What’s a job you would like to do for just one day? Well thanks WordPress for asking… here’s my take.
Throughout my career in the construction industry, I’ve primarily worked in office roles related to project controls, change management, and contract management. While these roles have been crucial in the success of our projects, I’ve always felt a bit disconnected from the actual work that takes place on the job site, even as someone that currently works on the job site and spends as much time as I can out in the field already. That’s why I would want to spend some time in the field doing manual labor – even if it’s just for one day.
As a leader, I think it’s essential to be able to relate to your team members’ experiences in the capacity that they’re being managed in. And while I may understand the technical aspects of construction projects and how they’re managed, I can’t fully grasp what it’s like to be working in the field every day. I have been able to spend a significant amount of time in the field over the last year, but I do think it does become a different experience when you’re actually the one doing the work.
That’s why I’d like to take at least a day to work alongside our field employees, doing manual labor and experiencing firsthand what it’s like to be part of the crew. By doing so, I hope to gain an even deeper perspective and appreciation for the work that our field employees do. I believe that by understanding their experience, I’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions and offer solutions that are rooted in their reality. That being said, I realize that being able to do this is a luxury – as projects are time-driven, and it would take the right situation for me to be able to do this while not taking away from my daily responsibilities, and for me to be working in a manner that doesn’t distract the team from completing their tasks along the way. I think I can handle that, but again… needs the right situation.
I’m not going into this experience thinking that I’ll become an expert in a single day. That’s why I would rather do it for longer than a day. However, I do hope to gain enough context to help me better understand what and how much our field employees are capable of. I want to learn about the challenges they face, and the solutions they come up with to overcome them. By doing so, I hope to gain a greater appreciation for their work and be better equipped to lead them.
Working in the field for a day may seem like a small gesture (and done poorly it can result like this, but I believe it can have a significant impact on how we lead our teams. By taking the time to experience what our employees do on a day-to-day basis, we can gain a deeper appreciation for their work and be better equipped to lead them to success. I encourage other leaders in the construction industry to consider taking a day to work in the field and gain a new perspective on the industry we all work in.
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