How Leaders Lead with David Novak• Apr 2, 2026• 1:19:03Interview

The Man Behind the #1 Golfer in the World

From How Leaders Lead with David Novak

Ted Scott•PGA Tour Caddy

Executive Summary

Ted Scott, caddy for world #1 golfer Scotty Scheffler, emphasizes that his role is to support and guide, not to control, adapting his approach based on the player's needs and performance state.
A key leadership strategy for Scott is to use guiding questions rather than direct commands to influence decisions, which helps players think through options without creating doubt or conflict.
Scott believes that elite performers are defined by their relentless drive for improvement and their ability to embrace challenges, a mindset he fosters in his players and practices himself.
Before starting his partnership with Scheffler, Scott established clear expectations regarding on-course attitude, highlighting the importance of setting cultural and behavioral standards from the outset of any professional relationship.

12 quotes

Concerns Raised

The negative impact of a poor on-course attitude on performance.
The risk of playing too conservatively and failing to win championships.
The potential for a caddy to over-coach or interfere when a player is performing well.

Opportunities Identified

Maximizing the potential of elite talent through tailored psychological support.
Using effective questioning to improve strategic decision-making under pressure.
Building a winning team culture based on shared values and a commitment to constant improvement.

Key Themes

Adaptive Leadership in a Support Role

Ted Scott views his caddying role as a consultant or a NASCAR crew chief, adapting his communication and level of intervention based on the player's personality and immediate needs. He knows when to provide detailed information, when to be a 'yes man' to a player in the zone, and when to step in with simple, direct instructions during a struggle.

This provides a powerful model for anyone in a coaching, advisory, or support function, demonstrating how to add value and influence outcomes without having direct authority or control over the final decision.

The Power of Questioning and Indirect Influence

Instead of disagreeing directly with a player's strategy, Scott's preferred method is to ask insightful questions that guide the player to consider all potential outcomes. This Socratic approach empowers the athlete to own the final decision while ensuring a thorough thought process, effectively steering them without creating conflict or undermining their confidence.

This is a highly effective communication tactic for business leaders, particularly when managing experts or high-ego individuals. It fosters collaborative decision-making and encourages critical thinking over confrontational debate.

Cultivating a High-Performance Mindset

Scott asserts that the foundation of elite performance is a positive attitude and an insatiable drive for constant improvement. He required Scotty Scheffler to commit to improving his on-course demeanor as a condition of employment and believes that embracing challenges is the key to growth, a principle he applies to his own development by seeking out people better than himself.

This theme underscores that for individuals and teams, mindset is as critical as technical skill. Leaders can foster a culture of excellence by emphasizing attitude, resilience, and a commitment to continuous learning.

Calculated Risk vs. Conservative Strategy

Scott observes that players who consistently adopt a conservative, 'safe' strategy can earn a lot of money on the PGA Tour but rarely win championships. He believes in supporting calculated risks, even if they sometimes fail, to maintain a player's confidence and aggressive edge, which is necessary for victory.

This provides a valuable business analogy for balancing steady, predictable returns with the bold, strategic risks required to achieve market leadership and breakthrough success. It highlights the danger of a culture that is too risk-averse to win.

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Topics

Leadership Coaching Mentorship High-Performance Teams Elite Performers Sports Psychology Golf PGA Tour Caddying Scotty Scheffler Bubba Watson Communication Strategy Influence Mindset Risk Management

Processed Apr 6, 2026 yt-dlp + mlx-whisper + Gemini