In the past few weeks many of us have been entertained by some excellent golf including The Masters and the RBC Heritage. When I watch, I am most impressed by the way the accomplished golfers “manage” the golf course. Collaborating with their caddies they have a vision and strategy for navigating each hole.
Begin with the End in Mind
I think most golfers would agree that the way to approach a golf hole
is consistent with one of Dr. Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. “Begin with the end in mind” Good golfers know the ideal place on the green where they want to putt based on a given day’s hole location. Knowing where they want the ball to end up, they think about the best angle and distance for their approach shot. Hoping to take that particular shot, then they can choose the club and type of shot they want to hit when they tee off. One shot leads to another, leads to another. The putt goes in the hole. It all starts by envisioning that last stroke.
Ask the Questions; Imagine the Future
In his book Ask More, Frank Sesno suggests that when we create a vision for a project, a company, a school or ourselves, we should ask the questions that will help us understand our mission, our ultimate goal or destination. We should ask questions like: “Where are we going? What do we want the future to look like? Where do we want the golf ball to land?” He recommends that we brainstorm and “think outside the box”.
Sesno suggests that we ask the questions that will allow us to imagine a future that we are not yet expecting. We should put aside our usual manner of thinking and imagine a future that stretches our goals. For example, we might ask, “How many students do we want to graduate every year?” In response we could imagine a future when no students drop out and every student gets a diploma. If we can imagine such a future and commit to it; then we can ask the questions and find the answers that will lead us there.
If we imagine the best putt being from a specific location on the green; we can imagine the previous shots it will take to put us in the position to succeed. If we imagine that all students in the district will graduate on time, then we can imagine the “shots” we need to take from the beginning to reach that objective. More specifically, in our ambitious strategy, we can ask, how do dads support that vision – from pre-school to twelfth grade? On a golf course each hole requires unique decisions and support; and you must play them all. In school each grade also requires unique decisions and support and you must complete them all, too. Each one leads to the next. Every student. Every day.
Have you thought about it?
Have you thought about a vision that includes success for all the students in our district?
Have you imagined a vision beyond our past expectations? While we bring value when we spend time directing traffic in car line or supervising field day; are we keeping our eyes on the longer-term vision? At Be There Dad our vision is that EVERY kid will feel the power of presence. Isn’t that consistent with a goal like a 100% graduation rate?
Caddies and Dads
If you watch professional golf closely, you understand that the caddie often makes a significant contribution. The caddie has scouted and often played the course before. Prior to the round, he has walked the hole to understand the yardage and the potential hazards. In his relationship with the golfer, he understands his strengths and weaknesses. He understands the golfer’s attitude and demeanor. Armed with all that, he makes suggestions about strategy, placement and club selection. While the execution is up to the player, advice and encouragement added by the caddie can make a big difference. Like caddies, dads carry bags full of tools, experience and encouragement that they can share. Have you noticed that every player has a caddie?
Thinking about the Future?
In the beginning, we ask potential Be There Dads to develop a plan for raising their own children. For many, it is the first time they have been asked to do so. Today, beyond the positive impact of our current dads groups, I am suggesting we develop an even broader plan. I encourage us to think about the future for ALL our students. I encourage us to envision a path for all the kids in each school. I challenge us to envision a future where all students graduate. What if all dads had that same vision? What if we all believed we could “make that putt”? Can we see ourselves as part of making that vision come true?
What if we all answered the question, “What would we do if we knew we would not fail?”
In the next few weeks, many dads and men’s groups will come together to plot a strategy for the next school year. As we come together, perhaps we should try to imagine a future beyond our past notions. Some have called that process setting a BHAG – a Big Hairy Audacious Goal. I wonder if dads could do that together? I wonder if we just ask the right questions and commit to finding the answers, we can help the children do more? Fulfill their purpose and potential. Can we create a narrative about a new level of success?
I know this much. In our bags, every dad carries something called presence. Like golf clubs it comes in many shapes and sizes. Selecting the right one at the right time, it can be a powerful tool when we share it with our children.
The future ain’t what it used to be. – Yogi Berra
