Paradox Series VI: The News Paradox

Inspired by Sahill Bloom & Tyler Wise

It’s possible that as you read this, you are very busy, if not overwhelmed, with a list of urgent to-do’s to deal with. Welcome to modern living, where we seemingly have everything we could possibly need, but not enough of what we could really use: peace and joy. Part of this consumer culture is the relentless news cycle. Join me as we explore the fascinating concept of the “news paradox” and how consuming more news can actually make us less informed and more anxious. As leaders at our golf facilities, I believe we have the unique opportunity to counteract this noise and help our customers, teammates and ourselves find more peace and joy. 

What is the News Paradox? Sahill Bloom said this very well. He wrote, “The more news you consume, the less well informed you are.” Along with that direct phrase, Bloom refers to what is known as the “The Nassim Taleb Noise Bottleneck: More data leads to a higher noise-to-signal ratio, so you end up knowing less about what is actually going on.” In other words, the more you focus on everything, the less you can focus on something… so possibly, if not literally, you focus on nothing. (This reminds me of an article I wrote in 2018 that would seem to apply to this paradox. Check it out: Pay Attention to What Gets Your Attention)

Really, what is this thing we call news? Joe Donatelli, the digital director at News 5 Cleveland wrote an interesting article about this paradox. In it, he wrote: “A basic definition of news is previously unknown information that impacts or is of interest to a community. Unknown information attains a higher value the more unexpected it is. At the heart of many a news story is the quality of being unusual.”

Later in his article, Donatelli added this: “News has the power to confirm biases, biases like, ‘Life in this country is worse than it used to be.’ Bias provides a kindling that sparks into narrative. A narrative such as national backsliding takes on a life of its own in our national conversations, and in our politics, as members of both major parties twist our national anxiety to their advantage. This is the most profound effect that news currently has on society.” Donatelli quips that, “News and politics combine to form a Perpetual Chicken Little Machine.” (So true.)

For us as leaders (in an official capacity, as a Head Professional, Director of Golf or General Manager, or in a supporting role), the News Paradox provides us with an opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives, the attitudes and the psyche of our customers/members. Thanks to the News Paradox, our customers/members are often very much under the “weight of the world” with the news and pressures of their own personal and professional lives. (The same could be said of our teammates, the young people we lead/supervise, etc.)

These customers, teammates and staff (and us) literally live in a high noise/low volume world where there are millions of signs, messages and more trying to get their limited attention. And yet, we all know that a round of golf can be the opposite. It can be, and often is, a high volume/low noise platform for us to lighten the load, help create space to metaphorically breathe (or literally breathe) in a beautiful setting with old (or maybe new) friends.

What are some ways that a PGA professional can create space in this high volume/low noise environment for the benefit of their customers/members, for teammates/staff, for their employer and for ourselves?

• FOR CUSTOMERS/MEMBERS (AND BY EXTENSION OUR EMPLOYER)
  • Make good use of the low noise, with targeted communication for your customers… be intentional about how you message them (and how often), so your special platform and opportunities are not wastedTry to avoid the “Yes, but…” response when you are hit with a negative comment or similar. Instead, try to start your response with “Yes, and…” Check this quick video by Vinh Giang on the power of improvising in the “negative news” space, to first acknowledge their comment, position or objection (not necessarily agreeing with it) and instead “building on their comment and working with them to keep it going in your direction (and theirs.)
  • When they’re listening (paying attention to your message because it’s about their golf experience), be sure to leverage the opportunity to bring more joy, drive more revenue and drive greater engagement.
• FOR STAFF/TEAMMATES
  • Find ways to lower the volume of noise and turn up the meaning of the messages you share with them – make sure they lift them, make them laugh or make them think.
  • Mike Mueller, PGA, the Career Consultant serving the members/associates of the Carolinas PGA Section said this to me about the News Paradox. He said, “Part of our job, as a team and as teammates, should be to eliminate noise for each other so that we are more focused on what matters…especially in communication. For our members, with their resume for example, there’s no need for 100 bullet points as the odds, are your audience will miss the ‘good ones’…”
• FOR OURSELVES
  • Follow Jim Rohn’s advice: “Take time to be quiet. This is something that we don’t do enough in this busy world of ours. We rush, rush, rush, and we are constantly listening to noise all around us. The human heart was meant for times of quiet, to peer deep within. It is when we do this that our hearts are set free to soar and take flight on the wings of our own dreams! Schedule some quiet “dream time” this week. No other people. No cell phone. No computer. Just you, a pad, a pen, and your thoughts.”Re-read the article I suggested above: Pay Attention to What Gets Your Attention It applied before the “Covid Bump” in 2018 and it would seem to apply even more now.
  • Instead of the “news cycle,” start a professional development cycle and create your own inspirational, motivational news (information) cycle. Click here to see the Spring 2024 Employment Update from me and the Section Employment Committee. In this update, you’ll find the following that will inspire you, motivate you and/or equip you through:
    • Highlights about new Class A PGA members in our Section
    • Highlights about new management positions landed by Section members and associates.
    • A curated list of recent “Stay Involved Webinars” that will help you with your coaching skills, leadership skills, your operational skill set and with your own career path and development.

In the next installment of this series, Paradox Series VII, we will look in depth at the Icarus Paradox. Thanks for taking the time to read this article. If you have a story to share, an issue you’re facing professionally or similar, please reach out to me when you can. If you are seeking any help with your career or similar, please click on the “Book an Appointment on Monte’s Calendar” link below.