Walk Slow

We spend most of our days at our clubs. Constantly on the go, many of us zipping from one place to another like a firefighter on a call. Some GM’s handle their day-to-day like a to-do list crossing off items as they appear in the operation but often moving so quickly that they miss the opportunities to connect, which often stare them right in the face.

"Walk slowly through the crowd" is a concept I was reminded of while listening to leadership guru John Maxwell's podcast. The idea is simple. Be present, stop and talk with members/staff invoking conversation and engaging, remember people's names, smile at everyone, and be quick to offer help. Maxwell preaches about this in his bestselling book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, but I was fortunate to see it firsthand from my uncle, Craig Martin. 

He could walk through the dining rooms and know every member's names, where their kids lived, and when their grandkids were visiting. This approach broke down silos and showed members (and staff) that as a leader, you are vested in their well-being. It sets a tone and provides an example.

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Keeping a strong presence and being visible is essential. I do this by spending much more time in the operating spaces than in my office during the bulk of my day. This allows me to hear directly from employees, get their feedback, and talk with them about their families and personal stories to have a meaningful connection. I take an interest not because I have to but because I want to. You can preach a family atmosphere all day long, but actions speak louder than words. I show that I genuinely care about my team's well-being through my authenticity. People understand leaders are busy, but they also will remember when you stop and listen to them, take that phone call late at night or respond to an email on vacation. When you walk slowly through the crowd, you can help others learn their strengths and develop them as tomorrow's leaders, all while increasing the impact on your organization.

Now I must admit leading a team of nearly 300 can be a challenge, especially when it comes to birthdays or spouses' names, but I leverage technology and a CRM program to serve as my second brain. Reminders go off to let me know a milestone is on the horizon so that we as a team can celebrate. Taking the time to celebrate is everything. It shows you care. This is incredibly valuable, especially now when employees have their choice of where they want to work and finding talent is a challenge. Simple acts of appreciation go a long way and build a strong culture. 

Culture in the workplace has evolved, and we as leaders need to change with it. There's more focus on feeling comfortable in the workplace, work/life balance, and constantly pushing to keep staff happy and motivated. Deep, meaningful, purpose-driven work is what the new generation of employees are looking for. They want a sense of belonging, and they look to the GM to set the tone. It would be easy for me to sit behind my desk all day and answer emails, but I choose to "Walk slowly through the crowd.”  This approach has allowed me to break down barriers, create meaningful relationships, and encourage others to grow as leaders.