We've all heard of private or venture capital companies doing due diligence on the companies in which they are interested in investing. And we probably are convinced that these financial firms are careful enough to do due diligence on the principals of the company. But did you ever think they would check out your golf handicap? Guess what? They do!
I recently found a private equity company as part of their diligence looking up the handicap (and finding out how often they play) of the principals of the company. This could be both interesting and damaging. What if you posted scores for the past two weeks, playing 4 or 5 times a week. Are they going to think about your office attendance? And what if your handicap is a 4? Are they going to believe that you are just a casual golfer?
I doubt that anyone makes a make or break decision based upon how good a golfer one of the principals is. However, it is easy for them to look you up on GHIN.com. All they need to know is your name and your state. If you have a posted GHIN account anyone can see it.
Golfers beware! :)
I see, so my huge golf handicap should be interpreted as indicative of my prowess as an entrepreneur?
ReplyDeleteOn a more serious note, I think that "avocational" passions can often be important positive performance indicators, although in my opinion you need to look at the activity.
For instance, in my own case, as a fairly serious runner and racer, I run most days of most weeks. You can infer a lot from that (not the least of which is that I have the good sense not to spend all my time playing golf :)), though I don't think that you can infer a lack of adequate commitment to work.
It says that I'm competitive, that I have the ability to develop aggressive goals, plan and execute to meet those goals. It suggests that I know how to react to disappointment, am always looking for ways to improve, etc. The list of attractive attributes that this activity suggests will be in evidence on the job is pretty long, and I haven't even mentioned physical fitness, which contributes to acuity and productivity.
One thing that your note points out that I think is particularly important and under-recognized is that there are very real ramifications of living in a "Google Age," in which very little of our lives is private. Too few of us give that due consideration.