Changing lanes? Not so fast

Are you bored in your current job? Ready for a change? Primed to take on a completely new challenge? After all, how many more stimp readings, bunker rakings or hole cuttings can you do in a career? If you’re really ready, great. Believe in yourself and go for it. But also proceed with caution.

Nothing galls me more than people who claim to be expert — even competent — in a field and expound without factual, practical or even basic knowledge behind their pronouncements. You’ve read my rants about green committees, so you know how I feel about those without any experience in golf, other than as club members, telling us how to do our job. In many ways it’s worse when it’s someone who thinks just because they’ve been around the profession in one capacity they’re qualified in all aspects. Mostly all they’re doing is just spouting opinions.

Let me give you an example, and trust me, this is only one of many. I heard recently about a club where one of the non-agronomic employees was telling others that a certain feature on the golf course reflected a well-known and well-researched historic design element. His information and perception were wrong, pure and simple. Even the course architect did not agree with him. But he continued to declare it so. Why? “Because I’m the boss.” That may be, but it doesn’t make him right.

Until you are truly qualified to comment, stay in your lane. Whether it’s architecture, playing features, club operations, merchandise, food and beverage, whatever, learn it first, talk about it second.

Here’s another example, one even closer to my heart. And my wallet. Everyone I meet thinks they can do a personnel search for superintendents. When I ask for their qualifications, the answer is always the same: “I know a lot of people.” That’s a good start, but do you know what you can legally ask a candidate? Or how to put together an employment package?

I’m not saying these people can’t become qualified. I did. But it takes years of study and learning to work your way up a ladder of experience and credibility. Making a commitment to a job and getting as good at it as you possibly can takes focus.

Every other phone call I get these days is from someone who wants to be a consultant. Good luck. But besides knowing something about the industry, they need to consider the cost of everything from printer ink to liability insurance and wear-and-tear on a personal vehicle. Are they capable of writing a clear, concise report explaining the problems and suggesting the solutions? Do they have the patience to sit by a phone that doesn’t ring, waiting for the first opportunities? Are they suited to work on their own, from their home, with no support staff? Are they sitting on a little nest egg that can support them and their family in the lean early years?

I’m not trying to be discouraging. I am saying to ask all the questions. Weigh the risks and the benefits.

How do you gain experience? Part of it is research. Read the right books and take classes. But real knowledge comes from getting to those people already doing the work, asking questions and listening to the answers. Roll up your sleeves, get a job in the field, learn by doing and work your way up. Doing all that also has the advantage of letting you know along the way if this is really what you want to do.

One limitation I see in many experienced people trying to make a shift is the inability to listen. They think they already know everything and are especially unable to learn from someone younger or whom they consider “junior.” Well, they’re not junior if they’ve been in the business even a few years when you’ve been in it a few weeks.

I think you’re not cut out for an industry if you’re not willing to do the dirty work, absorbing all the information you can from whoever you can. Shadow those already in the business and learn what people do at all levels. It’s not like you became a head superintendent without being an assistant first, right?

When you are ready, make 100 percent sure you are up for the task and have the network you need to succeed. Nothing travels further or faster than bad news or bad performance.

You can’t brand yourself an expert based on one experience: one championship, one construction project, one golf course renovation. You have to prove your worth and your knowledge to others. If you can’t, others will quickly realize that you are not the real deal.

But if you are, once you get out of your lane, be ready to step on the gas!