Page 18 - IEC Insights Jan-Feb2019

FEATURE

and retaining the traditional white-collar Apprentice or Journeyman. Avoiding the means knowing what is needed by the
worker is relatively easy in contrast to “Peter Principle ” is a matter of realizing company, knowing what is needed by the
1
attracting and retaining the traditional that a worker who simply excels at his worker and translating the two into an
blue-collar and/or pink-collar work force. current assignment is not necessarily effective leadership style that preserves
This is true because they present their ready, or even interested in advancement. respect from management and labor. In a
achievements and their career goals Most workers, whether they want it or not, more tactical explanation; this is the ability
neatly laid out on their resume, written will accept a promotion either for fear of to motivate the work force to achieve
in a language that you can relate to and giving the wrong impression if they turn increased productivity and profitability.
understand. Your apprentices, on the it down or out of appreciation for the
other hand, probably haven’t provided recognition of their past accomplishments. As the Construction Industry works
you with a resume, and when you talk An unwanted promotion is easily justified through its current industrialization phase
with them, they don’t tell you that they’re with additional compensation and and principles of Agile Construction®
anxious to put down their tools and fill out perks. An unwanted promotion only become increasingly essential for the
reports for “the office,” or be responsible results in an underperforming, once sustainability of your business, the
for the performance of their coworkers. stellar employee and lost productivity emerging leader must be able to:
and profitability for your business.
Developing your emerging, future leaders 1. See the work. This means that
begins with recognizing them. You The characteristics of an emerging leader by reading the plans and specs
must know what the characteristics and are both behavior and knowledge, but the leader sees enough to not only
behaviors of your future leaders are, and most importantly the ability to combine visualize the final product, but also
what it looks like in their current role, as an the two effectively. In this case effectively visualize the construction process as
it will unfold. This leader isn’t only
1 The Peter Principle: Why Things Always Go Wrong by Dr. Laurence J Peter (2011) responsible for the result but also for
maintaining the constructability of
the project throughout its duration.
FIG. 1: SIS® Example 2. Develop a road map for the team.
This road map takes the form of a
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
(see Figure 1) and forms a model for
communicating, planning and tracking
the project progress and performance.

3. Manage time and resources effectively
and efficiently (see Figure 2). In an
Agile environment managing time and
resources goes far beyond identifying
what your crew will work on today, it
is about looking ahead. Looking ahead
to prepare for installation in the next
few days as well as procurement of
components with effective order lead

FIG. 2: WBS Example FIG. 3: Agile Training

16 Insights Magazine | January/February 2019 | www.ieci.org