Lessons From The Foreman

Len is a foreman for a construction crew in the bustling Oil Sands region of Northern Alberta. He is a little rough around the edges, uses some fairly colourful language and is a little on the loud side. My guess that his personality is the result of working for many years with mostly men in a noisy environment. You know how guys talk when there are few women around? Len is definitely one of the boys.

In our conversation at the airport, as we both awaited flights, we spoke of many things. Two things in particular got my attention: something his father taught him as well as how he has found a way to reduce incidents and accidents on the job.

"My Dad always told me to make sure you have a lot of paper in your wallet," said Len referring to having several trades tickets and certifications. "Dad said that once you get those papers, ain't nobody able to take that stuff away from you. You always have that."

"The more you know, the more you learn, the easier life gets," I added.

"They can't suck the learning out of your head," Len smiled.

It's a simple self-development philosophy really: the more you know, the more you've been certified, the more paper you carry, the more you will be paid. Why? Because you're more valuable.

As Len and I sat at the airport, we also talked about safety in the workplace.

"I've got a crew of guys who work 'twenty-on' (twenty days on the job before they get days off). They usually work tens or twelves (ten or twelve-hour shifts) and the first three days back from days-off are tough," he said. "The guys are still off-work mentally. I've got to watch over them a little more at that time."

"But the worst," he said leaning in toward me, "is the three days just before they head home. When I see guys losing it - yelling at other guys, I know they're not thinking about the job. They're tired and their brains have already gone home even if their bodies are still at work. That's the most dangerous time. When they get like that, I make sure that we have a few extra toolbox meetings (mini safety meetings to help re-focus the guys). Keep them focused. Keep them present and we all get to go home, safely."

Are you losing it at work for no reason? If you are or someone you work with is, then they're not focused. They're not mentally present and something could happen that could affect others.

Attitude Adjustment: How often are you just letting disruptive behaviour slide? You don't have to be in management to take responsibility on the job. Check in with co-workers who seem a little edgy or unfocused. Help figure out what's going on in their world. If you don't, they could say or do something that could cause the loss of a good customer, a good working relationship or even a life. It's up to you to make sure that the work you do everyday doesn't get undermined by someone who isn't present and focused. It's your workplace too. Step up.

Kevin Burns
Author & Attitude Adjuster
Adjusting Attitudes in Employee Engagement - Service Leadership - Corporate Safety

Toll-free 1-877-BURNS-11

www.kevburns.com