Ryan McKesson's Linkedin Analytics

Happy Masters Sunday y'all! In 2007, while working and living in Atlanta, I was lucky enough to attend the final round of the Masters. Zach Johnson won that day, and up until the Ryder Cup here in 2016, it was the greatest sporting event I had ever attended. I don't have a single photo from that day, but what I do have is far more valuable to me. It's a lifetime of reliving it each year in April. And it's one of the many reasons I love this tournament so much. As cliche as it sounds, the cameras really can't do the property justice. It's far more beautiful in person than you can actually imagine. But now I have to ask. Do you think Rory can get it done today? I know that's what I am rooting for!

Family day at Augusta National. Otherwise known as the Par 3 contest… This wonderful tradition began in 1960 and to this day, no one has won the par 3 contest AND The Master’s in the same week. Which is why you will find many children today getting a chance to make a putt, or hit a shot for their fathers. It ensures a disqualification from the contest, and absolving them from the pressure of breaking the “curse”. So, in 2018, when Jack Nicklaus let his 15 year old grandson take his tee shot on the final hole, it was more of a cute gesture than a surprise. But what happened next was legendary. His grandson made a hole in one! It also lead to Nicklaus saying, “It was the greatest day I’ve ever spent at Augusta” And for a man with a record 6 victories in The Master’s, it tells you how special this day is to the players.

AI trends are cool, but I'm still a fan of imitating action figures in real life 😀 This is not a slight on AI. The creativity coming from these new tools is mind-blowing AND awesome. But real life is pretty cool too. This photo was taken on Halloween a few years ago. For Christmas that year, the kids gave me these action figures for my office. They have been in the background of my virtual calls ever since. And every single time I see them, I smile.

As a golf purist, the Masters is the greatest sporting event of the year. But as a technologist... It might be even cooler. The mobile app and interactive website have long been favorites of patrons who are not blessed to enter Augusta's hallowed grounds. But this year's additions to the technology are incredible. The future of sports entertainment is not just customization, it's personalization. And it is in full swing with the technology being delivered at this year's Masters. The level of control and personalization available to fans is simply mind-blowing. It transforms the experience from merely viewing the action to actively engaging in every shot. But it's not just the fans who are taking advantage of it. With a database of over 180,000 historical shots, and the advent of AI infused within it, players and caddies are leveraging the app to make decisions about how to play the course each day. And for those like myself who have been fortunate enough to attend the event in the past, the experience created through this technology comes awfully close to reliving those memories...

Here it is folks. The entire list of leaders who are participating in this year’s auction! Thank you to everyone on this list. This is going to be our biggest event ever and I can’t wait to see the impact we all make.

Hello Friends! It's officially Master's week and my favorite sporting event of the year! The Master's golf tournament is steeped in tradition, which makes it so special to patrons from around the world. But one of the lesser-known traditions is the Amateur Dinner, which takes place on Monday each year. Several amateur golfers are invited to the event as part of the legacy that Bobby Jones instilled when he created the event almost 90 years ago. While many people are familiar with the Champions Dinner that takes place tomorrow night. The amateur dinner tradition actually started several years before that. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the five amateur golfers this evening. And one of the many reasons why this tournament is so incredible.

Master’s week continues with the infamous Champions Dinner tonight… This tradition was started in 1952 by Ben Hogan himself. In the letter below, you can see the invitation that started it all. It’s well known that the previous champion gets to select the dinner menu for event. And that usually gets most of the fan fare. But what I didn’t realize was that he also pays the bill. Hogan was insistent that since he was the one inviting the other champions to dinner, that he would also cover the tab. And from that moment on, a tradition was born.

FORE please! Now driving, Jack Nicklaus... The Honorary starters are one of the great traditions at the Masters. But what I love most about the tournament is what you don't see in this picture. A cell phone. Phones are not allowed on Augusta's grounds during tournament play. And it may very well be one of the last places in sports where that is the case. It's a testament to how much each and every patron values the experience. When was the last time you were willing to leave your phone at home and actually experience an event you were attending?

The CIOs Against Cancer - Minnesota CIO Auction is NOW OPEN! We're doing things a little differently this year. The auction is now open and will conclude during the CIO Auction After Party, presented by Tata Consultancy Services, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Allianz Field. Join us in thanking them and celebrating this great community of leaders! See you on Thursday night!

How old is too old to ride on a shopping cart through the parking lot? Asking for a friend ;) Happy Easter weekend everyone!

Making space for an activity is not a substitute for making time... A few months ago, I decided to rearrange my home office to create a space dedicated to my writing. I had read somewhere that one of the best steps to develop a writing habit was to make space for it. But the lesson I actually learned from this was even more valuable. The best way to develop any habit is to do it. Not just to plan for it. I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but I spent far more time planning, building, and perfecting this space than using it to write. Planning is one of the most dangerous ways we procrastinate because it feels so productive. It feels like we are taking steps to reach our goals. But if it doesn't lead to taking action, then we never actually get there. This begs the question: Where else am I spending more time planning than doing? And how can I get back to the work that must be done?

The most important question you can ask in a networking meeting... Is the one that you ask yourself right beforehand. "What can I learn from this conversation?" Not what can I gain? Or even, what can I give? But simply, what can I learn? This one change has had the greatest impact on my own journey because it removes the attachment to any predetermined outcome. When you prioritize learning as the main objective, you allow for a genuine connection to happen. And that is always the best way to uncover how you can help one another anyway.

