Golf and the Game of Leadership: An 18-Hole Guide for Success in Business and in Life [Hardcover]

Donald E. McHugh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2004

Assuming you're not Tiger Woods or Annika Sorenstam, chances are your golf-playing (or watching) time is interrupted on a regular basis by the demands of your leadership roles. But the approach you use on the links translates surprisingly well to the office and the boardroom. "Golf and the Game of Leadership" shows how qualities like focus, consistency, seeing the big picture, and knowing when to be aggressive and when to lay up - all can be applied to the way you perform in the professional realm.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

McHugh, a former executive with General Motors and Owens-Illinois, believes that golf is a perfect analogy for the corporate boardroom game. By transferring the strategies that work on the course to the office, chances are one will be able to stand out as a leader. The best golfers are passionate about the game and are willing to put in hours of practice. Similarly, according to McHugh, effective leaders are zealous in their convictions that their behavior will motivate and help others to succeed as well. The chapters-for each of 18 holes of a round of golf-feature leadership principles such as "Focus," "Courage," "Responsibility" and "Recognize Positive Results." In each chapter, McHugh, also a retired U.S. Navy captain, offers numerous anecdotes about both golf and the business world. Unfortunately, the leadership lessons are hidden under too much information about the game. Even McHugh's concrete suggestions are often buried. For example, in the chapter on "Confidence," sketches about some 10 different golfers precede a terse three pages about a specific office dilemma. The sections on providing effective feedback and showing the ability to change offer some valuable advice. But the book's usefulness is undermined by an excess of stories, details and irrelevant material.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Cecil Johnson, syndicated columnist "A highly readable and insightful manual for successful leading and living. With Golf and the Game of Leadership, McHugh has nailed the ball right down the center of the fairway."

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 1st edition (May 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814408370
• ISBN-13: 978-0814408377
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,097,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully written, FUN read!, April 18, 2004

By 

Elizabeth A. Pummill (Westland, Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Golf and the Game of Leadership: An 18-Hole Guide for Success in Business and in Life (Hardcover)

A beautifully witten guide that combines the love of golf and the desire to succeed in businesss! I have read many guides to business that have me bored by the third hole. This book not only entertained me, but educated me for a full 18 holes!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Guide to Leadership, June 3, 2004

By 

Robert Lauer P.E. (Toledo, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Golf and the Game of Leadership: An 18-Hole Guide for Success in Business and in Life (Hardcover)

This is a fun book to read. If you are interested in Golf or leadership, or both, there is much to hold your interest. But the book is really about more than that. It is basically a primer on how to live your life and feel comfortable with yourself, regardless of where you find yourself involved.

The further you read into the book the more interesting it becomes. The golf anecdotes are amusing and the leadership stories are informative, but they won't make you a better golfer. If you pay attention to the theme of the book it should improve your leadership effectiveness.

This book should be highly recommended to high school seniors, college students, and young adults. If they understand the principle of values they will have a lifetime ahead to benefit from the wisdom found here, acting as a compass for their future

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hole In One!, June 18, 2004

By 

Justin Hill (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Golf and the Game of Leadership: An 18-Hole Guide for Success in Business and in Life (Hardcover)

As a professional in the business world with aspirations to obtain an MBA, I found McHugh's book on leadership highly educational. Using golf as a backdrop, McHugh successfully conveys his message on how to be an effective leader. The format of the book - a round of golf - flows nicely. McHugh's leadership lessons are complimented by interesting, attention-grabbing stories. The "Quick Tips" sections, found at the end of each hole, showcase McHugh's years of experience in the leadership field. I whole-heartedly recommend this book - not only is it apparent McHugh understands what it means to be a leader in the business world, but also in life.