Business Lessons of Ryder Cup Loss

Think of the Ryder Cup teams as business organizations and the captains as CEOs. Then, the US loss can be explained in strategic terms as a failure of leadership, mission and vision, and team focus.

The sportswriters are using the typical catchphrases to describe the meltdown at Medinah: “it goes to show it’s not over until it’s over,” “the Americans failed to step up to the plate,” “the Europeans played lights out,” “the captain made lousy picks,” “one superstar failed to bring home a full point.”

At best those are obvious facts, but they are not explanations. Furthermore, if we fail to move beyond this simplistic analysis, very little business insight can be gained from this experience

Let me make one point clear. This author’s opinion comes from someone who is new to the passion of golf, but has more than a quarter-century of experience in studying business dynamics and running a business.

My golf skills qualify me for the nearest driving range. However, my experience in business allows me to see clearly how superiority in organization, leadership and camaraderie can easily trump an overwhelming lead out of the starting gate.

Here are the business lessons that can be learned from the US Ryder Cup loss, lessons that incidentally should be applied to how the US is stepping up to global competition.

The CEO Failure

•  The CEO of the European team led off each day’s competition with the most experienced, talented and tenacious member of his business organization.

•  Although the US team had an overwhelming lead, the CEO started off the final day’s competition with accomplished, enthusiastic neophytes who did what most exceptional rookies do under the weight of crushing competition from talented veterans – they wilted.

•  Two of the most experienced and tenacious European veterans were among the early starters of the  final days line up – even though as a pair they had failed to live up to expectations over the previous two days.

•  On the final day, the US CEO put the best match player and golfer in the history of the game at the end of the lineup. It was as if the CEO was hoping the outcome would not depend upon that person. The CEO was rewarded because it didn’t!

The Team Failure

•  When a US player won or loss a match, the impression from afar was that most attention was focused on the individual’s achievement or failure.

•  When a European won or loss a match, the team members focused exclusively on how much the action moved the team toward its mission.

• On the last day, when experienced European veterans won or loss their singles match; they hurried to support other, less accomplished, team members. They could provide this support because being placed at the front of the lineup meant they finished early.
•  When the US rookies who led off the final day of competition were defeated, it appeared from afar they walked around in a daze, licking their wounds – rather than rushing to support of their team members.  Of course, it is much easier for veterans to give psychological support to rookies than vice versa –another US strategic blunder.

The Failure of Mission and Vision

•  The European organization had a messianic mission, vision and passion, which consumed it throughout the competition.

•  In comparison, other than “winning one for the home team,” it’s not clear what the US mission and vision were.

 Conclusion

If one were scoring the US Ryder Cup performance as a business organization would be evaluated it is clear that its loss was attributable to a failure of leadership, mission and vision, and team focus.

One final thing. Bashing the best golfer in the world for failing to get a point may be satisfying to some sportswriters, but think about this. When that golfer was no longer able to contribute to the outcome, his eyes became swollen with tears. Had other US team members expressed the same passion, perhaps the outcome would have been different.