MAINTENANCE MINUTE By Mark Tyler Expectations
When I was growing up, it was common for people to work for the same company for an entire career. Today people seem to come and go from jobs as fast as a spinning tail rotor. The decision to invest in young inexperienced mechanics is sometimes met with opposition when history shows they will not hesitate to move on to the next shiny thing.
The Department of Labor Statistics reports the average employment tenure is just over four years. So why would any company invest time, dollars, and a full-time employee slot on any new hire? The answer is: we have to.
Part of the solution is to rigorously evaluate the risk of a new hire becoming a short-term tenure on the front side, then educate, build, and promote. Simon Sinek says, “If you hire people just because they can do a job, they’ll work for your money. But if you hire people who believe what you believe, they’ll work for you with blood and sweat and tears.”
I asked myself, how does Chick-fil-A seem to have a never-ending supply of impressive employees? A quick internet search reveals the answer. Chick-fil-A takes a people-first approach. It hires based on character, attitude, and alignment with the company’s core values, which are: “We‘re here to serve… We pursue what is right... We are purpose driven… We lead by example.”
When conducting job interviews, I always share the company’s vision and ask the candidate to share their vision. Most applicants simply find it difficult to share their vision or their expectations because they haven’t been asked to consider them before. This led me to create a list of expectations and non-negotiables of my own as a guide for them. This helps employer and employee to be certain they share common goals from the start.
These expectations are for everyone, not just the mechanics: Show Up On Time and Ready to Work Look, Act, and Be Professional
Act with Integrity – Always Do the Right Thing No Matter the Cost Maintain a Positive Attitude Be Committed Be Dependable Be Trustworthy Communicate
Serve Others – Always Go the Extra Mile Invest in Personal & Professional Growth Be a Courageous Self Leader Be Disciplined
Maintain Your House
Be Humble – No One Person is Greater Than the Team Excellence Always
The non-negotiables: Never lie, cheat or steal.
This is not too much to ask of someone who is maintaining airworthiness of an aircraft. The expectations and non-negotiables that I have for my crew are not easy, but they are achievable. As a self-leader, these expectations become my intentions. I live my life and operate on purpose and with purpose. I believe it’s time for everyone to step up to another level… to be intentional. This is not a game. Aircraft maintenance is a serious business. Remember that excellence is the expectation when you sign your name stating, “I certify this aircraft is in airworthy condition.”
About the author: Mark Tyler dedicated the majority of his career to serving the helicopter EMS community, from base mechanic to director of maintenance. As vice president and general manager of Precision Aircraft Services, Tyler now serves helicopter operators from many sectors, including air ambulance, law enforcement, private owners, etc. When not at work, he can be found spending time with his family or sitting in a tree stand.
20 July/Aug 2024
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