Having the opportunity to hear so many great speakers at events and meeting through the winter season is exciting. It also feeds the mind during long drives between engagements. One particular presentation, that by Henry DeLozier at the GCSA of New England Annual Meeting, sent me back to my days as a superintendent, trying my best to lead using what DeLozier referred to as servant leadership. We have all had the opportunities to work with and or lead individuals. Occasionally, one stands out for positive or negative reasons.  For me, it was an employee I will call “Eddie”, and I’d like to share his story.

Eddie showed up at the golf course in early spring looking for a job during the very beginning of clean-up. At that point, the course was not open, and staff numbers were kept very low.  He was asked to return later in the spring. Two weeks later, Eddie showed up again, filled out an application, and an interview was scheduled. Eddie’s platform was simple; he needed work, will show up on time, and will work all the hours I could give him. I hired him.

It became clear early on that Eddie would be a project.  Eddie, in his own words, was “not the brightest bulb on the tree.”  Learning course routing was more of a work in progress than usual.  Every training took longer than with most.  Straight lines were optional, holidays were a given, and it was again determined that the trailer that did not fit across the bridge on 17, still did not fit across the bridge on 17.  Among all this daily chore chaos, there was an employee who showed up early, worked hard, had a great attitude, and was proud of the need to put another notch in his belt because he had lost weight. 

He knew his work was indeed a work in progress, but as he made progress, everyone on the staff gave Eddie his due!  Mowing directions fell into place, lines straightened, no more skips, and subtle changes to the norm were taken in stride. By the middle of the season, Eddie was doing good work, a key individual for an in-house project, and spending some time outside of work with some of the staff.  Eddie’s positive attitude was infectious, he was extremely proud to be a member of our team and thrilled to need a new belt.

As a facility with a small crew, I had to let Eddie go early in the fall.  I reached out to a colleague and got Eddie a spot for the remaining part of the late-season.  It didn’t work out. 

Late December of that year, I ran into Eddie at the local Market Basket bagging groceries.  He was smiling wide, talking to all the customers, doing what Eddie does! He was incredibly thankful for the opportunity to work at the golf course and for giving him the chance to fill a spot at another course. I expressed to Eddie my thanks for all the effort he put in and for the positive impact he had on each member of the staff. I told Eddie I would never forget him, and despite the fact that we lost touch, I haven’t.

Not every staff member learns at the same rate, brings the same attitude to the job, or works out quite as we may have envisioned. I will never forget Eddie or the joy he brought to me as I watched him (slowly) succeed in his work with a smile on his face and genuine concern for assisting others. If you have had an “Eddie” in your career, please let me know your story and the impact that employee made on you. With the hardships shrinking labor pools brings to us these days, it is refreshing to reminisce about the positive impact others have had on our past!