We were lucky to catch up with Jo Wallen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jo, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

I love this question, and it’s something I always ask when talking to people. I enjoy hearing about their defining moments, and I think it resonates with me because I’ve had quite a few myself. What I find fascinating is that, at the time these moments occurred, I had no idea they would be so pivotal in shaping my career and mindset. The more I reflect, the more defining moments I recognize.

The first significant moment happened when I was 15 years old at the world’s most recognizable tennis academy. The owner called my dad and me into his office for a meeting. During this meeting, he told me I wasn’t “good enough” to play professionally. He did offer to help me get a college scholarship, but as a 15-year-old girl, all I heard was that I wasn’t good enough. As we left the office, my dad asked me what I thought and what I wanted to do. My exact words were, “F*** him, I want to give it my all and try to accomplish my dream.”

So how did that moment shape me? I decided I wasn’t going to let anyone tell me I couldn’t achieve what I wanted. I trained with my dad, who believed in me, and surrounded myself with others who supported me. So, never let anyone tell you that you are not good enough.

Fast forward, you might ask, did I make it? That’s a tricky question because what does “making it” really mean? In his coaching world, it meant being one of the top 10 players globally. By that metric, no, I didn’t make it. But in my world, and as others would agree, my definition of making it means being a well-rounded person with an incredible family and managing the world’s largest tennis facility. So yes, I MADE IT. I never listened to the doubters, worked my butt off, always with passion for everything I did, and used a lot of common sense!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I first picked up a tennis racquet at the age of four, and from the moment the ball touched the strings, I was hooked. At twelve, I moved to Florida to train at the world’s best tennis academy at that time. I traveled the globe as a junior tennis player and then as a professional. My playing career ended due to an injury, leaving me frustrated. However, I knew I wanted to stay in the tennis industry, even though I wasn’t sure what that would entail.

I began coaching, earned my coaching certificates, and landed a job in Lexington, Kentucky, overseeing a junior program. There, I applied the skills I had gained from my travels, now within a corporate setting. One day, an opportunity I couldn’t turn down presented itself. Though I didn’t know everything about the role, I knew I was resourceful and could learn anything necessary. I became the General Manager of the club where I had been teaching. I transitioned from on-court duties to managing people, overseeing budgets and finances, handling HR issues, hiring and firing, customer service, and facility management.

I should mention, I never went to college! I found ways to learn what I needed and was always open and honest about my limitations, learning something new every day.

Today, I am the General Manager at the world’s largest public tennis facility. I oversee a staff of 85, including teaching professionals and court and grounds personnel. And guess what? I’m still learning every day. I’ve developed my own culture standards and leadership philosophy, and what I’m most proud of are the relationships I’ve built since that first day in Lexington, which remain a significant part of my personal and professional life.

Any advice for managing a team?

When I started my current job, I encountered various issues. Although I heard different sides of each story, I refused to form any preconceived ideas and knew I needed to assess the situation myself. Once I understood the issues, the real challenge began: making tough decisions. These decisions, though difficult, were essential for setting standards and gradually transforming our culture. Here are some key principles I developed and implemented:

– Establish clear processes
– Ensure staff understand these processes
– Maintain accountability for everyone
– Prioritize staff development
– Treat people with consistent respect
– Practice radical candor
– Build and sustain trust

Without all these pieces in place, trust cannot be established.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

I tell people that being told “no” is just a “no” for that moment in time. If someone says no, we should reframe it until it becomes a yes!

Our business has many layers, and the approval process can be quite tedious. Before presenting anything to the C-Suite, make sure you have everything in order. You can’t just throw out an idea; you need to be prepared with the business rationale, understand the implications, and anticipate all the questions they might have.

Since I didn’t go to college, I have embraced a growth mindset. I know I don’t know everything, so I continue to learn from anyone and everyone, every single day.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Joanne Moore Wallen
• Facebook: Joanne Moore Wallen
• Linkedin: Joanne Wallen

Image Credits
211007: National Cmapus sign in front: Manuela Davies Purple: Manuela Davies Building: Manuela Davis Last one: Myself