7 Severn

This week’s discussion is of a true story and reveals a little on my own first steps into Self Help.

My Employed background for around 14 years, has been in Supervision. Previous to this, I would often step-up during the absence of Supervisors. During
this time, I have led teams of 2 to 33 individuals.

Now those of you who currently have or have had teams of your own. Will know that a day in the working lives of the individual team members, can go from very well, to very bad days and more often than not – very quickly. We wear many hats and favour none.

This particular episode had been brewing without my knowledge. That is until I had walked in on the early shift. The day was a Monday – we didn’t work weekends. The time was around 05:40hrs and the start time was 06:00hrs. So, everyone should be fresh from their weekend, right?

This could not have been more wrong! Two members of the team we’re literally about to go to town on one another. What’s more. At that time in the morning, there was no Management to turn to for support and advice. It was down to me as the senior figure onsite and this needed to be dealt with immediately.

I used the one and only tool in the box to diffuse the situation. Having earned the respect of the full team. They were instructed to back off from one another and advised the matter is not over. I would meet with them both individually over the next day or so. If they continued in the meantime, they faced Suspension. They agreed. It was further agreed that other staff present weren’t to get involved.

In reality. apart from gaining statements from those involved and witnesses, then passing onto a manager. I didn’t know what to do if faced with this again. Losing the respect of the team wasn’t an option and Supervisors were instructed to implement informal ways in dealing with staff.

Having reported the incident to Management later that day and pending statements. I finished my shift and visited the Self-Help area of a bookstore – One of my favourite places for inspiration. Fair few hours were spent. Determined as I was, to have a way of dealing with such issues. I kept returning to the same book – which I left with that day.

The next day, having arrived at work with an idea to put to the Manager and fellow Supervisor, I collated Statements and informed everyone that a new system would be implemented for our team and would be introduced at our next Team Brief. The chosen book was called: “Teach Yourself Leadership.” The idea we utilised from the book was called: PRIDE. Which stands for: Purpose, Reasoning, Ideas, Decision, Execution. Which I am happy to say, was well received by all.
The individuals on this occasion were dealt with under current company procedures.

I brought this into play with further teams and created a Traffic Light System in dealing with individuals. This was utilised further with the other Supervisors teams in further companies.

The point I’m making is this. When the odds appear to be stacked against you. Respond. Do not react. We may not have the answer right there and then. Yet we give ourselves room to manoeuvre, and with clear thoughts, reach a resolve. As in this particular case – From Respect came PRIDE.

Thank you for reading.

Next week, we’re wrapping things up with the “End of Series 14/14”.