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On April 14th 2019, Tiger Woods made history again by becoming a Master’s Champion once more, despite spending 11 years in the professional wilderness. It was a sight that many golf fans across the world never thought they’d see again: a victorious Tiger Woods pulling on that iconic green jacket. Yet, 11 years after winning his last major tournament and 14 since he’d last won the Masters, there he stood. He was at the peak of his game with a total of five championship wins under his belt. Sports analysts celebrated the news through writing journalism and analyzing statistics.
Comebacks are par for the course in elite sports, but Woods’ comeback was one of the most unlikely in recent history and also one of the most valuable. Facing challenges on both a professional and personal scale is something that all entrepreneurs and brand owners will experience at some stage in the business life-cycle. However, the trick isn’t just to survive them, it’s to surpass them. Here are some key takeaways from Tiger Woods’ triumphant return to the top. Businesses and entrepreneurs can use them as both business and personal lessons.
Don’t Be Afraid To Re-Strategize
When Woods was at his lowest, he wasn’t just dealing with physical pain. He was also dealing with the negative patterning he’d adapted to after undergoing repeated back surgeries. He was no longer capable of delivering that pure golf swing that won him countless trophies and global recognition. So what did he do? He refocused and re-strategized. Similarly, businesses need to learn how to implement new strategies ranging from loss leader strategies to data breach strategies.
Woods knew that in order to move forward, he needed to unlearn all those negative patterns and programming that affected his swing, including the negative self talk. He went back to his roots, stripping everything away and approaching his swing with the self-belief that he knew exactly what he was doing. This strategy worked. It took time and countless repetitions, but by rethinking his methods, he was able to push himself to the next level. Apply this to your brand when you face difficulties in an increasingly competitive market. Rethink and strategize by unlearning those negative things that have become habit. Build new patterns that will help unlock the next level of your company.
The Power Of Crisis Management
2009 was a fateful year for Tiger Woods. The personal scandal that led to his divorce began the personal and professional downfall of this once bright star. Four years later, back surgery kept him from competing at the Masters tournament and four more in the following years meant that he was missing out on qualifying for major tournaments.
Another personal controversy in 2017 saw a number of his endorsements coming to an end, including partnerships. He dropped to 1,199 in the world rankings. His life was truly in crisis and the only way he could get back to his tournament-winning ways was to manage it. Crisis management is a powerful tool that can help any brand overcome the challenges that they face. Whether you want to profit from sports like Tiger Woods or excel in another industry, you need to develop a crisis management strategy.
Creating Lasting Change
No matter how many defeats and personal knock-backs Tiger Woods faced during his 11 years of struggle, he ultimately defeated them. Moreover, he staged a glorious comeback. Comebacks can be powerful tools for business too. A simple rebrand and relaunch can ignite existing customer curiosity. It can provide plenty of opportunities to reach new audiences. The true value, however, lies in what happens after the comeback.
According to Oddschecker, Brooks Koepka may be the current favorite to win the 2019 US Open thanks to his victory at the PGA Championships. However, the resurgent Woods is determined to claim the title by turning his comeback into long-term, positive change. Part of this involves looking back at his past achievements, specifically the 2000 triumvirate of the US Open, the Open and the PGA. As Woods explained, “those were quick turnarounds, one month each. What did I do?”. Being able to draw on past achievements, what Woods calls his “positive Rolodex” is a valuable skill for any entrepreneur or business owner looking to transform their brand. It makes them “fully invested and committed” to the future.
