484: Hardest Part About Your Job No One Sees

In this episode of Private Club Radio, we shares a man on the street montage from conference, where we asked club pros and club leaders one question, what is the hardest part about your job that nobody sees.

You will hear real answers about the invisible load behind private golf and country clubs, emotional labor, constant feedback from members, time management, staffing challenges, curveballs that test leadership, and the pressure to keep the club experience smooth on the surface.

This episode is for general managers, department heads, golf professionals, and anyone in club management or hospitality leadership who wants an honest look at what great teams carry quietly, and how to lead with consistency, empathy, and culture, without burning out.

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Transcript

Welcome And Episode Setup

SPEAKER_05 0:00

Welcome to the Private Club Radio Show, the show where you get the scoop on life inside private golf and country clubs. I'm your host, Danny Corby, and each episode is a real conversation with club leaders, the pros, the people, and partners who help clubs thrive. We talk leadership, culture, food and beverage, member experiences, member engagement, marketing governance, and so much more. If you want practical ideas, better teams, and a club experience members actually feel and talk about, you're in the right place. Now, welcome to the show. In this episode, we are talking about a little segment I did at conference, a little man on the street segment I was doing at the club data services booth. And I was asking just club managers just some fun questions, some deep questions, just some all-around questions. And one question that I started asking, and it became a really great question, got some really great answers was what's the hardest part about your job that no one sees? And it got some great reactions, some great responses at it. It got some great responses. Because from the outside, a great club looks effortless. The place is humming, the members are happy, events run smooth, the food shows up. And if you do your job right, it's almost like nothing happened. Which is the point. But the weird part is the better you are at your job, the more invisible your job becomes. And I when I asked, I expected quick quick answers like the hours, the emails, the staffing. And yes, those showed up, but what really came through was the hidden layers, the emotional labor, the part that does not neatly fit on the job description, the therapist energy, the shock absorber energy, the I can't bring this home, but I'm definitely carrying it energy. The feedback that comes from love, even when it's delivered like a complaint, the curveballs that show up daily and quietly test your leadership and your sanity, the behind-the-scenes time commitments, the politics, the hiring stress, the balancing act of being open with your team without putting too much on them or opening up. And I wanted you to hear it in your own words, in their own words, not mine. So I'm gonna let a bunch of these clips play through. And I I want you to listen. And as you listen, I want you to notice maybe what you relate to, what you don't relate to, and maybe notice what you've been carrying with you that you never really said out loud. And man, before we get to the episode, what a great conference it was. I know I talked about it last episode, but it was so great seeing so many of you there. It was great being at the club data services booth and engaging with so many people. I had so much fun just meeting and engaging with so many of you fans, so many new connections, re-existing, reconnecting. It was all just so great. And I just want to do a quick, shameless plug. If you are looking for fun entertainment for your club as a really fun member event night, a ton of laughs, gasps, and holy craps, there's excitement, there's mystery, also there's magic, mind reading, and comedy. Dennycorby.com, one of the most fun member event nights you will have, performed for hundreds and hundreds of clubs. Your members will be so happy, you're gonna have a ton of fun, guaranteed. Enough about that though. Let's get to the episode and hear what the club industry had to say about the hardest part about your job that no one sees.

Creating Safe Honest Team Culture

SPEAKER_01 3:23

What is the hardest part about your job that nobody talks about? Actually, interestingly, that's one of the things I've been discussing this week. It's that creating a safe and open and honest environment that everybody can share. Now, to do that, the leader needs to model that. But then the balance between modelling that and not feeling like you're putting too much on the team, that they're then worrying's not the right word, but they're concerned in a nice, empathetic way. That then maybe they go, Well, okay, Ed's got a lot on, maybe personally, whatever it is, don't want to weigh on him. But you want them to be open and honest with you. So that balance, and I don't think it's talked about a lot because of I have my mentors and coaches and friends that I can speak to about it, but you need an element of that at work. It's like finding that like TMI line almost, like without exactly because there's stuff you might want to share, it's stuff you'd want them to share to feel that they can be okay with sharing it. Yeah, it's that balance.

