Well Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki aren’t doing much to support the argument that balance is important in life. Since their well-publicized pre-wedding breakup earlier this year, both McIlroy and Wozniacki have found success in their respective sports of golf and tennis. McIlroy has won three tournaments in a row, including two majors, and is now ranked #1 in the world. Wozniacki has a tournament win of her own and is 15-3 in recent matches.
Caroline Wozniacki
Both McIlroy and Wozniacki acknowledge that they have focused more on their respective sports. They really don’t have much to do with their time, so they spend it practicing and training. This extra effort has undoubtedly contributed to their recent successes.
Rory McIlroy
Our role as leaders takes incredible commitment. As leaders, we must work harder than anyone else on the team. We must have a passion and an energy for what we do that is unmatched by others. Leadership requires a focus and a discipline that allows us to immerse ourselves in our roles, much like McIlroy and Wozniacki have done.
But I believe leadership also requires balance. Yes we must work hard, but it’s also important that we spend time doing things we love outside of our work or leadership roles. Find a passion that lets you escape from your position as a leader – perhaps community service, a hobby, a sport, or spending time with family. These types of “escapes” help us to rejuvenate, to re-energize, and this ultimately makes us better leaders.
Rory McIlroy and Caroline Wozniacki have had success immediately after immersing themselves in their sports. And both are so talented that I am sure they will continue to have tremendous success. But I believe to sustain long-term success, they will need to find some balance. They will need to find a way to rejuvenate, to recover from the grind of the travel and the competition. We all need balance in life. This balance will help us to sustain our effectiveness as leaders for many years to come.
Thanks for reading,
Jim
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Jim Earle 