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take on the challenges and opportunities the industry presents.
I believe that leadership is a natural choice that people must make in order to better those around them and the organizations they are a part of. Additionally, leadership is a life-long process – one that is full of victories and learning curves. The Leadership Conference in conjunction with the PGA’s 101st Annual Meeting was an incredible experience. During this session, the Executive Chair of YUM! Brands, David Novak, spoke to the importance of recognition in an organization. Whether in recognizing individual team members or the value of a completed project, he discussed how connecting with your team should be at the forefront of any organization’s core values. Showing employees and team members how much they matter to the overall operation can create a unique culture that allows
everyone to be truly successful in their own positions and have authentic ownership to their work. Novak also emphasized self-awareness and how this can play a major role in navigating your own personal leadership ability. I find this information very helpful because I understand the importance of discovering who I am as a leader and what I value most as a PGA Professional during the early stages of my career.
Another aspect I enjoyed being in attendance for was the National Awards Dinner. Having the opportunity to learn about the best the industry has to offer in their respective fields was truly special. I was especially grateful to see my then Director for the PGA Golf Management Program at Mississippi State, Jeff Adkerson, receive the National Horton Smith Award. Seeing him receive this award and being recognized for all of his hard work and dedication to both current students and graduates of the program was motivating for me to continue pushing myself to maybe one day receive a national honor as well. Jeff is a special individual whom I look up to even now as a graduate from Mississippi State. Seeing him receive one of the highest honors the industry has to offer was just icing on the cake for what was an incredible week in Austin!
I am truly grateful for all of the opportunities I was given as a student in the PGA Golf Management Program at Mississippi State. I hope to continue to push myself, learn and grow as a leader and a PGA Professional. I believe, even in leadership, you are never done growing and never done learning. Golf as a business and a sport is constantly evolving and this is what makes me most excited about working in this industry. I hope to continue to help those around me grow and continue to push myself as a leader in both current and future positions that I hold as a PGA Professional.
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