This post discusses the some leadership concepts and the relationship to field labor (or home office labor) productivity.<\/p>\n
Recently, my friend and colleague, Dick Troell authored an excellent post regarding field labor productivity<\/a>.\u00a0 Dick\u2019s discussion drips with ideas that show his experience and understanding of the men and women that perform construction in the field.<\/p>\n First, I wish to clarify my background and experience.\u00a0 I have many years of experience in the field and on projects throughout the world.\u00a0 However, I have never welded a diameter inch of pipe, placed a cubic centimeter of concrete, erected an ounce of steel, and so forth.\u00a0 I am not a product of the trades; rather, from the managerial ranks.<\/p>\n There is a leadership component of the managerial challenge.\u00a0 Leadership can have several positive influences on the labor component of the job.\u00a0 In exhibiting this leadership, my experience suggests several beneficial effects result.<\/p>\n The main point of this discussion is the old saying that you need to walk a mile in my\/their (field labor) shoes.\u00a0 Applied, this means that a manager invoking leadership spends time in the environment of the field labor.\u00a0 Common sense to most; but, this discussion is for emphasis.\u00a0 If a manager has a vertical project, he or she must go up (or down) the work.\u00a0 This is needed, even if you have personal fears of height or means of transportation.\u00a0 Traveling up the side of a 40 story building in an open freight elevator during high, cold winds is not pleasant.\u00a0 This is particularly true for me, as I have some discomfort with heights.\u00a0 Similarly, if the project is linear, then you travel the path, right of way, etcetera.<\/p>\n This need to \u201cwalk in their shoes\u201d is true regardless of the field conditions.\u00a0 In fact, the more severe the field conditions, the more there is a need for the manager to experience these conditions.\u00a0 If it is hot, get out there and sweat.\u00a0 If it is cold, put on your protective clothing and get cold.\u00a0 If it is muddy, don your boots and get muddy.\u00a0 If it is raining, get wet.\u00a0 It is essential that you experience these conditions and that the workers see you in their environment.\u00a0 Being in and around the works under their conditions lets the workers know that you are interested and caring.\u00a0 These are essential leadership attributes.<\/p>\n The first real project that I managed (after leaving military service) was (oddly enough) in a shipyard.\u00a0 Our company was a subcontractor in a multiple ship build.\u00a0 Prior to my arrival, the crews had completed 17 installations.\u00a0 The man-hour consumption was approximately 17 thousand per ship.\u00a0 I spent many hours in the work spaces (hot, humid and dirty) looking at the work and talking to the workers.\u00a0 Changes were implemented.\u00a0\u00a0 The last unit consumed six thousand man-hours (compared to the 17 thousand prior) for the same work.<\/p>\n I was often asked how this was accomplished.\u00a0 In reality, the main body of changes and adjustments were a direct result of comments and observations offered by the workers.\u00a0 Largely, these men and women knew both the problems and the solutions.\u00a0 It was a matter of implementation.\u00a0 Further, they all knew that I cared.<\/p>\n During the time in the field, listen to the producers (and for that matter, the non-producers).\u00a0 The producers will provide insight into key issues.\u00a0 The non-producers are volunteering to leave.\u00a0 Oblige them.<\/p>\n As the disruptions to productivity are identified, implement corrective action as quickly as possible.\u00a0 Choosing the items that are easier to implement (some refer to it as \u201clow hanging fruit\u201d) creates the perception of progress.\u00a0 This results in a positive influence and it is contagious.\u00a0 Tracking cause and effect using managerial data or Key Performance Indicators (KPI\u2019s) is needed and instructive.\u00a0 In this regard, focus on high quality data.<\/p>\n In other posts, industry studies and standards have been identified.\u00a0 These authoritative references can be related to the specific field experiences as one lives within the actual field conditions.\u00a0 This understanding is further enhanced by the feedback from the field labor personnel.<\/p>\n A good example is the impact of changed work on worker productivity.\u00a0 As has been presented in other posts, there are several authoritative studies and analyses on this effect.\u00a0 Through field observations and discussions, one can gain the understanding and expertise to apply these standards to the specific conditions on the specific job.<\/p>\n In summary, leadership is an essential factor in development of project management expertise.\u00a0 Young managers can benefit from application of this important factor.\u00a0 More experienced managers need to be ever mindful of leadership considerations as well.\u00a0 Good luck in managing that job site and home office.<\/p>\n This post discusses the some leadership concepts and the relationship to field labor (or home office labor) productivity. Recently, my friend and colleague, Dick Troell authored an excellent post regarding field labor productivity.\u00a0 Dick\u2019s discussion drips with ideas that show his experience and understanding of the men and women that perform construction in the field. 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