#34: Part 1: Fred Ridley, Augusta National Golf Club Chairman—Preserve Tradition and Drive Innovation

Today’s guest is Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, and the man behind the Masters.

Fred has so much love and respect for the game of golf, and he’s quite a player himself – he won the 1975 US Amateur and competed in a few Masters tournaments.

But after a successful career as a commercial lawyer and overseeing the Masters Championship Committee for ten years, Fred took over as Chairman in 2017. It’s never easy to step into a high-profile role, especially when it comes with the responsibility of a legendary brand and event like the Masters.

But he’s up for the challenge, leading with a smart eye for detail and a big heart for people. And he’s shaping an incredible vision for the future of Augusta National while upholding the history and tradition that makes it so special.

You’re going to learn so much about how he balances those two things – and how every decision he makes is really all about the people around him, not just the processes of the organization. 

In part one of this two-part conversation, you’ll learn: 

• The mentality that helped Fred become the surprise champion of the 1975 US Amateur
• What Fred learned about leadership after a controversial ruling involving Tiger Woods
• The inspiring story behind launching the Augusta National Women’s Amateur (and how it can inspire you to launch a new initiative)
• One key trait of any worthwhile community involvement effort

Take your learning further. Get proven leadership advice from these (free!) resources:

The How Leaders Lead App: A vast library of 90-second leadership lessons to stay sharp on the go 

Daily Insight Emails: One small (but powerful!) leadership principle to focus on each day

Whichever you choose, you can be sure you’ll get the trusted leadership advice you need to advance your career, develop your team, and grow your business.