to be concerned about the consequences of not making an effort e.g .it might affect their promotion prospects, it could result in disciplinary action or their job might become less secure
It takes strength and courage to admit you are wrong.
The golden rule is to start as you mean to go on, but supervisors can restart at any time. They can repent of past mistakes and acknowledge concerns and failures. It takes strength and courage to admit you are wrong but, let’s face it, you might be new to supervision or untrained, and now you want to set things straight. If, for example, the work team members have drifted into starting work a little later (having coffee first thing instead of starting work) a supervisor might consider these ten ideas, if not already in use:
1. Making a daily operational meeting the very first task of the day (every day)
2. Starting the meeting on time i.e. at the moment people are meant to arrive
3. Allocating the ‘best’ jobs to the people who arrive on time
4. Distributing less good jobs to latecomers or letting the early
ones allocate these jobs
5. Reminding people that repeated lateness can attract Disciplinary Action
6. Making sure all have a copy of the Discipline Code and understand it fully
7. Reminding everyone that good team-working, pulling together, helping each other out, older ones mentoring younger ones etc. is what is expected in the team now
8. Explaining that ‘continuous improvement’ in everything we do is the order of the day
9. Encouraging the team to impose group discipline - why should the boss have to do it?
10. Zero tolerance of slacking because it shows disrespect to the rest of the work group.
So, for the moment, good luck 'taking charge' of your team and, of course, in your efforts to get that impression over to your employer!
In ‘You Need to Lead Part 2’ Frank will continue the theme of supervision and explore some of the key differences between leadership and management, and why Head Groundsmen and Head Greenkeepers need to do both.
Responding to the Recession
Keeping Yourself Competitive: A Guide to Survival and Success
At this difficult time Frank’s very topical and critically important workshop: Keeping Yourself Competitive -a
a Guide
to Survival and Success is attracting a lot interest around the country. Frank, and his guest speakers from the business and operational side of the turf care industry, will deliver strong messages on topics that include:
• Who runs the organisation? You decide! • Getting the best decisions for everyone • Running the organisation properly • Marketing your organisation properly • Working Well with Owners, Boards and Committees • Building a team that competes with the best in your area • Keeping your good customers and getting more of them!
• Cultivating a competitive and flexible workforce in your workplace
• Budgets, business plans and shaping a successful future for your team
• Alliances: how BIGGA, Pitchcare and the trade can help you be the best!
This is advance notice that dates and venues for this BIGGA and Pitchcare approved event will be announced soon. If you and your colleagues would like to attend the workshop please contact Frank in the first instance for the latest developments. Frank can be reached by telephone on 01908 520202, email
frank@pitchcare.com or via his personal website
www.franknewberry.com
You may be his next victim!
The day had started wild. A force eight ‘gale’ was blowing and the horizontal rain was lashing against the rattling window of my hotel. It was one of those mornings that demanded a second, third and fourth cup of coffee, a cosy fire and a good book. But that was not going to be possible. Certainly not today of all days. Today I had to stand in a field for eight hours!
I pulled up the bed covers and pondered how I had arrived at this situation. What had drawn me to this place? What right-minded person would undertake such folly? The hands on the alarm clock reached their allotted time. I showered. It was cold and raining outside. I dressed and put on my badge that told others who I was. As I exited the hotel room a voice called across the corridor. “Would you like a lift? I'm going your way.” I know now that I should have said no, but the company and shelter was welcome. I ran to his vehicle which had been parked at a jaunty angle without
regard to others. He had one of those American cars, smaller than I had expected and lacking the chrome and adornments of larger models of this marque. By this time I was soaked and some of my papers had blown across the car park. I decided not to retrieve them. I stood in the rain while he fumbled for his keys. He searched every pocket, every orifice. Eventually he retraced his steps in an effort to remember where he had put them. They were in the drivers door! His car was full of magazines. I
wondered what his profession might be. Strewn over these was a raincoat. A discarded, half empty, packet of crisps adorned the footwell. Finally, he positioned himself behind the steering wheel. The keys were still in the door. At the second attempt he started the car. It was immediately obvious that he had not mastered the art of clutch control nor, indeed, gear selection, as we jolted forwards towards a wooden fence. Reverse gear was somehow selected and he
manoeuvred the vehicle out on to the lane that led away from the hotel. The sleeping policemen did not stand a chance. Neither did the exhaust as his car bottomed out on the traffic calming devices. My head hit the roof. The crisps took to the air and settled on my shoes. This was to happen ten times more before we reached the main highway. Once on the highway it was just a
short trip to our destination. I reminded him that looking forward was always a good idea when driving! I remember thinking that, if he nudged my arm just one more time, I might have to punch him. On arrival, we were directed ‘enthusiastically’ to a vacant parking space. I retrieved what was left of my papers, wiped the crumbs from my shoes, thanked him for the lift and trudged off to face the elements and the long day ahead. It suddenly occured to me “Was that him?”
Be afraid, be very afraid ...
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