some pubs (after a few pints) near the birthplace of golf! Nicely said by the way (If you are good enough you are young enough). Friend of my parents could shoot his age in golf (more than once). A rare feat for an amateur. He was a super athlete (now dead). Like Tom Watson said, both his parents were very flexible well into their 70s. Maybe good business leaders have the right genes as well!! :)

Posted by JJS Taiwan at July 23, 2009 10:29 AM

"I am not sure golf is truly a sport, but....".

Mike - you have to be kidding just to wind us amateur golfers up.

As JJS says you must not visit the home of golf in Scotland Mike and utter such words. Indeed anywhere, in any pub in Britain you will end up in an argument for saying that. And yes as JJS hints - after a few pints you will probably get a bit more than just an argument. I’m just kidding of course Mike - we are actually becoming quite civilized really on this side of the pond.

Golf is DEFINITELY a sport. In fact I would say golf is far and away the most difficult of the dozen or so sports I can immediately think of that I’ve played at a competitive level.

By the way a quick message to my US friends …. If you’re seriously considering Baseball as a sport (we call it ‘Rounders’ over here by the way and its played mainly by girls) – then there is no question - golf is one helluva sport!! … I will now put on my helmet and armour and await the bricks!!!….. All said in fun of course :- )

Posted by Trevor Gay at July 23, 2009 1:14 PM

I am with Mark Twain on the subject of golf!

Posted by PaulH at July 23, 2009 1:16 PM

OK OK...Trevor, as my age goes up, so does my handicap. But I still sport a single digit handicap and do think it is both a game AND a sport. The same way some folks play basketball as a game and others view it as a sport. Camillo, Sergio, Tiger, definitely athletes. Craig Stadler, Colin, John Daly...maybe not. Walking and carrying your own bag..definitely sport. Riding in a cart in constant pursuit of the beverage cart...more a game. But I will give you this, my friends who think it is a game are the same ones who never broke one hundred! peace?

Posted by mike Neiss at July 23, 2009 6:55 PM

Peace always Mike – it’s my middle name :-)

Impressive that you have a single figure handicap – always been my ambition to break into single figures – got to 11 once - now 14 and rising. You raise a really interesting point about sport in general - that is the natural players with seemingly God given talent versus those who have to work harder to achieve greatness. Nick Faldo for instance probably achieved his success through sheer hard work, focus and determination whereas players like Lee Trevino, Seve Ballesteros, Ian Woosnam et al seem to possess a natural gift that was aided by hard work. Same in football (soccer) when we compare players like George Best and David Beckham – Best had phenomenal natural ability while Beckham is a real worker.

Fascinating discussion Mike – sorry to take us off down another cul de sac …

Posted by Trevor Gay at July 24, 2009 3:10 AM

Great comments on hard work and practice vs natural talent.

Of course the makers of equipment would have you believe you need to buy their clubs to be truly successful.......

Posted by PaulH at July 24, 2009 5:28 AM

Too right Paul! My clubs are 15 years old but the name on them never made me any better! :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at July 24, 2009 6:04 AM

Mike, do you recall seeing Robin Williams' HBO special back in about 2000 or so where he so poignantly described golf, including its Scottish origins? If you don't (or haven't seen it) it's hilarious. There's a clip of it on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcnFbCCgTo4

Posted by Dan Gunter at July 24, 2009 2:13 PM

I also like the comedian Tim Wilson's take on it.

"Golf ain't a sport. Anything a 78 year old man can beat me at is a damn game." He talks about an old man in the clubhouse bragging "I shot a 72 today" and says "Hell, I could shoot a 72, too, if I'd been playing the SAME course for 40 years... think I'd have this thing figured out by now."

