Confidence in Work and Golf

I read an awesome article in Fortune.com giving career advice to working women by Diana Middleton. As in golf, most of the time women are the minority in business and especially at a board room table. This can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be.

The article shares that often times in business women are more focused on their level of competence rather than their level of confidence. Confidence is a key to success! Competence is also important but men will often advance in a company or get their ideas heard because of they exude confidence. Many women who are fully competent may still appear lacking in belief.

Here is some advice from Diana's article, "If you find yourself in such a situation, but are feeling insecure, it can be difficult to act confidently. One way to find courage is to utilize confident body language. Leaning back in your chair and taking up space in the room display a sense of self-assuredness. Speaking with authority in a calm voice is another sign."

Body language is a key to success on the golf course as well. As you approach the tee keep your chest out, chin up and shoulders back. When you are waiting to hit your shot stand in a "Wonder Woman" pose.

Sometimes you need confidence just to say yes to an invitation to play golf as an informal networking opportunity. Stand tall and give an authoritative, "Yes!" to playing golf. Too many women decline these opportunities because they don't feel like they are good enough. The key is more confidence, not hitting more range balls! You can create that confidence with body language and positive thoughts.

The article concludes by saying, "The next time you're in a room filled with men, don't worry about having a fully formed idea before speaking. Just speak up—and with force. Having a passionate voice is more important than having no voice at all. Harness that passion confidently in your body language and speech. Take up space, embrace your confidence, keep calm, and lead." Show up confidently on the golf course as well!

Golf Positive! Live Positive!
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Stand and Take Action

Once you comprehend the words and meaning of The Star Spangled Banner, you'll want to stand!

By Debbie O'Connell

Owner and Founder Golf Positive

America is arguable the best country in the world. It is a country built on the beliefs and values of freedom, liberty, and equality. As a nation we have made tremendous progress over the last two-hundred and fifty years, however we still have more to do to instill the basic values of respect, kindness and acceptance for all. 

The story of our national anthem directly reflects the struggle to keep our independence and preserve our views and beliefs. The flag itself is a symbol of these virtues and represents honor and appreciation for those who died to defend it. 

For those who are not aware of the story behind the lyrics of our national anthem please take a few moments to view this video. 

Story Behind National Anthem 

While it is of utmost importance to highlight -through peaceful protests - our injustices with regards to race and inequality, it is deplorable to do this by disrespecting our flag, our nation and all who serve and have died for it. The professional athletes who choose to kneel should instead be standing arm and arm on and off the field to use their power and influence to eradicate social injustices (FSU football Travis Rudolph displays kindness by taking action). Their current form of protest is creating more divisiveness and what America needs more than anything right now is unity.

Perhaps instead the NFL could champion initiatives bringing together communities and police officers. They could design and develop game day forums in host cities. These forums could include breakout sessions with action items for leaders and members of both the police force and the community. After the forum the group could step onto the field arm and arm and stand proudly during the playing of our national anthem. Also the NFL could encourage everyone in the stadium to stand arm and arm as a statement of unity.

A quote from the attached video states “It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees.” It is time for NFL players and other athletes to stand up and take action. It is within their power - and ours - to make a difference. 

Say, "YES!" to Opportunities in Life

The email arrived from Nancy Henderson, LPGA Chief Teaching Officer and President of the LPGA Foundation, asking to set up a time to talk. I didn’t know what she wanted to talk about. At the time I was part of the selection process to be on the Golf Channel, so I thought it might be concerning that opportunity. It wasn’t.

On February 27, we had our call. Little did I know, the call was about something much greater then being on the Golf Channel, it was an opportunity to impact the lives of teenage girls in a positive life altering way. Nancy invited me to be the lead LPGA Professional on a new initiative through the Girls Golf Program, an LPGA Leadership Academy! She explained that the goal is to teach leadership skills through golf in a 2-day program. My answer was a resounding, “Yes!”

Our first meeting was set for a month later to begin to design the 2-day program. I was so excited to work with Nancy in creating this extraordinary program for teenage girls! She is an amazing leader and professional who I have admired and respected since meeting her in the early 1990’s.
We sat with a blank piece of paper and began. Nancy asked, “What are the qualities of a great leader?”

Under the leadership of Nancy, theLPGA Leadership Academy for teenage girls was created and initiated. The first Academy was held on August 9 & 10 at Glen Arbor Country Club. This 2-day program was designed to not only teach skills and strategies for leadership but also to shape and develop leadership behaviors in these young women. 

It was amazing to observe the quiet unsure teens who registered on the first day transform into confident, self assured leaders just two days later. The program included both indoor sessions and outdoor stations.

The indoor sessions taught the girls about personality traits, positive self talk, empowering words, body language, how to feel confident, changing limiting beliefs, formula for success, different types of leaders and so much more!

The sponsor of the Leadership Academy, AXA, brought in a panel of very accomplished and impressive female employees to share their success stories. It was very impactful for all of us to hear about their journeys.

One example of an outdoor station is the putting station. Each girl had a partner and one put on a blindfold. The person with the blindfold was not allowed to speak while her partner talked her through a putting challenge. Once that was complete, they would go to another hole where they both had to be quiet, still with one girl wearing a blindfold. The goal in this station was to teach the very important leadership skill of communication.

Other stations were designed to have the girls experience decision making, overcoming obstacles, self confidence, goal setting, analyzing the strategy and re-adjusting if needed and other valuable leadership characteristics. 

As Nancy Henderson says, “Leadership involves living in the state of possibility, making a commitment to a vision and moving that vision into action.” Through Nancy’s leadership, the vision of developing teenage girls into leaders through golf became a reality!
We are thrilled that AXA has committed to sponsoring four LPGA Leadership Academy’s in 2016! 

Be Positive - Live Positive - Golf Positive

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