Uncharted Waters Cancel The title field is required!

1. Marsh Greg

   
   2/21/2014 10:02 PM

   New ownership often times means new expectations, however I didn't see this one coming. With the recent release of our General Manager, I was given an ultimatum by our new owner......either become the GM/Supt or be replaced by someone who is willing to do so. I have never been one to shy away from responsibilty, but I've always been a realist, and I know that I do not have the skills of a seasoned GM. I'm being forced into a situation that is only setting me up to fail, and my owner has stated that I will not be compensated any extra $$$ to take this on. I've searched the forums, and read about guys making the transition from Supt to GM, but my situation is slightly different. Any advise for trying to make the best of an unwanted situation like this? My family is counting on me to make this work until I can find a better job opportunity.

   
   
   
   
2. Peter Grass

   

   0 posts
   
   2/22/2014 9:02 AM

   Greg,
   
   I can only share my experiences but hopefully it can help. Three different times in my 30+ years at my facility, I have been asked to fill in as an "interim" GM. Tenure from 3 to 9 month periods, last one about 6 years ago. Each time my Board would have removed the interim part but what I found was I liked it, but with children at home still, my Supt hours were crazy enough, GM hours were worse, more late night stuff. Now empty nesters and my wife and I have talked, if it happened again, I would take the GM position.
   
   I don't know enough about your current situation, but making some "assumptions", I will say this. If it is being mandated that you take the responsibility or move on, take it on, show your abilities and turn the ship around. Additional compensation is earned by respect and showing that you are worth it, not just because of a new title (IMHO sorry). If you do a good job and don't get offered something additional after say 3-6 mo, than consider other employment options, but also dont be shy or too bold, about making known what additional time you are spending and improvements you are making.
   
   I would guess that you know, but if not, find out the major and minor reasons that the "former" GM was dismissed. Hopefully there are qualities and abilities that you have to improve those areas, we superintendents are pretty good multi-taskers and problem solvers. $$ talks, show how your leadership is either currently making the bottom line better or what you are intending to do, will do. If things were really bad, just stop the bleeding and stabilize the patient, then work on a long term plan. Involve your board, owner, council, whomever in your plans to show that you on top of things and have a great understanding of the facility, current and future staffing, capital, marketing etc..., needs. Show your stregnths in the areas that were poorly done by the former GM and show the ability to hire the talents or learn them yourself, in the areas needed to achieve their goals.
   
   It won't be easy or necessarily fun, but taking on a challenge and learning new skills, are things that superintendents typically don't shy away from.
   
   Good Luck,
   
   Peter Grass
   Hilands Golf Club
   Billings, MT

   
   
   
   
3. David Brandenburg

   

   3 posts
   
   2/23/2014 2:02 PM

   Greg,
   
   At this point I would say give it a try and see what happens. If you do not like it look for a job. I have been a super/GM for 15 years and although some days are horrible most days are good.
   
   Feel free to call me and talk about it.

   
   
   
   
4. Kevin Clunis

   

   0 posts
   
   2/24/2014 9:02 AM

   Try it you might like it. I am currently in my second year as Supt/Mgr. The powers appreciate a professional job and appearnce. There has to be a reason they came to you and not cleaning house. Take it as a compliment. Do the best you can everyday and let the chips fall as they may.

   
   
   
   
5. James Smith

   

   113 posts
   
   3/1/2014 6:03 AM

   Great advice above, I agree with them. If you are being given the reins to the operation take it on. What have you got to lose? Maybe some extra sleep, hours away from the family health (hey I am being honest). But what can you gain? valuable learning experience, better understanding of how the system works time away from the outdoors (may be the worst).
   
   I would take the position and set my department up where it can be run with your minimum input (you cannot be expected to do the same job as the Superintendent if you are GM also) like promoting a worker to take on more of the responsibility. Get to know the club staff better and see if there may be people there in place that can also step up with more of the responsibilities. Make a list of things needing to be addresses daily in each department and set a time schedule of when you will meet or observe these departments.
   
   A lot of times we Superintendents actually find ourselves doing a GMs job to some extent anyhow. My club does not have a GM (the one time we did it went terrible) but I constantly find myself in the other departments either helping out or putting out fires with them. It comes with the territory of being the longest tenured employee (20yrs) at the club. I do not have a problem with it but I prefer it outdoors and everyone knows it. I understand eventually that I will either have to step up completely or move on when it becomes too hard for me to accomplish my Superintendents duties (get too old to work as hard as I do), but right now at 52 I think I got another 10-15 years of shoveling and hand watering left in me.