Set aside the manager ego and think like a rookie

As the leader, you have earned many perks over time. Beginning with your title, position, office space, and more. You have certainly accomplished a great deal. You have earned your success. Being at the top of the pyramid, your perks may also include special parking, significant bonus compensation, industry conferences, annual trips, or other benefits that align with a leader at your level of experience and accomplishment. As one achieves a top industry role, there is an attitude that comes with the altitude. A leader can feel a bit above the crowd—maybe even bulletproof at times. As one grows, not only does self-confidence increase, but the ego balloon stretches to a difficult size. 

With the leader feeling like a different person, it might be hard to step back and remember what it was like as an intern, a newbie scraping for attention and information at every turn. Feeling vulnerable comes naturally to the rookie; not so much for our hero at the top. In this ever-changing landscape, I believe approaching the day with a sense of newness can be a wonderful way to grow the property, the team and yourself. In this In My Opinion post, putting on the cape of vulnerability opens up the mind to taking on a new approach to the day, to your work. Here are my three thoughts on gaining ground by observing through the eyes of an experienced rookie. 

Park the expert at home. If you sincerely want to see your world through a different lens, take 30 days. Approach this period with a fresh pair of eyes and a different attitude from that of the boss. Your plan here might start by thinking about the questions any curious intern would come up with. The concept should include the idea of digging around to uncover things, different and new, that could become part of the future. When you enter your property as a rookie, you gain the advantage of seeing new ideas, hearing new conversations, and becoming engaged in chatter you may have formerly ignored or even avoided. You can dig in and spend the time listening, as your desk is clean for the next month.        

Develop that list of questions that you always wanted to ask but felt too much of an expert to traverse. This is the time. These next 30 days can bring about a series of ideas to test and try. Hopefully, a list of out-of-the-box items will appear. Ideas that excite you, your team and members. Prepare to arrive during this time, with a clear mind, prepared not to give out, but to take in everything as if the scenario is fresh and new. 

Set the program in place, putting your second in command in charge. Tough to be a rookie and a leader at the same time. To do this well, prepare the team, set guidelines for the period and get out of the way, taking your leadership pieces off the board. Prepare to wear a new pair of glasses. The goal: to see things as a leader cannot. To think new thoughts. To arrive day one with an open mind. To work through the 30 days, adding a menu of new ideas, programs, while gaining a new perspective of the culture and the role of management. It is an idea that can be tough on the ego, great for growth. Stay the course. Do not take the bait when fires accelerate, and all eyes point toward you. Allow your managers the chance to work the problem(s). Create a thorough plan, communicate it to the team, and stand down. I believe you will be glad you did. 

In your day job, you spend each day creating better service, developing team members, and growing the organization. All part of the plan, but it’s also important to grow the leader. Improving your skills a bit each day can lead to better career choices. You never want to be that leader who believes they have checked every box, keeping their head down, only to look up and see that the world has left them behind. Building a better you can be as impactful on those you lead as it is on you. This exercise should permit you to never feel vulnerable about taking a giant step back again. Shrinking oneself just might be the best growth choice yet. 

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Jack Dillon writes the In My Opinion series. He is a speaker, author, buyer, and merchant. He is available to speak to your team on a number of operational issues. As a speaker, Jack has provided great stories and fresh details to golf brands, golf management companies, and clubs all across the land. Today, Jack is also the buyer at The Happiest Place on Turf! Reach out to Jack through his site: www.youdontknowjackd.com. You can also call Jack at 407-973-6136. Jack lives in Orlando.