Leadership from the First Tee

The Introduction

Hi, I’m Jim Price.

Whenever I stood up to give a talk or had to introduce myself, this was always the first thing that came out of my mouth. An introduction and my name. I never thought it was safe to assume people knew who I was. Even in front of my own company, I never wanted people to guess.

When I saw others not introduce themselves, it never sat well with me. As years went on, I saw people at the company get better at it. I always believed that you should go into almost all situations assuming most people have no idea who you are and why they’re there. To never be safe to assume.

Consistency Builds Trust

I believe leadership is being consistent, and this was something I did consistently in almost every situation. It was a habit I began to form. I felt it broke down a barrier and quickly led me to be clear about who I was, then to why I was there, and most importantly, what I hoped to give to the audience or the conversation.

It was simple but it mattered.

The Golf Course Classroom

I was thinking the other day about why I formed this habit, and it dawned on me as I was looking back at some old photos. Many of them were of my dad and me on the golf course. As I looked through them, I recalled one tradition that we did every single time we played—something so simple I hadn’t thought about it in years. The introduction on the first tee.

My dad never really belonged to a golf club, but he loved golf. What I think he loved most about it wasn’t the game as much as it was the people he met playing it. Not the regulars, but the irregulars. The chance encounters that led to something unexpected.

Like the Japanese couple we played with in one morning. The gentleman hit the ball no longer than 25 yards each time. My dad taught him how to say “Bullshit.” Let’s just say we heard that word echoing across the fairways many times that day.

Most Saturday and Sunday mornings in the summer, my dad and I would find ourselves on a public golf course, but it was always just the two of us. I would wait each week in anticipation of what golf course we’d play together and when. I loved golf and I loved playing with my dad.

The two of us standing on the 18th fairway at St. Andrews after playing 18 when I was about 11 years old

The First Tee Introduction

Because there were only two of us, we always got paired with others. Golf is a game of etiquette, and as you know, it’s customary to introduce yourself on the first tee. I remember this as one of my first lessons in leadership from my dad. To be a leader meant you had to introduce yourself and shake the hand of a complete stranger.

For the next four to five hours, you spend time with these complete strangers, and it was my job to build a relationship. But the first thing I did was say, “Hi, I’m Jim Price.”

I remember my dad always hustling back to the cart and quickly writing the names of our playing partners on the golf scorecard. The introduction was your chance to make a first impression.

Making the First Move

As my life has gone on, I’ve typically felt comfortable in public settings. Going to a conference, a meeting, or even a dinner by myself was never a problem for me. My first inclination, if I needed to, was to just go up to someone and say, “Hi, I’m Jim Price,” and shake their hand.

I never thought much about it and why I was always okay doing this. Then it dawned on me—it was the leadership lesson my dad taught me those so many years on the golf course.

Leadership is usually about making the first move. Feeling comfortable in what other people might think are uncomfortable situations. Being confident in yourself and never assuming you are better than others. You are just you, and you never assume people know who you are.

Never assume, always be clear, always be consistent, and think back—what were some of the lessons you might have learned from growing up that have made you the person you are today?

Thanks Dad. Love ya.

Jim

Pictured below what will likely be our last round of golf together at his favorite golf course of all time. Muirfield Village CC in Columbus, OH. He once played there and birdied the first three holes then had a 12 on the par 3 fourth! One of his favorite golf stories.