Posted by Dan Gunter at July 24, 2009 2:16 PM

Trevor, have you ever read Peter Senge's "Fifth Discipline" materials? They talk about how instructors always want to teach the exact same motion and swing. As they point out, if you watch expert golfers, their swings can actually vary. What matters is the angle of the club face at impact with the ball, the follow-through, and the position of the arm. That's essentially all that really matters. But they all teach the same overall mechanics for one reason: it's easier to TEACH the same methods to every player/student. I mention this because of some of our other dialog. In business, we push for people to be genuine and develop their own styles, yet so often we see people who expect everyone to go through the same motions and act exactly the same way and think the same way. While some of that may be necessary to someone just getting started in business, at some point, they are beyond imitating the motions and must develop some skills and techniques of their own.

Just thought you might like to think on the golf teaching analogy, since golf seems to be the topic du jour.

P.S.: I avoid the game myself. Frustrates the bejeezus out of me.

Posted by Dan Gunter at July 24, 2009 2:24 PM

Great quote Dan...I will use it...other useful golf metaphor for business is the only time the golfer has complete control is at the address. How he/she grips the club, stands, places the club on the ground...all static..once you start the swing now dynamics come into play and virtually impossible to overcome a bad setup during the swing (why so many amateurs slice the ball) In business, it is having a firm foundation of mission, vision, values..etc...once you start executing usually too late to adequately adjust.

Posted by mike Neiss at July 24, 2009 3:04 PM

Dan - the best evidence I can think of why 'one style rote teaching' of a golf swing will NEVER work is to just watch my favorite player of all time Lee Trevino. His swing was technically 'all wrong' according to golf text books. And yet Lee was a master of maneuvering a golf ball in any direction he wanted .... Lee was perhaps the most unorthodox golfer ever in many ways but one of the most effective and entertaining.

Posted by Trevor Gay at July 24, 2009 6:45 PM

Just imagine if there had never been a systematic structure to education what a mess we would be in right now with every school picking and choosing what they deem important for children to learn? Let's see. If you can't count by the age of ten, barring developmental deficiencies, it's OK. You'll pick it up. It might have been a disservice to children that we did not go far enough with a system that taught kids the same things in every school system across America.

While I appreciate the system and era that, for example, allows my autistic niece to be mainstreamed--the 60's I'm assuming brought such--many things that this era brought with regards to "freedoms" to many have been quite destructive, not as in deconstruction to re-construction, but destructive from a more structured system replaced with a barrage of willy- nilly do what you want kind of a thing, that every single child learns differently crap.

While children may learn differently, we better have a structured system where every kid is learning the same thing and where wise and caring administrators, teachers and seniors who volunteer can give special attention to kids who need it. We are being destructive while other countries such as China are structured in a way in science and math that their children will leave ours in the dust with regards to innovation if we are not careful. We will not be able to compete—plain and simple. I’d like to see more of that same swing time and time again.

viagra for sales in india With regards to business, let's be real. There are not real vast differences in how a buck can be made. This is the incredibly disheartening thing about the financial industry, the expectation that they could/can produce products with such returns that had to have been known were bogus by the whole lot of them, is simply ridiculous. Nassim Nicholas Taleb has a brilliant polemic about knowledge and theory, "History Written by Losers" that addresses how we come to accept some things and disregard others and the detriment this brings. He distinguishes between practical application and theoretical knowledge.

Variance lies in the product and service, and to a large degree the era. Cool changes from generation to generation although it is recognized during and after the generation has passed.

Posted by Judith Ellis at July 26, 2009 5:51 AM

isn't just the Open...not the British Open

Posted by mark at July 27, 2009 10:10 AM

Yes Mark, of course you are correct..but you know us here across the pond...we have an open too! US Open...

Posted by mike Neiss at July 27, 2009 12:04 PM

I too was cheering for Tom to win - but as expected, he showed the talent, grace and determination to make us proud in spite of his narrow loss at the end. As a boomer, I'm proud of the work that we're still doing. AND, that we're even starting new and inspiring ventures that thrill us and benefit the world. With the progress of social responsibility - we all can find a place to play and contribute. Thanks!

Posted by Ann Ranson at August 1, 2009 10:32 AM