Have you ever wondered what it takes to advance beyond the ranks of head golf professional? What skills and abilities will you need to call upon to lead an organization that is spending millions and millions of dollars in property acquisition? And if you were given a blank canvas, could you create the golf experience you felt people always wanted, but didn't knew existed? Today, we get to spend time with a person who has done these things and who is being recognized by the PGA of America as the Executive of the Year. That word, executive, it isn't what he set out to become, yet he is somehow become one of the very best and in our upcoming conversation, we get to understand how he has become the leader he is. Our guest today is my great and longtime friend, he is the Chief Operating Officer for the Union League in Philadelphia, he is Sean Palmer.
In our time together with Sean, we will discuss:
Barriers and how to remove them. Sean unpacks why he feels golf is getting in its on way at times and how he and he his team began focusing on removing the many obstacles standing in the way as they creating the culture and environment at Union League.
White sheet meetings. Most meetings start with an agenda or a list of topics. They don't when you meet with Sean Palmer. They start with a white sheet of paper and a chance to reimagine how things are done.
There is service and then there is hospitality. They aren't the same things. Sean will share why he and his team focus on hospitality and they way they want to make you feel when you are around them.
If you are a numbers person, listen to the advice Sean received from his mentor and the discovery that followed. There comes a point where numbers cannot drive every decision. There comes a point where you must cast the numbers aside and go for it. Sean will share what happened when he did.
There is a skill and ability that Sean has had to call upon over the last 11 years in his evolving roles at Union League. If any of us are going to become leaders, we will need it as well. Sean will take us through the approach he has taken to develop this skill which has helped Union League become the force in golf it has.
To connect with Chandler:
Follow or DM on Instagram @ theinwardninepodcast
Email: podcast@archive22.com
Music Credits:
Opening: 'Clocks' by Coldplay
Interlude: 'The Scientist' by Coldplay
Interlude: 'God Put a Smile Upon Your Face' by Coldplay
Closing: 'Almost Home by Ben Rector