Trusting Your Gut: What Golf Can Teach You About Spotting Red Flags in a Teammate

Introduction

Golf is often seen as a leisurely pastime, but it’s also a game that can reveal much about a person’s character. Whether you’re teeing off with a potential business partner or a colleague, the behaviours exhibited on the green can provide insights far beyond the course. As professionals, we often overlook the subtle signals people give off, but by being observant and trusting our gut feelings, we can learn much about a person’s true nature. This is particularly important in a team setting, where integrity and honesty are key to success.

The Connection Between Golf and Character

Golf, much like the workplace, is a game that demands honesty, patience, and respect. How someone handles the pressure of a strenuous shot or the temptation to bend the rules when no one is watching can tell you much about their character. These moments on the golf course often mirror how people behave in other aspects of their lives, including in professional environments. By paying attention to these behaviours, you can spot early signs of potential issues, whether it’s a tendency to exaggerate achievements or a casual disregard for the rules.

Spotting Early Signs of Bad Behavior

1. Repetitive Lying:

Small lies, such as misreporting a score, might seem insignificant, but they can indicate a deeper issue with honesty. If someone is willing to be dishonest about something as trivial as a golf score, it raises questions about how they might handle more significant matters in a professional setting.

2. Dishonesty and Rule-Breaking:

Observing someone bending or outright breaking the rules during a round of golf is a red flag. This behaviour can reflect how they view boundaries and ethical guidelines in the workplace. What starts as a minor infraction on the course could escalate into larger issues in a team environment.

3. False Claims and Exaggeration:

When someone consistently exaggerates their skills or achievements, it’s a sign that they may not be entirely authentic. This lack of authenticity can erode trust within a team and lead to a toxic work environment. Trust your instincts — if something feels off, it probably is.

The Power of Intuition: Trusting Your Gut

Our instincts are often our first line of defence against potential issues. While logic and facts are essential, there’s something to be said for the quiet voice in the back of your mind that says, “Something isn’t right here.” This gut feeling is often a response to subtle cues we might not notice consciously. On the golf course, as in the boardroom, people reveal their true sides in small ways. By being sensitive and trusting your intuition, you can pick up on these early warning signs and address them before they become more significant problems.

The Importance of Honesty Online

In today’s digital age, honesty isn’t just important on the golf course or in face-to-face interactions — it’s also crucial online. While there isn’t a single law that explicitly states you must be honest online, various rules and regulations address issues related to misinformation and dishonesty. Defamation and libel laws, consumer protection regulations, and anti-fraud statutes create a legal framework that discourages dishonesty. Moreover, social media platforms enforce their own rules to combat misinformation.

Beyond the legal implications, maintaining honesty online is essential for your professional reputation. Misinformation and false claims can damage your credibility and the trust others place in you. Whether in a casual setting like golf or the digital space, integrity is key to building solid and lasting relationships.

Why It Matters in a Professional Setting

Ignoring these gut feelings or early signs of dishonesty can lead to larger issues. In a professional context, unchecked dishonesty or rule-breaking can erode team morale, damage trust, and ultimately harm the group’s overall productivity. For example, a colleague who casually bends the truth on the golf course might later fudge reports or mislead clients, leading to significant consequences for the team or organization. Recognizing and addressing these behaviours early is crucial to maintaining a healthy, productive work environment.

How to Address These Issues

When your gut tells you something is wrong, it’s essential to take action. This could mean candid conversation with the individual in question, setting clear expectations about integrity and teamwork, or even reassessing the team dynamic if the behavior continues. Addressing these issues head-on can prevent more significant problems and ensure the team remains focused and united in its goals. Transparency and open communication are crucial to resolving these concerns effectively.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Being observant and trusting your instincts can help you identify potential red flags before they become significant issues in casual and professional settings. Whether you’re on the golf course or navigating the complexities of the digital world, integrity and honesty are non-negotiable. Pay attention to the minor signs, listen to your gut, and take action when necessary. Doing so will build stronger, more trustworthy online and offline relationships.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on this topic. Have you ever trusted your gut to spot potential issues professionally? How did you handle it? Please share your story in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation going.