How ImportantAre Communication Skills?

How Important Are Communication Skills?

Communication skills are becoming the single most valuable way to expedite your rise to success. Do you even think of a superintendent as a major communicator in a golf club? Would your first impression be:

• Not really you only have to grow grass
• Fairly important due to having a large number of staff to organize
• Very important due to the level of financial investment you are looking after

I am finding quickly that when you have a goal in mind you need, as many influential friends and contacts in the industry. It’s easier to reach your goals and make them a reality with the proper connections.

To make these contacts in the first place it helps to obtain good ‘communication’ skills from experience, working in the industry and socializing/networking. By making yourself approachable and professional in appearance, you will gain respect from the people you wish to learn from.

Confidence in asking simple questions to promote more in-depth discussion is important and can lead to new topics you had not first considered, helping make you think as a leader and see through the eyes of others. There is something to be learned from everyone; even those of less seniority could have a different view and valuable local knowledge. Investing time and energy is the quickest way to utilize a co-workers experience. One thing you will find is no matter how long you’re in the industry for you will always be learning something new.

Resolving problems requires exemplary communication skills to obtain fast, effective results. Timing and a diplomatic touch also go hand-in-hand. In a large proportion of cases the members are your direct bosses, thus they have to be treated with the respect they deserve on a daily basis around the golf course.

My communication skills were valuable when I dealt with a member of staff. Other co-workers respected his words and deeds. I could see good leadership potential in this young man but wanted to point out to him that he needed to first believe in himself and realize his own position in the social group in which he works. I wanted to lead him in the direction that would benefit all parties including the golf course and the individual. Gaining responsibility, possible promotion, and future pay raises was a good incentive to catch his attention. Leaders are always needed in life for others can follow. Not every one wants to be a leader. Even though this individual was still young and impressionable, he had a good work ethic. Using communication skills to raise employees to the next level is both very satisfying and good for business.

Personally I hope to find more challenges like this as I progress through my chosen career as feeling you are doing well for your staff is an added bonus to looking after a golf course and trying to please your membership. Because of this, I realize that being a good communicator is the way to obtain your goals and become a valuable resource. Skills like these are most valuable, hard to teach in a classroom and well worth nurturing.