Peter Senge’s work on systems thinking and personal mastery offers a powerful lens through which to view leadership. He talks about seeing yourself as part of a larger system and committing to personal growth. For me, the golf course is an ideal environment to explore both concepts.
In golf, everything is connected—the terrain, the weather, your mindset, and the decisions you make. It’s a perfect metaphor for leadership, where every choice you make has a ripple effect across your organisation.
When I coach executives on the course, I encourage them to think about how their leadership decisions impact the wider system. Just as each swing influences the next shot, every leadership action has consequences that reverberate through the team or business.
Personal mastery, as Senge describes it, is about striving for continuous growth and self-awareness. The golf course is where leaders can work on mastering themselves—becoming more mindful, reflective, and aware of their impact on the system around them. As they hone these skills on the course, they’re better equipped to lead with greater clarity and intention in the workplace.
