In our business, it’s natural to feel the pressure of fast-paced projects. However, it’s important to remember that we’re all in this together, supporting each other as we navigate the challenges that come our way. I recently had a conversation with a person overseeing one of our regional offices about how we all have roles to fill and how it is important to acknowledge everyone’s contribution. Our regional leader articulated perfectly how it all fits together. I wish I had recorded his comments.
When somebody on-site told them they had to do everything by themselves and wished they had more support, the leader pointed out several things.
- He mentioned how someone had downloaded the plans on Procore, so people had the latest version to work from.
- He mentioned how the shop drawings had been successfully secured, posted, and marshaled through the approval process.
- He mentioned the pre-fab that had been designed and arrived on site and how it lowered the time needed on the project to install.
- He mentioned that change directives and requests for information were being answered and sent in so we had an accurate handle on the project’s scope.
- He pointed out our customers were calling him and others about the project, easing the burden of the on-site staff.
He told me he didn’t mention it to the person on site, but he should have acknowledged that bills were being paid and payroll was being deposited. The project was being billed, and deposits were being made so the company could stay in business. We have people doing classroom instruction so people can gain an understanding of the craft and advance in their careers.
Our regional manager didn’t undervalue the person’s role on-site, but he wanted to politely remind him that he should consider the work of others.
Inside any large business (we have 187 coworkers), you will occasionally encounter people who think they are alone. Sometimes, they come right out and say, “Only if they had to do my job would they understand how bad I have it.” At first glance, this seems like a reasonable comment—until you dig deeper.
Our electricians don’t need to come into the office and process invoices to understand the value of the accounting clerks better. They need to respect the accounting staff and what they do.
It works that way with every position within our company. We don’t each need to do each other’s jobs to appreciate them, any more than others need to struggle with illness or disease to know it’s hard.
Treating others the way you want to be treated can be boiled down to one word: respect. If each team member respects the need for others to get their job done (or get paid at the end of the week), we all win.
Whose job is the most important inside the company? No matter where you work, it’s yours. Why? Because it is what you control. But it is important we don’t forget everybody else because they are helping us get our jobs done.
If you respect others, they will respect you for what you do.