Less Is More

February 27, 2026

Less Is More

1:53

When I was coaching golf at Haverford, I learned something that changed how I lead forever: It’s not what you say, it’s what you don’t say.

When you’re coaching 15 – 18-year-old boys in an individual sport like golf, you quickly realize something, too much talking creates noise.

And noise creates tension.

My goal wasn’t to fill space with advice. It was to get them focused and prepared.

So I aimed for five seconds of coaching.

Five seconds… principle-based and action-based.

Then I got out of the way.

Focus on What You Can Control

The main message was always simple: Focus on what you can control.

Don’t worry about your teammate who’s two fairways over. Don’t worry about the scoreboard. Don’t worry about the crowd.

Play your own game.

That lesson applies directly to business.

Don’t worry about what someone else is doing in another department. Don’t get distracted by things outside your control. Don’t let comparison rob your focus.

Play your game.

Not Everything Is a Coaching Moment

When we started hiring people at Dakota in 2011, I carried that lesson with me.

Less is more.

Not every conversation has to be corrective, not every interaction has to be instructional, and not every moment has to be a leadership lecture.

Sometimes the most powerful leadership move is restraint.

Be a friendly person in the office… let your team bond and let them build relationships.

At the end of the day, those golfers didn’t always want more coaching.

They wanted to be with their teammates. Your employees are no different.

Discipline in Simplicity

Leadership doesn’t mean constant input.

It means clarity.

Say the principle, define the standard, and reinforce what matters most.

Then step back.

Less noise, more focus, and more ownership.

That’s what builds confidence. And confident people perform.

Less is more.

Written By: Gui Costin, Founder, CEO

Gui Costin is the Founder and CEO of Dakota.

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