Develop Yourself First

There we were, a group of club leaders sitting around a table outside, sharing our vulnerabilities while also breaking out of our comfort zones to tell a peer what they admired about them. This was uncharted territory for all of us, but it was a part of a professional development retreat designed to make us gain a deeper understanding of people's emotional journeys. There were great takeaways, bonding moments between one another, and another opportunity to grow as a leader.

Professional development is critical to your success as a club leader. It allows you to stay up to date on current trends, to innovate, and most importantly, to be relevant to your members and employees. The purpose is simple, to learn and apply new knowledge in your operation to make it even better than it is today. But how many of us do it? And for those that do, how many of us implement what we learn? The takeaways that we learn are important and valuable, and they don't have to be revolutionary. Often, they are simple reminders such as the value of a handwritten note.

Think about what it says to the person receiving it? It shows that you took the time to think about them and share your thoughts. It shows that you value the relationship. Writing handwritten notes is more worthwhile than ever, considering the digital world we live in when most of us are firing off texts. Recently, I took pictures of all my Board members at our annual Board appreciation dinner. The pictures with their spouse were put into a custom frame with our logo accompanied (crafted in The Guild, our on-site woodworking shop) with a handwritten thank you note from me.

Without a great Board, we cannot do what we do as visionary leaders. Another idea that my President and I implemented was a handwritten note from us congratulating members on their anniversaries when they joined the Club (5-year increments). This shows we care about their commitment to the community in supporting the Club all these years. The notes say so much and take so little time.

It's about attitude. It's everything. "Keep a great attitude always" was the mantra from Bert Thornton-retired President and COO of Waffle House, who recently spoke at the NCA conference in Charleston. Your attitude gives people a glimpse into who you are, and it's the single most observed thing about you. You always have to be on and show your best because you never know who is watching but most importantly, it sets the right tone for your team.?

Networking and education are essential for all leaders. Take the time to go to the events, pay attention, and then challenge yourself to try something new. Expand your knowledge base and break out of your comfort zone by spending time with attendees you don't know that will change your thought process. As we all continue to grow in our careers, we must remember that every successful person has been honing their skills for a long time. They've put in the 10,000 hours. I approach education with an open mind and am always ready to learn something new. I've already booked my trip to attend FLCMAA Summer Conference in Marco Island next month, and I look forward to seeing many of you there.