SPEAKER_05 4:25

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 4:26

Sometimes not being recognized, I think, is is is a thing that we all deal with at times, you know. I I don't need a pat on the back every day, but just knowing the one thing I do like about where I'm at now is when the guys come out or ladies come out and they're there. I mean, we only sleep 60 on property on any given day. So the most amount of people that we'll see in a single day could be 120. So it's really finite, it's really defined, and you're now creating uh an experience. Yes, you know, it's very intentional. It is. I mean, what we do is extremely intentional from the touch points to um like the second they land at the airport, you know, we're there to pick them up, we're rolling out the red carpet for them, you know, they're getting into a shuttle from T. You know, our our big thing is is tarmac to T box in 20 minutes. You know, you can't.

SPEAKER_05 5:25

No, that's you can that's that's better than dominoes. That's it. That's better than dominoes.

You Can’t Please Everyone

SPEAKER_03 5:32

And it's and it's great because you know, I have a young lady that worked for me this past season, and we're we're seasonal operations, so it's hard. You know, it's got its challenges as a whole. Yep. But she went and worked at our one of our other clubs, and she sent us a message the other day, and and it and it really warmed my heart. She's like, I'm here and I'm taking care of people, but everybody's talking about Gray Bull, and everybody's talking about how amazing it was and the experiences and how they were taken care of. And she's like, she's like, Thank you guys for letting me have this opportunity, and thank you for for this cool. And to me, that's those are the moments. Yeah, you know, the moments that I think define us as leaders and managers are sometimes when you leave. Because then you really learn the impact that you made in some instances. You know, to me, when people are sad that you're leaving, it shows that you've you've done what you need to or empowered them enough that they feel heard. When there's too much fanfare, you're like, oh, they're just like sure, let me help you to your car. Yeah. Then then you might want to rethink it.

SPEAKER_05 6:41

So here's a plastic container, not a cardboard box that's gonna fall apart.

SPEAKER_03 6:45

Yeah, yeah. Uh I'm gonna need that pen back, sir. You know, that type of thing. Sorry.

SPEAKER_05 6:53

Yeah, yeah. What's the hardest part about your job that nobody sees?

Time, Family, And Silent Stress

SPEAKER_13 6:57

The hardest part is that no matter what, you're not gonna please everybody. You're always doing something wrong no matter how well you think you're doing it. It's hard not to take that personally and let it weigh you down, but I think that's just something that you learn and you know that gets better with experience.

SPEAKER_05 7:11

And what's the hardest part of your job that no one sees?

SPEAKER_02 7:14

The hours and the family time that you miss.

SPEAKER_05 7:17

What's the hardest about hardest part about your job that no one sees?

SPEAKER_00 7:21

Definitely the stress. Uh, just dealing with sometimes we put a lot in our plate and we don't sell anybody. So it's just like you're in silent and you're just going through it.

The Emotional Toll Of Leading

SPEAKER_05 7:32

What's the hardest part? What's the hardest part about your job that nobody sees?

SPEAKER_15 7:35

Ooh, I I think it's the uh honestly the emotional toll of of sort of being there for my staff when when they're going through things. Um, like I said, as a foster parent, I I'm a very emotional person when it comes to people I care about. So um when they're going through tough things, I feel like I'm going through it as well. So um, yeah, that can certainly take a toll. So I you know need an outlet for that. And thankfully, I have a great support system at home to do that.

Carrying Others’ Burdens

SPEAKER_05 7:56

So what's the hardest part about your job that no one sees? That's a great question.

SPEAKER_14 8:01

Wow. Um I I think what people don't see is the is the the burden you carry for others. Um my I always say that my office is a revolving therapist's room. I I should just get a couch and get it over with. And you know, people come in crying, members and staff. And I I have to care, I don't want to say I have to, but as a leader, you you carry that for people. Yeah. And um that's definitely the hardest thing. And I I would kind of piggyback on that and also say that um not bringing it home.

