Talk about a fresh voice from the academy. Two professors, social psychologists George R. Goethals and Scott Allison, introduced Hereos: Who They Are, Why We Need Them, a blog tied to their forthcoming book of the same title. In the book and in the blog they reportedly will explore “the psychology of herorism, shedding light on wht heroism and villainy mean to most people and why heroes are so vital to our lives.”
They had timing on their side and published opening commentary on Tiger Woods. Check it out:
Tiger Woods' news conference today revealed that he is a long way from completing his journey toward healing himself and his personal life. There was a searing honesty in Tiger's words that suggest a genuine desire to repair his personal life, even at the cost of his golf career achievements. Tiger would not say when he would return to the golf course, and at age 34, the clock is ticking on his quest to eclipse Jack Nicklaus's records.
When will Tiger Woods play golf again? From his words at the new conference today, the question is almost irrelevant. He devoted 99% of his words to what he's doing to improve himself as a person, as a husband, and as a father. Clearly, his career comes second. Tiger spoke more about returning to his Buddhist roots than returning to Pebble Beach. His contrition was powerful and his priorities are now clear and in the right place.
As human beings every bit as flawed as Tiger, we applaud the great humility he showed at today's news conference, and we wish him well on his emotional and spiritual journey. As golf fans, we can be patient for his return. First things first.
We suspect that Tiger is in the midst of completing a 12-step program, and if so, we give him great credit for embracing a highly proven way of undertaking personal growth. What are the clues that give away his program? He admitted he had a problem (Step 1). He cited the tenets of Buddhism as a path toward healing (Steps 2 & 3). He admitted his wrongdoings and what he is doing to correct them (Steps 4-7). He acknowledged who has has hurt and how he will make things right (Steps 8 & 9). He then alluded to what he needs to do to remain a good person and to help others as well (Steps 10-12).
If there is one thing we learned today, it is that Tiger Woods is just as hungry to achieve the same success off the golf course as he has achieved on the golf course. How many world-class athletes put their careers on hold until they get their personal houses in order? Very few if any. If Tiger fulfills his personal goals with the same relentless drive that he's shown with his professional goals, we'll be witness to a remarkable transformation. We wish him well.
