Finding Your Sage: Leadership, Inner Growth, and the Golf Course

Last week, I had the privilege of attending an incredible CREW event in Austin, TX. For those unfamiliar, CREW is more than a leadership think tank. CREW is a vibrant community of accomplished business leaders from across the country who gather with the shared intention of elevating one another. It's a space rich in trust, insight, and generosity, where leaders bring not just their resumes but their whole selves and are ready to listen, challenge, and support.

At this in-person cohort, we had the phenomenal opportunity to hear from Shirzad Chamine, the author of Positive Intelligence and the visionary behind the framework of Saboteurs and Sage. CREW introduced me to the book and its lessons, and I quickly became an admirer. His teachings offer a mirror into how we engage ourselves and others, not just in the boardroom, but in our relationships, parenting, and even the ways we play and pursue our passions.

One of the biggest “aha” moments for me this year has come not in a conference room or client session, but on the golf course. 

After a 20yr break, I picked up golf clubs again last October. What started as a new challenge and a way to spend meaningful time with my significant other soon turned into a surprising journey of self-discovery. We often talk about growth in terms of business metrics or milestones. Still, there's something uniquely humbling about being a beginner again, especially in front of someone you love and respect.

Despite taking a few lessons, I found myself tense and anxious every time I approached the tee box. As someone who thrives on performance and progress (my main saboteur is High-Achiever), I was putting enormous pressure on myself to be good right away. Sound familiar?

But here's the thing: the Judge, as Shirzad would say, was loud in my ear. That inner critic that demands perfection, fuels comparison, and dampens joy was in full swing (pun intended).

It wasn't until I consciously tapped into my Sage, that inner voice of curiosity, compassion, and presence, that I began to experience the game differently. I started to enjoy the rhythm, the challenge of the swing, and the simple joy of learning. And wouldn't you know it? My game started to improve, and I am having fun.

Whether you're teeing off in golf, leading a team through transformation, or navigating a tough conversation at home, the lesson is universal: don't let your inner Judge call the shots.

When we recognize and intercept our Saboteurs, and lead instead with empathy, exploration, and calm, we not only elevate our performance, we expand our capacity for connection, creativity, and joy.

CREW, Shirzad, and even my short game have reminded me of this: Leadership isn’t about always getting it right. It’s about how we respond when we don’t. It’s about how we show up when the ball lands in the rough.

Here's to growth on the course, in our careers, and within ourselves.