Daily Curveballs And Leadership

SPEAKER_05 8:40

Because you can't, yeah. Yeah. For your family. Yeah. That's good. Uh hardest part about your job that nobody sees.

Time Management And Inbox Reality

SPEAKER_12 8:49

The curveballs. I think every single day it's it's uh it's uh there's different challenges, different curveballs that's uh that's thrown at you. And uh speaking about the leadership that is at Admiral Scope, it gives you an opportunity to reset your mind every single day, coming in knowing that those curve bowls but uh it's how you handle them that defines your leadership style. So I I enjoy that part part of my job.

SPEAKER_05 9:10

Hardest part about your job that no one sees uh managing my own time. What's the hardest part about your job that no one sees?

SPEAKER_18 9:22

Oh, just finding the time to sit and do all the emails and like not have anybody bother me. Yeah, like yeah. Uh and it can be emotionally taxing sometimes, just talking to people talking to me about their personal stuff, which I'm glad they reach out to me. Yeah, but sometimes it can be a little bit emotionally taxing.

Politics And Unseen Value

SPEAKER_00 9:42

What's the hardest part about your job that no one sees? Hardest part about the job is the amount of uh time commitment and the uh and sometimes the politics behind the scenes that you know you what's the hardest part about your job that no one sees?

SPEAKER_02 9:56

Um when I do behind the scenes, people always are relating um my value to visibility, and uh I think that's that's actually the opposite. When I'm not visible, I'm more productive to the club and uh doing the coaching behind the scenes and developing people and putting systems in place and um making sure everybody has what they need to do their job, and um it's unseen, so it's unknown.

Hiring In Small Markets

SPEAKER_05 10:19

Uh hardest part about your job that no one sees figuring out how to use the 24 hours. Well, time management, I like it. Uh, best advice you've ever been given when you realize your value, you need to act on it. That's that's good too. What's the hardest part about your job that no one sees?

SPEAKER_08 10:40

Hardest part, geez. Wow, that's a good one. You stopped me today. Um probably probably hiring staff right now in Corning. Corny's a small town.

SPEAKER_05 10:56

That that constant, like, even though you might know you have a good team, you're just like one away from being gone, you're like, now I gotta replace us. Like, yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. What's the hardest part about your job that no one sees?

Aligning Individuals To Culture

SPEAKER_07 11:08

Um, hardest part about my job. I think trying to manage a lot of different emotional and uh people, you know, people managing people to a standard or a call, uh, a culture, um, although they're individually so different. So trying to manage them to get them to align to our vision um when they may not be having a good day, or they might be dealing with something traumatic or sick or or um stressed about something, and trying to find the right way to motivate them um in their own unique way, and that's that's always been the hardest challenge.

SPEAKER_05 11:43

It's great. Hardest part about your job that no one sees.

unknown 11:47

What do you do?

SPEAKER_17 11:48

Oh the load of everybody's energy that comes to me and they don't realize it.

Absorbing Everyone’s Energy

SPEAKER_05 11:56

The worst. Yeah, because one like I know for me, like one litig, I could be in a great mood, but like someone just comes and you're like, oh no, I just feel it.

SPEAKER_17 12:04

And then you get all those emotions from them. Yeah, yeah. I'm almost like a psychologist for them.

SPEAKER_05 12:12

Yeah, yeah. Yeah, I can see that. I agree. What's one of the hardest parts about your job that no one sees?

Balancing Floor And Desk Time

SPEAKER_19 12:20

Oh, what a good. I think the emotional labor that we do as club managers, you know, our members love the clubs more than anything else. And they come at us with lots of feedback. You know, you're in a feedback-rich environment. Yeah, and uh, and recognizing that it's coming from a place of love, that they care so much about the club that they're really emotional and really passionate about the thing that they're telling you. Um, even if it is if they don't like the chicken salad and our recipe is completely wrong. Um, so I think the emotional hasn't changed for five years. Yeah, exactly. Exactly. It used to be so good, and it's been so bad, but our recipe hasn't changed. And you've checked on, yes, we're using the same recipe, we're actually following it, all of those kind of things. So I think it's the emotional labor that goes into what we do. But I think that's also one of the most rewarding parts is all the emotional labor that you get to do. You get to be with all these families through thick and thin, um, help them do births and marriages and baby showers and celebrations of life and all that. The high schools of the lows. Exactly. I think it's a little bit that's it's my favorite thing, it's also my least favorite thing.

