Tiger Woods' Public Statement from the Viewpoint of Recovery

Tiger Woods is person, not a brand. The challenge of sorting through these two images when dissecting his public statement can be confusing, but less so from the standpoint of recovery.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) February 19, 2010 --In his carefully scripted response during today’s press conference Tiger Woods began to face the music of his actions in the public arena. Tiger, unlike many who face similar behavioral difficulties, will never benefit from the gift of anonymity. The gauntlet of critics lined up for years to come will likely be harsh and relentless. The ten minutes of diatribe I tuned into on New York sports radio after the speech revealed a level of hostility that has little to do with the actual man who is suffering. It has all to do with his brand and the power it holds.

None the less, his statement today was filled with all the hallmarks of an individual embarking on recovery. He used the words amends, and demonstrated that he knows it will not be words but future actions that demonstrate his sincerity in learning to live a life of integrity.

Woods made an appeal to the families and youth of the world to find “room in your heart to one day believe in me again.” It’s an interesting request because it recognizes that some will never make that room, regardless of what he does. Such a recognition shows a level of acceptance of the damage caused by his actions. A asked a student at The Family Foundation School, our therapeutic boarding school, his opinion about Woods and he struggled to express his emotions. Finally this student said “All I know is that I’ll always see him in a different light now.”

For the millions walking the road to recovery, finding room to allow Woods the opportunity to change and grow will not be difficult.

More information can be found online at http://thefamilyschoolleadership.com

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