Are You an Obedient Technician? Part I

Does your manager want you to fit in? Fit in as in, “do what you’re told and don’t make waves.” While most manager might not necessarily be so brash, this mentality is still often there, running under the visible surface.

As a manager, my one of my greatest obstacles over the years was getting techs to adhere to a baseline set of policies and procedures. While one could question my ability to assemble a quality team, almost all managers deal with this. For the record, I am not a big believer in too many policies and procedures. Some important ones are techs arriving at work on time, completed paperwork turned in on a timely basis, clean trucks, wearing clean and proper uniforms, proper care and handling of company tools and documentation of additional work to name a few.

When managers’ time becomes occupied with policing adherence, it takes time away from both business and employee development. I would much rather spend time helping a coworker with career development than I would making sure his truck is clean or chasing after him to clean it.

You are working for a decent manager and with a great team if your manager is not spending too much time on making sure the policies and procedures are being followed (as long as they are being followed). Feel good in knowing that you and your coworkers are doing a good job. At this point your manager should be totally involved and immersed in business and personnel development…unless you work for a large corporation that has their managers heading down too many rabbit trails, chasing too many rabbit tails…but we won’t go there right now.

In Part II I’ll talk about making waves…