SPEAKER_05 13:26

Yeah. What's the hardest part about your job that no one sees?

SPEAKER_16 13:30

Hardest part about my job is definitely gonna be that balance of what's the right amount of time on the floor, what's the right amount of time at your desk, interacting with people, interacting with members, staff, and just finding that right level and balance of everything?

SPEAKER_05 13:43

Have you found that?

SPEAKER_16 13:45

I think it's gonna be a continuous challenge of it's never gonna be a perfect formula, it's gonna be a different balanced day to day of just what's going on, yeah, time of year. Um, so it's always trying to hit a moving target.

Wanting To Make A Bigger Difference

SPEAKER_05 13:56

The hardest part about your job that no one sees employee management. What's the hardest part about your job that no one sees? Um the fact that you like to make a bigger difference in people's lives than you have the opportunity to do. Or the resources. Best advice you've ever been given. Rocky Marciano, Jeff, keep punching. That's the best advice. Goonies never die. Right.

Consistency And Keeping Your Bucket Full

SPEAKER_04 14:32

Hardest part about your job that no one sees. This is a double-edged sword. The hardest part is how much I absolutely love and when to have all of the employees babysit my kids and watch my dog, and then the next day me wanting to kill every single one of them. Not literally, but uh know what you mean.

SPEAKER_05 14:52

What's the hardest part about your job that no one sees? Hardest part, geez.

SPEAKER_08 15:02

Wow, that's a good one. Probably, probably hiring staff right now in Corning. Corny's a small town. Yeah.

SPEAKER_05 15:10

That that constant, like, even though you might know you have a good team, you're just like one away from being guy and like now I gotta replace us. Like, yeah, exactly. Yeah, exactly. Hardest part of you about your job that no one sees.

SPEAKER_02 15:21

So there I think that was the hardest part of my job that no one sees.

SPEAKER_10 15:25

You know, I gotta tell you, all honesty, I love what I do, I don't look at it like that.

SPEAKER_07 15:34

I don't know, I don't I don't think that way.

SPEAKER_05 15:36

I don't know. What's the hardest part about being a GM that nobody sees?

Closing Reflections And Takeaways

SPEAKER_06 15:42

Um I I think Bobby said it really well in his program. It's that you have to be consistent, persistent, committed. It's it it doesn't stop, it's forever, it's a journey, it's a path. And you know, how do you keep your bucket full? Because if you don't, and there I think everybody and he said it too, is like all of us go through a point where it gets it, you you drain faster than you're filling, yeah, and those are tough times. And um, I don't think it's necessary, I don't think it's specific to our industry. I think a leader in any industry experiences that same thing. It's like, how do you live the brand? How do you demonstrate compassion and empathy and lead and get people to be seen? And how do you do that every day, all the time? And you know, wife, kids, family, all these you know, things in your life have a place and a space that are important, and how do you divide that up? Well, you don't really get to divide yourself up, you have to create yourself as a whole, and how do you do that? Yeah, um, it's a little different, I think, for everybody, but the uh the journey, the weight, the the challenge is the same. How we each do it, that's that's magic dust. It's like how do we do it?

SPEAKER_05 16:58

Hope you all enjoyed some of those takeaways. A lot of the hardest work in clubs is the invisible work. So I don't know if you're a GM listening department head, a pro, a manager, a supervisor, someone just getting into it. Hope you all took something away. Hope you could relate a little bit, and hopefully you maybe work through some of these hardest parts about your job. And that's a fun exercise. You can even ask your your team or your people what's the hardest part about your job that no one sees? And just to see the response, see the reaction. It might be something that you didn't realize. But that's this episode. Until next time, I'm your host, Denny Corby. Catch y'all on the flippity flip.