Four years ago, Jimmy Walker received his first of many lessons from Butch Harmon (Tiger Woods former coach).
The 37-year-old Texan had never won a major tournament. Walker bought Harmon a $1,200 bottle of champagne, Chateau Margaux, which Harmon pledged not to open it until Walker won a major.
This past Sunday, Walker gave Harmon a reason to open the bottle. He won his first major, the PGA Championship, beating out the #1 player in the world, Jason Day, and every other golfer in the field.
What allowed the 37-year-old to break through?
It’s utterly amazing to me how the right coach can show an athlete or an entire sports team how to break through to the next level.
In sports, it’s clear.
In business, so very few have the right coach.
It’s usually none at all. Here’s what I hear: “It’s too expensive” or “I can’t afford it” or “I tried coaching before and it didn’t work” or “I don’t have time” or “It’s a waste of money” or…
Did coaching “pay off” for Walker?
Or, sometimes, the opposite… too many cooks in the kitchen. Advisors listening to too many coaches, jumping from one thing to another.
In Walker’s case, it took a coach who believed in him AND has shown others how to break through. Walker listened and applied.
The right coach needs to have succeeded themselves… AND have a proven track record of being able to pass it on to others.
So… who you listening to?