There’s a lesson I was reminded of recently that applies just as much to leadership as it does to our fields: What people hear isn’t always what we say.
In a recent conversation about my role at Duke University, I found myself describing aspects of the landscape work connected to the property. That part is true, but it wasn’t the whole truth. And when the full picture isn’t clearly communicated, people will naturally fill in the gaps.
The reality is that my primary responsibilities are managing the maintenance of multi-use recreational sports fields and spaces. These areas carry the demands of athletic activity, heavy event traffic, and constant use. This work reflects the core requirements and professional standards that guide our industry at every level. That distinction matters. Not for title’s sake, but because clarity defines understanding, and understanding shapes perception.
The truth is that our roles have evolved. We are no longer synonymous with traditional playing surfaces. Expectations today are defined by function, use and demands that extend into the surrounding spaces, infrastructure, event footprint and the overall experience. We are managing entire environments, not just fields. And with that evolution comes an even greater responsibility to communicate clearly what our work truly encompasses.
That’s where ownership comes in. Ownership isn’t just about taking responsibility for what we do on the field, it’s about owning how we communicate our work, our roles, and our profession. It’s about making sure that what we say reflects what we do, so others don’t have to guess, interpret, or redefine it for us.
As members of the SFMA, we are responsible for representing our profession with clarity and accuracy. Whether speaking to peers, administrators or the public, our words shape how sports field management is understood and valued.
Here’s the challenge to you and me: Say it clearly. Say it completely. And say it in a way that leaves no question about the impact of what we do.
Define the field. Own the work. Shape the profession.
As leaders in sports field management, we deal in the details every day. We know that a field is more than grass. It’s structure, preparation, recovery and intention. However, if we don’t communicate that clearly — if we soften it, generalize it, or assume others will interpret it correctly — we risk undervaluing the very work we’re called to represent.
— Alpha Jones, CSFM