OUTSIDE THE ROPES: Making the most of a career set-back

Recently, a golf course superintendent told me he had lost his job and he did not understand why this had happened to him. The decision was made just weeks after a vote of confidence by his membership and comments from the green committee chairman indicating the golf course was in the best shape it had ever been. One month later he is sending out resumes.

Where do you begin to counsel someone who has just received a severe and unexpected body blow? Our industry is in the midst of an economic crisis and many hard working, dedicated superintendents, assistants, mechanics and crew have been let go, laid off, told "they are no longer part of the team, lost their fast ball, it’s a budget thing" or that they are "not able to take us to the next level."

Life is not always fair. Yes, losing a job is a bad break, but these circumstances are simply one part of a greater picture. You must gather yourself and look at the situation positively – where will this lead in the next step in your career path.

• It is normal and logical to be angry, bitter and thoroughly upset. Go ahead and get mad, but consider that because one aspect of your life has curdled not all parts are sour.

• Do not burn bridges, over react to your employer, say something you will regret, or grab a club and inflict any physical damage to a person or thing. While you have been dismissed, these same people may be instrumental in your next endeavor.

• At an off-peak time gather your belongings from your office, take only what is yours, clean and gas the company vehicle and depart politely. The impression you leave will last a lifetime.

• Golf course superintendents, like professional coaches, are often hired to be fired. Remember your achievements and the many setbacks, dilemmas and tough situations you’ve encountered and overcome. You will survive this one.

• If applicable, acquire legal advice to assist you in a settlement, severance or buy out of your contract. And, at all times during the process, take the high road and be a professional.

• Do not take out any bad feelings on family and friends. They are your support network and you will need them. They did not release you.

• We all experience challenges that seemingly don’t make sense. Viewed in isolation worsens the process and makes it more difficult to move forward. Surround yourself with support.

• As best you can, quit dwelling on the disappointment. Shake it off – which is admittedly, not easy – and begin to look forward.

• Do not get caught up on why. Do not put a question mark on the process. It is over and done. If you were not provided the reason for dismissal or know deep down what you did to precipitate the termination, let it go and move on to the next step in the process.

• Losing your job may seem like the end of the world, but what if the situation forces you to grow into a bigger and better job?

• What is behind you is not as important as what is ahead. Within every disappointment, loss or crisis there is opportunity. Move forward!

• The experience may force you to regroup by looking elsewhere for a challenge: go back to school, change career objectives or start doing what you really wanted to do.

• Gather your resources, contacts, speak to your mentors, industry peers and network with all available connections within the profession.

• Use every industry resource at your disposal to keep you in the game. Stay current with industry trends, attend conferences, search the Web, read and do not become flat.

• If you have interviews, practice in advance to stay sharp. Don’t get soft or it may cost you the next opportunity.

• Fine-tune and tweak your resume. Come up with creative ways to present yourself – video, Web site, photo album or other technologies.

• Stay connected. Phone, text, e-mail and visit all your contacts on a regular schedule to see what opportunities might be available. Others who have experienced job loss will be helpful in moving you forward.

• If needed, take time off and get away to regroup, organize your thoughts, goals and objectives in a clear and deliberate fashion.

• Show enthusiasm, initiative, energy and those personal traits which made you a success in the first place as you go forward with searching for the next challenge. Staying positive show resiliency, character and beats being angry.

• Do live off past victories. Those successes will boost your image and provide you with the right attitude.

• The greater the risk often times provides the greatest reward.

As the supreme teacher in the movie "Kung Fu Panda" stated, "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift – that is why they call it the present."

Tim Moraghan is principal of Aspire Golf Consulting in Long Valley, N.J. He can be reached at tmoraghan11@comcast.net or 908-635-7978.