By Rachel Carter, Senior Director of Membership, NGCOA
Happy New Year! As we bid farewell to 2023, I find it an opportune time to reflect on the wins and losses of the past year, and find a renewed sense of purpose and energy to pursue the new year.
For me, the new year feels like a fresh start. The opportunity to build on what I achieved the prior year and push myself in areas that I want to grow in the future. I’ve also found, in a position of leadership, how important this process is for building team morale and trust.
Reflecting on 2023
Not all organizations take the time to reflect on the past year with formal (or informal) review at the end of the year. Oftentimes, once the budget is approved for the following year, it’s full speed ahead! But there’s something uniquely human about having ‘closure’. About measuring what worked, and what didn’t. I believe employees want to know how they ‘measure up’ in the eyes of their managers and those signing the front of their paychecks. It doesn’t always have to be ‘formal’ but simply taking the time and creating the space to reflect and show appreciation have remarkable returns. Doing so also offers the opportunity to look at where success was not achieved. What can we learn from our approach, our strategy, our effort? Are resources being deployed adequately? Is the goal worth continued pursuit?
The Power of Goal Setting
Setting clear and achievable goals is a cornerstone of success in any business. I learned in my early days at American Golf Corporation, “...if you don't know where you are going, how will you know when you get there?” This commonly cited quote emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals in order to achieve an objective. Without a clear direction or purpose, it is difficult to make progress or take action. Setting goals for our teams gives us a path to pursue together. At any point along the way, we can stop, look around and measure, “are we there yet?”
Attending events like the Golf Business Conference in January can provide valuable opportunities for business leaders and their teams to step back, gain new perspectives, and set clear goals for the future. The emphasis on team collaboration, creative brainstorming, and relationship-building during the conference aligns well with fostering a positive and goal-oriented work environment.
The Path Forward
As we embark on this exciting journey into 2024, let's commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence. By setting thoughtful, strategic, and achievable goals, we lay the groundwork for a year filled with growth, innovation, and success.
Thank you for being an integral part of the golf community. NGCOA membership wishes you a prosperous and fulfilling new year.
This article was featured in the January/February edition of Golf Business Magazine.