#167: Steve Stricker: Reflections on leading at the Ryder Cup and beyond

Steve Stricker is a great golfer – but also a smart, effective and well-regarded leader. He served as Captain of the United States Ryder Cup and President’s Cup teams. His success in those venue was no mistake – he was organized, prepared, and ready when leadership roles were presented. We enjoyed a conversation about leadership, paying specific attention to Steve’s captaincies.

1.        Growing up in Edgerton, WI playing baseball, basketball, and golf. The influences that coaches had on him. “Those coaches put together in that small community, it was a great childhood.”

2.        What he learned as an assistant captain in the President’s Cup and Ryder Cup. “I learned a lot what to do. And perhaps even more importantly, I learned what did not work.”

3.        Communication as a leader: Making sure everyone is on the same page. Facilitating partnerships.

4.        “I learned a lot. I took it all in as an assistant. And I jotted it all down – what worked and didn’t work.”

5.        Self-awareness. “I led the way I am. I didn’t try to become anybody different. I didn’t do anything outside of what I normally do or the person I am.”

6.        I went in with a simple approach. I went in trying to facilitate relationships, being the same person I am when I play the game. And listening to them – I think that was a key. Listening to what their feelings are, what their needs are … My theory was, if they are comfortable with the situation and they feel good about what was going on and there were no surprises, then that’s going to bring out the best golf in them.”

7.        Turning off the outside noise.

8.        Making decisions as the captain. What are the hardest decisions and what guided you? Using stats, assistant captains, and his own gut feeling. 

9.         Getting Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka aligned.

10.  When did “gut decisions” come into play?  Example of the Morikawa and Johnson pairing.

11.  Active listening. “You can tell by a guy’s voice or just his demeanor what excites him, what he’s ok with, and what he definitely doesn’t want to do.”

12.  Using questionnaires to better understand the players. Paul Azinger’s influence in getting players’ personalities to mesh.

13.  When you can’t give everyone what they want. Example of Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth wanting to play together.

14.  What did you do the night before the competition. Communicating early – making things clear days in advance: order, partners, format, etc. “They knew exactly what was going to happen.”

15.  Minimizing functions and “fluff” before events. “Whatever it takes for you to do well, go and do it…”

16.  Moving from “individual” to “team” perspective in Ryder Cup.

17.  How do you lead on the day of competition? “I stayed out of their way.”

18.  Differences between athletes across generations. “As a leader, you’ve got to adapt.”

19.  Communicating with other members of the golfer’s entourage.

20.  Learning from coaches in other sports.