The Best of the Future Lies in the Past

Hall-of-Fame San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh would routinely remind his coaching staff and organization that United States Marines always fought for United States Marines. The Marines’ history was essential to promoting pride, great courage and a willingness to be selfless in service. Walsh wanted everyone to know what occurred before impacts what occurs in the future.

The same logic applies to the Masters and why we have fallen in love with the course. Do you ever wonder why some non-golf fans still love watching it? It’s because the Masters is not only a golf tournament, it’s a walk down memory lane, a sense of tradition that we all love to experience. It’s not living in the past; it’s experiencing the past — which then makes us want to perform at our best level.

We love to learn about the history of the Masters, how the course was first designed, how the Masters’ management team ensures the standards are always in place and how no member ever violates the code of conduct. We admire the course from afar, the caddies wearing the white jumpsuits, the pristine conditions and, of course, the storytelling of what occurred over the years on those 18 wonderful holes. The consistency and respect given to those who came before make this a tournament fitting of its slogan — “unlike any other.” When we watch past winners tee off to start the tournament on Thursday morning, we praise the past with an eye on the future.

Walsh wanted every member of his 49er team to understand its history, to understand what it means to wear the colors and why. He gave the past the respect it deserved so that the future would carry on in the same manner. He did not gloss over the bad or the ugly; Walsh embraced the mistakes and made sure everyone knew it didn’t belong. When you worked or wore the 49er uniform, it was bigger than you, and you carried the history of the past on your shoulders. The numbers mattered. If you wore No. 42, you owed a debt of gratitude to Ronnie Lott, who pioneered the team’s great tradition. The numbers mean something. History means something. When organizations understand the meaning because we as leaders explained the history, the new members will strive to match the prior excellence. This is how Walsh derived his belief — Marines fight for Marines.

Successful teams and organizations always give their past the recognition it deserves. If you are part of a new company, start your traditions, start making your history and allow the members to add to the framework for years to come.

When you care more about the past, the future will shine brighter.

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