John Pugliese, CEO of Landscapes Unlimited / Landscapes Golf Management, shares his thoughts on leadership, the inspiration of Ted Lasso and the construction of his ideal day.

The First Call: In one sentence, describe what you do for a living.
John Pugliese: Listen, comprehend, lead with intention, get the hell out of the way and provide support.

TFC: What are key elements to leadership or to being a good leader? 
JP: Know your business well enough to recognize people when they deserve recognition. Never miss an opportunity to ask someone if there’s anything you can do for them or what the company can be doing better.

TFC: What changes, if any, have you made based on the events of the past year? 
JP: Gosh, what hasn’t changed!? We’ve made a point of trying to identify early on what long-term benefits could be derived from the often-temporary changes to our work environment and nurture those opportunities. I’m particularly proud of how communication has adapted and improved throughout the company as we’ve navigated the challenges and uncertainty of the past 18 months.

TFC: Knowing what you know today, what professional advice would you give a younger you?
JP: There are a lot of incredibly impressive people out there doing some pretty amazing things. Work hard, then work harder.

TFC: What was your path to the golf industry?
JP: I was working part time on a project for Landscapes while I was finishing my MBA in Austin, Texas. Over the course of the project, I was exposed to the relationship-based nature of this industry, and was increasingly in awe of the tenure and culture that existed at this company. I was hooked and the opportunity to come onboard full time presented itself. I’ve never looked back.