Bobby is pro golfer and CBS commentator, allowing Marianna a lot of time to observe high performance behaviors!
Anyone watching the end of the 2007 British Open and the interviews afterwards witnessed the ultimate breakdown and victim conversation. As Melanie Hauser, of PGATour.com says “On the day when he could have defined his career, Sergio Garcia fell victim. To Carnoustie Golf Links. To Padraig Harrington. And to himself.”
Consider the following press after Sergio conceded his 3 round lead of the Open to Padraig Harrington:
“Sergio Garcia, who came on the golf scene at the 1999 PGA Championship and threatened to defeat Tiger Woods, has been labeled the future of European golf (not to mention the heir-apparent to Seve Ballesteros and the as-yet-unfulfilled promise of being Woods’ main rival). And through all the tantrums, meltdowns, thrown clubs and spitting spats, Garcia has always seemed to come up short. Rather, it seems Garcia has gladly allowed countryman Miguel Angel Jimenez to carry the flag for Spanish golf while instead he chases skirts in Canada.” Worldgolf.com blog
“Sergio did not handle himself well after he melted………..three separate times he blamed the fields crew that had to rake the traps before he could finish the 18th hole, and said it delayed him for over 15 minutes. That is garbage”. Golfchannel.com
“Every time I get in this position, I never have any room for error,” Garcia said. “I should write a book on how not to miss a shot and not win a playoff. You know what’s the saddest thing about it? It’s not the first time. It’s not the first time, unfortunately,” Garcia said. “I don’t know. I’m playing against a lot of guys out there, more than the field.” Sports.espn.go.com
The shadow side of victim archetype is strongly at play in Sergio’s attitude and comments. As you can see, he is looking to attribute blame outside of himself. The result is giving in to a self-defeating game of blame, which dims the possibility of harnessing discipline and one’s own attitude towards positive action and motivation. He is giving away his own power to take responsibility and make a difference. Can a PGA player win a major without reining in the victim conversation? Probably not – and neither will any of us be playing our own ‘A’ game if we let the shadow victim take control.
