Mastering Leadership Through Golf: The Fairways to Success Journey

In the latest episode of the Born to Be Dope podcast, host Ryan C. Green welcomes Mike Powell, a leader in mentoring and personal development, to discuss his transformative journey in leadership through the sport of golf. With over 20 years of experience through his nonprofit, Lifting As We Climb, Mike shares how he is now merging effective leadership training with the skills and community found in golf.

The Foundation of Giving Back

Mike Powell co-founded Lifting As We Climb in 2003, a mentoring program aimed at empowering young people through sports. By leveraging sports as a platform, they reached large numbers of kids and emphasized the importance of academic and social development alongside athletic prowess. Mike explained, "We wanted to impact kids in the classroom, on the field, and in life." This holistic approach has led many participants to achieve significant milestones, including scholarships and professional opportunities.

Evolving the Message

Over the years, Mike's focus has evolved while maintaining the core message of helping individuals become more productive. He emphasized that while the methods and venues for delivering this message have changed, the intent has remained constant. Mike noted, "The way that we're delivering it has grown; I still do goal-setting workshops, but now it's more about working with clients internally rather than public sessions."

Navigating Change in Leadership

The discussion also touched on the challenges of public perception in the age of social media. Mike highlighted that just because something is not visible online doesn't mean it isn't happening. He said, "You can't judge success just by what you see someone post. Many entrepreneurs are hard at work behind the scenes, and sometimes they go quiet to focus on their craft."

The Rise of Fairways to Success

As Mike’s personal journey evolved, particularly through the lens of fatherhood and his daughter's involvement in golf, a new idea emerged—Fairways to Success. Set to launch in 2026, this program aims to teach leadership skills through golf. Drawing parallels between the sport and leadership, Mike aims to create an immersive experience that combines learning to play golf with valuable leadership lessons. He described the excitement, saying, "Golf is hot right now; it’s not the nerdy sport it used to be. It’s becoming a community where young professionals gather."

Key Lessons from Golf

Mike outlines several key lessons from the game of golf that translate into valuable leadership skills:

- What's in Your Bag? Just as golfers must know their clubs, leaders must understand their strengths and weaknesses. Self-awareness is crucial for effective leadership.

- Playing the Lie: Adaptability is key in golf as conditions change. Similarly, leaders must be able to navigate varying situations and challenges effectively.

- Building Community: Golf fosters connections and maturity among players, providing a unique opportunity for networking and personal development.

Conclusion:

Mike Powell’s journey exemplifies the power of adaptability and the importance of mentorship. By combining his experience in leadership with the lessons learned from golf, he is paving the way for future leaders through the Fairways to Success program. As he prepares to launch this initiative, his story reminds us that growth often comes from unexpected places, and the key to success lies in understanding our unique tools and how to use them.

Key Takeaways:

- The importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence in leadership.

- Adapting to change and navigating new environments is essential for personal growth.

- Engaging with communities can provide invaluable networking opportunities and shared learning experiences.

Tags: Leadership Development, Golf, Personal Growth, Mentorship, Community Engagement, Fairways to Success, Goal Setting, Professional Development, born to be dope, ryan c greene, mike powell, fairways to success, lifting as we climb