Executive Director’s Message
Lead Me, Follow Me or Get Out of My Way. Leaving a Legacy. By Eddie Ainsworth, PGA
My Fellow Colorado PGA Professionals, You’ve probably heard or read this quote numerous times. It shows up repeatedly in business books about leadership. It’s a personal statement of persistence, of independence in accomplishing something and of not simply accepting status quo or merely bumping along in life. It means that I look for others to decisively lead me, to actively follow me or to step aside. It’s a reminder that there has to be a decisive leader and active followers, not Eddie Ainsworth, PGA and Tom Bauerle, Colorado PGA REACH Trustee and owner of something in Colorado Golf and Turf at the 2018 Masters Tournament. between. “We herd sheep, we Board of Directors has decided to launch Colorado drive cattle, we lead people. PGA REACH LEAD because it is their desire to assist Lead me, follow me or get out in the development of our Colorado PGA Professionals of my way.” - General George S. into leadership roles. This development could put you Patton on the road to leadership responsibilities for our PGA Members who desire to serve and make a difference I really like this quote because on nonprofit boards within their communities or Eddie Ainsworth, PGA the leader is giving his followers along a guided path to leadership positions within CEO/Executive Director the option to follow or lead our Association. Either way, whatever your desire is, themselves. I think too often Colorado PGA the selected candidates for this program will grow in leaders become more focused their leadership capacity and be able to have greater eainsworth@pgahq.com on being followed; they lose influence in our communities. Please let me encourage sight of the ultimate goal. It you to apply as this will be well worth your time; and should not matter who is leading the relationships you make with your fellow Colorado who as long as everyone gets PGA REACH LEAD Class will be something you will to where they are trying to always treasure. go. By giving someone the option to lead the way, you are Legacy. It’s something we quite often hear talked empowering them and probably about. I believe Jack Nicklaus summed it up best motivating them. Leadership in last week at The Masters Par 3 Tournament after his this sense is less about leading grandson G.T.’s hit a Hole in One. When asked where and more about influencing. he’d rank G.T.’s ace among his Masters memories, an emotional Nicklaus couldn’t hold back tears. “No. 1,” Influence is what I’d like to talk he answered. “You know, what I did didn’t make any to you about today. Influence is difference to me.” Jack later tweeted and stated that the capacity to have an effect he doesn’t know if he ever had a more special day on a on the character, development golf course. or behavior of someone or something. It’s about making Twenty-one years after my first and only visit to The a difference. That is why your continued on page 8
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