Alright golf season. Let’s see what we have in store for each other… I love spring golf. It’s the excitement to be outside mixed with an appreciation for making it through another winter. It’s devine. And the funny thing is, I tend to play some of my best golf in the spring because my expectations are low and my gratitude is high. Which makes me wonder. Why can’t I bring that spring golf attitude to more areas of my life? Tempered expectations with an appreciation for whatever the outcome happens to be. Now that sounds like an ambitious goal…

Thank you to Allianz Field for hosting Zabdiel and me for the game last night! We were happy to be comfortably in a suite for the rain-soaked victory. 😅 As we prepare for this year's CIOs Against Cancer - Minnesota auction on April 24th, it was fun to see the venue for an actual game. This will be the second year in a row that we are hosting the auction at Allianz Field, and I am not sure there is a better venue in town to host an event. The space is beautiful, and the hospitality team there is second to none. We are only a few weeks away, and the tickets are selling out fast. So make sure to register using the link below, and we will see you all there on April 24th! https://lnkd.in/gxiAyT5f

What an incredible night! Thank you to everyone who showed up to support CIOs Against Cancer - Minnesota at the auction yesterday. It was a record breaking event and none of it would be possible without the support of our tremendous IT community. To all the sponsors, volunteers, and leaders who participated this year, THANK YOU! PS - I had so much fun last night I forgot to take any pictures. But I did capture the VIP happy hour room beforehand. It was a great addition to the program and Presidio was proud to play host.

"Networking = NOT Working." Unfortunately, this is the mindset most people have when it comes to networking. That you only need to do it when you are looking for work. But what if I told you that networking can actually help you in your current role? Seeking advice from others can be one of the smartest ways to help your organization. Especially if they have already gone through the challenges that you are currently facing. Additionally, connecting with individuals outside your industry can offer new perspectives and insights that you wouldn't gain otherwise. If you're hesitant to network because you believe it's in opposition to your current job, then try shifting your perspective. Focus on how connecting with others can make you even better at this role, instead of how it may help you find your next one.

Networking your way into a meeting with a hiring manager makes THEIR lives easier too... There is much discussion about how difficult the job market is right now, and most of it is true. But not enough is said about how exhausting the hiring process is as well. There are hundreds of applicants to sift through, immense pressure to make the right hiring decisions, etc. So when a leader is introduced to a candidate by someone they know and trust, it helps them cut through all of that noise. Networking, especially when you feel like you need to, can feel very selfish. It can feel like a burden to ask your connections for help. But realizing how much you are actually helping others during this process can make it more rewarding for everyone involved.

How Rory's best friend helped him finally capture the career Grand Slam... Rory McIlroy won The Masters yesterday, becoming only the sixth player to accomplish the feat of winning all four professional golf majors. And he did it in far more dramatic fashion than he was hoping for when he stepped onto the first tee on Sunday. A stumble early on prepared us all for the fact that this would be no walk in the park. Rory would treat the golf world to a roller coaster of an experience with shocking miscues and dazzling brilliance. His resilience and grit were remarkable. They will undoubtedly (and rightfully so) lead the storyline of this historic win for many years to come. But it's the story of a friendship that captured my heart yesterday. And one that may have ultimately brought him to this historic victory. Rory and his caddy, Harry Diamond, have been friends since they were children. They first met on the putting green of their local golf club when Rory was 7. And they have been inseparable ever since. Few people remember that Rory started his career with another caddy, one with a resume and credentials unparalleled in the sport. So, in 2017, when Rory decided to part ways with his pro caddy and have Harry take over, he was routinely criticized for the decision. Rory's take was that he was more interested in the personal support that Harry could provide than the professional advice of anyone else. And yesterday it finally paid off. Rory made a terrible bogey on the final hole of regulation that put him into a playoff with the hottest player on the course, Justin Rose. Who had just birdied that same final hole to force this playoff. With all of the self-doubt and second-guessing creeping in, Harry pulled Rory aside and said, "We would have given anything on Monday to be in this position right now. We are right where we want to be." Rory said afterwards that those words helped him reset, return to the present moment, and get the job done. It was a historic moment for the sport of golf. And a beautiful one for a friendship 28 years in the making.

There is so much allure to using AI these days that we keep bypassing the most important question. Does this problem need solving in the first place? This is a bit of an embarrassing story, but it was a great reminder that in my rush to use a new tool like AI, I might be missing the answer that is right in front of me. When my wife and I travel, we prefer to find local, authentic restaurants instead of anything we could find back at home. So on a recent trip to Puerto Rico, we ended up at a great local establishment for dinner. The only problem was that the menu was all in Spanish. Luckily, this was no longer a concern for a self-proclaimed technologist and AI enthusiast like myself. I simply pulled out my phone, tapped open my trusty ChatGPT app, took a photo of the menu, and prompted the app to translate it into English for me. Feeling satisfied with my technical brilliance, I asked my wife if she needed help ordering off the menu. Her response? "No, I'm good. The other side of the menu is all in English." The lesson: We must ensure that our enthusiasm for using these new tools does not replace our curiosity about the problems we are trying to solve in the first place.

I can't remember the last time I turned on my OOO reply... Not that I haven’t been on vacations. I just had this false sense of pride about staying plugged in while I was away. But I feel like I’ve under appreciated the OOO reply. Or at least been missing the opportunity to have fun with it.