Evolve Or Be Left Behind, Says Industry Veteran

In fact, he says those in a position of leadership must always be striving to adapt in order to futureproof the industry. 

“You constantly have to evolve, anyone who thinks they can stay the way they were 10 years ago in the way that you deal with people are already behind the eight ball,” he tells the latest episode of the ClubLIFE Podcast released today.

Danny says it’s the type of skill that was a learned experience and something that didn’t come naturally when he began his journey in management. 

“If you think about it, you get trained how to pull a beer, you get trained how to deal with a poker machine payout, but you actually don’t get trained on how to interact with your fellow staff,” he says.

“You get promoted and you’re expected to know the job… it’s about learning what your impact is and what’s the best way to deal with that impact, and in my case, I had a lot of learning to do.”

A six-decade veteran of the industry, Danny began his career at Granville Bowling Club and Parramatta Leagues Club, before going on to leadership positions at Guildford Leagues, Balmain Leagues, Panthers Group and, for the past 10 years, Wests Illawarra.

He says it’s crucial for the future of the NSW club industry that the leaders of today understand the role they play in ensuring a viable future.

“There was something at Parramatta that I’ve always remembered — if you’re enjoying the water from the well, respect the people who dug the well,” he says.

“Anyone in a leadership role has to enjoy the fact that they’ve received a privilege running a club, because all those people many years ago who put the effort and time into getting that club meeting the needs of that community and to meet the needs of the people in that area, you have a responsibility to keep delivering it.

“To do that, you need to be able to adapt and adjust to what’s happening in your community. Drive your business, but grow your people, and if I can leave the industry in a situation where the next generation can enjoy that sort of journey I’ve had, then I’ve done well.”

Among the discussion in a wide-ranging podcast chat, Danny discusses his time working at the Parramatta Leagues Club during the football side’s golden era, the chaos of the Super League war while at Balmain Leagues Club, his passion for the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, and some of the medium- and long-term challenges facing the industry.

“The hardest thing for the industry is the speed of change — at a government level, legislation level, technology and expectation,” he tells the ClubLIFE Podcast.

“[In the long term] the capital cost of running our businesses… once upon a time a budget of $10,000 did a lot, now a budget of a million dollars barely gets you anywhere. The cost of power is now going to cripple businesses. Unless you’re thinking about energy efficiency and sustainability, you won’t be here in 10 years because you can’t afford it.”

He also discusses his passions away from work and how it feels being the odd one out in a family full of lawyers.

Click on the link below to hear the full interview with Danny Munk in the thirteenth episode of the ClubLIFE Podcast, which is also available via ClubLIFE.com.au, Apple, Spotify and wherever else you get your podcasts.

If you have a suggestion on who might make an interesting guest for a future ClubLIFE Podcast episode, get in touch with the team by emailing [email protected].