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What we can learn from Jordan Spieth

golf-1073465_960_720Millions watched the Masters golf tournament last weekend and witnessed one of the greatest meltdowns in the tournament’s history. It was gut-wrenching. 

Jordan Spieth, a 22-year-old phenom who has electrified the sports world, took a quadruple bogey (for you non-golfers, that’s a REALLY bad score) on the course’s shortest hole. Golf fans were stunned because Spieth was on track to win his second Masters in a row.

So what will Spieth learn from this – and what can we learn? That actions taken under pressure without strategy can have devastating results. Spieth made an average swing on the 12th hole and then was unlucky when his ball bounced into the creek by the green. Okay, he can collect himself, recover and still win.

Instead he and his caddy made a bad decision, choosing a tough angle to hit his next shot. Then Spieth made a bad swing, followed by another bad swing and eventually walked away from the hole shell-shocked. Englishman Danny Willett ultimately won the tournament. 

Spieth let his emotions get the best of him, causing him to make poor decisions and poor swings. He needed to take more time and re-group. Top performers – whether it’s in golf, business, PR or whatever – will make mistakes. The key is getting back on track as quickly as possible by making smart, strategic decisions.

So the next time you, or your client, need a great recovery… remember to take a deep breath and find the smartest, quickest way back to the short grass!