Faced with the situation of potentially embrassing the boss, how would you respond to the challenge? Specifically, do you feel secure enough in your position/career to challenge the boss fully or would you back off?

The Business of Golf

Ask people why they golf with business associates, and the answer is always the same: It's a great way to build relationships. They say this far more about golf than about going to dinner or attending a baseball game, and for good reason. Indeed, this may be the central fact about corporate golf, though it's rarely said: When people golf together, they see one another humiliated.

At least 95% of all golfers are terrible, which means that in 18 holes everyone in the foursome will hit a tree, take three strokes in one bunker, or four- putt, with everyone else watching. Bonding is simply a matter of people jointly going through adversity, and a round of golf will furnish plenty of it.

QUESTIONS: Why does shared adversity foster strong relationships and bonding? How can managers get task group members who do not play golf to bond like this?

Time to Crush the Boss?

Letter to Fortune magazine:

I am a 31-year old executive at a company headed by a friendly but fiercely competitive CEO. We get along fine, but here's the thing: We both play racquet-ball, and he's mentioned repeatedly that we should play sometime. I keep putting off setting a date for a game because I'm an excellent player and I'm afraid would be career suicide. Should I agree to play? If so, should I play to win? ----Killer Backhand

QUESTIONS: What advice would you give to Killer Backhand? How "political" is your answer?

Faced with the situation of potentially embrassing the boss, how would you respond to the challenge? Specifically, do you feel secure enough in your position/career to challenge the boss fully or would you back off?