The power of
positive relationships

Over the past year, my predecessor, Dave Downing, CGCS, and I have been sharing thoughts on how GCSAA and its members can weather the economic challenges our industry is facing.

I hope these tips have helped, and I encourage you to monitor GCSAA communications and reach out to your association for assistance in managing your career and facility. There’s a wealth of information at your fingertips and a willing and able staff ready to help customize resources to meet your specific needs.

Understandably, much of the news and discussion has been centered on the negative. It’s hard to escape the constant statistics on the economy. But we have to focus on the long-term and know that better times are coming. We must prepare to take advantage of the situation when the business climate improves.

One way to do this is to foster positive relationships in all aspects of your lives. There is power in numbers. Any success I’ve had has been rooted in the relationships I’ve built and fostered. At the facility level, it’s imperative that the golf course management team has a strong bond. The value of a well-functioning team is greater than the sum of its individual parts. A strong team results in efficiency, economies of scale and high-quality performance, and it also speaks well for your leadership abilities.

The days of silos are long gone. If golf course management, golf operations, food and beverage, etc., don’t function with a spirit of teamwork, the facility is almost assuredly doomed. GCSAA has long promoted the team concept, where individual department leaders offer their expertise and understand the operations of the others. Be proactive in establishing and managing positive relationships with your peer leaders. Every decision should be made with the goal of a win-win for all involved.

From a career perspective, I’ve learned that no person is an island. Without the guidance of instructors, the mentoring of veteran superintendents and the network of local, chapter and national contacts, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Everyone needs the support of others to grow and develop. When you have a problem, think of the five people you can call on for help. If you find yourself struggling, reach out to those with whom you have a relationship. The answer might be just a phone call, e-mail or cup of coffee away.

Organizationally, GCSAA has grasped the concept of relationship building. This began in the mid-1990s, when it moved its emphasis to a golf association with a focus in golf course management. The leaders who came before me began to reach out to others in golf. In doing so they were able to strengthen the industry and elevate the stature of GCSAA and its members. Relationships, we’ve learned, must be managed. Their dynamics constantly change, and GCSAA has been proactive in reaching out to others.

Regardless of the level, the true value of relationships often is revealed in times of struggle. However, if there’s no relationship at that point, it’s likely that actions to develop them will be too late. Relationships are valuable. Don’t let them fall by the wayside. You never know when you will need them.