Partnering with the Bulldozer Drivers

Golf is very much a solitary sport. Sure, you can play in a foursome or partner in a match. Perhaps a caddy is following you (hopefully down the fairway, and not in the trees) for eighteen holes. But when all is said and done, golfers play against themselves and the course, alone. Or so it only seems.

Renowned golf architect, Bill Coore created one of the most successful partnerships in golf, pairing with former Masters champion Ben Crenshaw to design acclaimed courses including Sand Hills, Talking Stick, and Bandon Preserve at Bandon Dunes, Oregon.

I asked Bill, “What experience in business taught you the most?” While working with the legendary architect Pete Dye in the early 70’s, Bill asked Pete for career advice, and that advice changed Bill’s perspective forever: “Get to know the bulldozer drivers.”

Bill believes you can be the world’s most visionary architect, full of magical ideas, but your ideas will still fail without the bulldozer drivers—the partners who transform your ideas into magic and contribute magic of their own.

Blogging for Steem resembles golf. When we post our blog on the site, it’s really up to us to deliver our best performance. How can we ensure that we do this every time?

Get to know the people who drive our bulldozers at Steem.

Who are those people at Steem? Start by following as many Members as possible. Establishing “partnerships” with other Members helps ensure that they enjoy your blog and share your blog with others.

I recently spent time on the phone with @terrybrock, a master of technology and presentation on Steem. Terry has been helping me design a template to make blogging easier; has made suggestions in terms of finding ways to wrap my text around my photos; and is going to make a taped video of us discussing sales and marketing techniques for Steem this week that we can both post to our blogs.

Find the people who work behind the scenes: Who are the community leaders that know other people who are interested in the type of content you are posting? Who are the stakeholders who are voting and rewarding content? How is what you are doing of interest to them? Their cooperation and willingness to partner with you or support you can be the difference between a good posting and a great one- or between a good one and a disaster.

Bill Coore believes these principals of partnership are the key to his success. Bill feels that he and Ben must establish the framework of their design and concept and keep the widest possible focus. During the process that follows, they refine their focus without ever limiting the ideas or suggestions of others—the people driving the bulldozers. By allowing people to do what they know best how to do, the end result is the betterment of the whole group and the entire project.

Listen to the guys and gals on the bulldozers.

Finally, I asked Bill what other significant partnerships played a role in his success. He immediately responded, “My partnership with my wife, Sue.” He explained that Sue always listens to his ideas, offers her encouragement, and makes suggestions wherever she feels her own expertise could help. “I could never have achieved my success without her.”

Who can you solicit to read your blog before you post; offer suggestions or perhaps artwork? Do you have another Steem partner for which you can do the same?

So, in blogging as in golf, are we ever really alone? No. I think not. We all owe a tremendous amount of our success to the people who drive our bulldozers. Get to know your drivers. Thank them for their contributions. Then go out and create a masterpiece based on partnerships. They will make you better, you can make them better, and the result will be not just an outstanding blog post, but a deeply gratifying experience for everyone at Steem.

Christine K. Clifford, CSP is the author of eight books including YOU, Inc., The Art of Selling Yourself and Let’s Close a Deal: Turn Contacts into Paying Customers for Your Company, Product, Service or Cause. She is the CEO/President of Christine Clifford Enterprises. She helps companies and individuals craft their story and designs “knock your socks off” Media Kits for companies, individuals and entertainers. Visit www.christineclifford.com or email her at [email protected]. Don’t forget to ask! ™