If Tiger Woods was your son, what advice would you give him right now? (Part 2)

Rob Naddelman: Through a Parent’s Eyes

OK, so here is my answer to the question above.

Tiger, you are arguably the most recognizable name and face in the sports industry, so you can’t hide behind your website and standard press releases and think that the public, your sponsors, and the media will be satisfied.

You have made some choices that certainly paint a negative picture of your character and your ability to make good decisions. However, the only chance you have to win back some grace and dignity is to stand in front of the camera, make a statement and answer the media’s questions. You need to say that you made some poor decisions, and you are now forced to deal with the ramifications of your decisions. Even if this means that you have done irreparable damage to your marriage and to your sponsor’s business arrangements.

Tell people that even highly successful people, who seemingly have the world at their fingertips, make poor decisions. No one is immune to general human emotions like insecurity. Sometimes people make bad choices, but how we deal with those choices is usually how we are judged the most.

You don’t have to make the statement long and you don’t have to answer the questions for days. Just get out there and be honest and human. Don’t try to be a robot without any emotion.

Hiding isn’t going to solve anything or help you in anyway. At some point, you are going to have to face the music and it is better to get it over with so you can focus on what is really important. That is, repairing your family and image.


Rob Naddelman is the President of Baseball Factory. Naddelman is a former two-time All Ivy League Third Baseman at the University of Pennsylvania, where he competed in a College World Series Regional. He has served as the President of Baseball Factory for the past 14 years, and also is the Executive Director of Baseball Factory's charitable arm The B.A.S.E. - H.I.T. Foundation. Naddelman and Steve Sclafani (CEO) have been featured in Business Week and CNN for their work in building Baseball Factory into the nation's leader in player development and college placement.