As is the case any time the stage is bigger and the lights are brighter, the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills offers some valuable lessons to those paying close attention. It has been said that success leaves clues, and this past weekend left us with some great insights.

1) There is more than one route to the top

Brooks Koepka took an unusual path to the top of his sport. “To be honest, I’m not a big golf nerd,” Koepka told Golf Digest last year. “Golf is kind of boring, not much action. I come from a baseball family and it’s in my blood.” Say what you will about the merits of his baseball-is-full-of-action take, but the important takeaway here is that there are alternatives to the “specialize early, forsake all other pleasures in a joyless, obsessive, pursuit of greatness” route.

It is often said that the Masters tournament doesn’t start until the back nine on Sunday. However, a detailed look at some of 2017 winner Sergio Garcia’s quotes both past and present reveal that his victory was the culmination of a journey that started many years before. There is much that can be learned from watching the world’s best perform under the brightest lights. Here are three lessons we can apply in our own lives, whether athlete, coach, or leader.

“Leadership is the ability to make those around you better and more productive. Leadership isn’t a rank — it’s not only for the coach, it’s not only for the captain, it’s not only for the seniors. It’s a skill. If I’m the leader, that means everyone else is a follower. I’m not happy with that.”
Jack Clark, Head Coach, University of California Rugby

When a coach with 25 national titles in 33 years speaks on leadership, it’s best to listen and take notes. Jack Clark has been leading the University of California’s rugby program for over three decades. His resume speaks for itself. And his definition of leadership is both simple and profound.

As a reader of this newsletter, you are either a coach leading a program, an athlete aspiring to become a leader, or a parent leading your family. One reason I love Clark’s definition is its relevance to each of us no matter our circumstances.

Leadership is the ability to make those around you better. It isn’t a rank, it’s a skill - and if it’s a skill, then it can be trained.

I hope you had the chance to watch last week’s college football National Championship between Alabama and Clemson, but not for the reason you might imagine. As a fan I was as thrilled as anyone to watch the two best teams in the country go back and forth, with the game coming down to the final seconds. But that’s not what is still with me a week later. 

I still have Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s post-game words ringing in my ears: “I told my guys tonight, that the difference in the game was gonna be love...tonight, we’re gonna win it because we love each other.”

You didn't have to be a baseball fan to appreciate and enjoy the epic World Series Game 7 between Chicago and Cleveland. Two teams with tortured fan bases going back and forth, with players from both teams stepping up in the most pressure-packed moments and delivering performances that will be talked about for years to come. A perfect example of why sport is so compelling. 

With the Cubs ending a World Series championship drought of 108 years, we would be wise to dive into how they did it. And the way they did it starts with their manager, Joe Maddon. I offer up three lessons taken from Maddon's mantras: