Mason Howell, Outside Voices & Elephant #2: You Can’t See Your Own Backswing 🏌️‍♂️👀🔍

Mason Howell’s backswing might be elite—but even champions need coaches. The same is true in business: you can’t see your own blind spots.

If you haven’t heard of Mason Howell yet, you will soon.

This 17-year-old high school junior from Thomasville, Georgia just qualified for the 2025 U.S. Open by shooting an incredible 18-under-par through two rounds at Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta.

>>>>> That’s back-to-back 63s. From a high school student. At one of golf’s most prestigious qualifying events.<<<<<

He’s already ranked #8 on the American Junior Golf Association list and stars for Brookwood High School’s golf team, which recently won its fourth state title in five years.

When asked about his success, he didn’t point to his natural talent. He didn’t credit his determination. He didn’t mention his countless hours of practice.

Instead, he said:

“Thank you to my coaches—Bill Connally, Jimmy Gilliam—and all the wonderful folks at Glen Arven who have always been so supportive.”

...

>>>>Here’s a truth about golf: You can’t see your own backswing.<<<<<

No matter how talented you are. No matter how many books you’ve read. No matter how many videos you’ve watched.

Without someone else’s eyes on your form, you’re just guessing.

>>>>>The same is true in business.<<<<<

Real talk: I’m watching entrepreneurs TANK their succession plans because they refuse to admit a simple truth.

You ready for it?

>>>You CANNOT see your own backswing in business. <<<

I’ve been guilty of this too.

Thinking I could DIY my way through complex business challenges without outside perspective.

How’d that work out? About as well as trying to fix my golf swing by FEELING what I was doing wrong.

Our book “Succession Planning for Impact” nails it:

“With the right questions, the facts become clear, and solutions will jump out at you.”

But who’s asking YOU those right questions?

Your challenge: What blind spots might be holding back your business right now?

Did you know 70% of businesses FAIL to make it to their second generation?

Why? Because founders are trying to see their own backswings.

It’s like playing golf blindfolded and wondering why you keep slicing.

What happens when you finally get outside voices?

• You identify blind spots you never knew existed

• You stop “whistling past the graveyard” of business challenges

• You gain clarity BEFORE crisis hits (not after)

• You shift from being the answer-giver to the question-asker

Remember: One of the greatest legacies you can leave behind is a business that continually makes a profit and blesses its community for generations!

But getting to that celebratory victory lap never happens accidentally. That day must be planned meticulously ahead of time.

Just as Mason Howell credits his coaches for his success in golf, your business needs:

1. A Coach who can see your backswing and offer specific corrections

2. A Breakthrough Mastermind Group that asks the brilliant questions you’d never think to ask yourself

3. Outside Voices who have already been where you want to go

With the right guidance and support, you will gain clarity and direction that will provide valuable insights, help identify blind spots, and offer a structured approach to the process.

I’m curious: What’s the BIGGEST blind spot someone else pointed out in your business that you completely missed?

Drop it in the comments - let’s normalize the fact that NONE of us can see our own backswings!

Harry T. Jones