Listening

Developing your listening skills will pay off in big dividends.  When you listen effectively, the speaker feels valued.  The more valued the speaker feels, the more he or she is willing to share.  More information means you can make better decisions and achieve greater results. 

Listening happens on multiple levels because speakers speak on multiple levels.  Experienced listeners use their eyes, ears, voice and heart when they listen.

Eyes	make eye contact with the speaker to let him/her know you are paying attention observe the speaker for facial expressions and body language that will give deeper, and often more accurate, information than just the words that are spoken
Ears	listen for tone and volume of voice to interpret meaning really listen to the words rather than making assumptions or jumping to conclusions
Voice	repeat your interpretation of what the speaker says to confirm understanding when the speaker’s words, expressions, gestures, tone, etc. don’t match, ask questions to find out what the speaker is really trying to tell you
Heart	sincerely commit to listening to the speaker put aside all distractions so you can focus on what is being said treat the speaker with respect even when you disagree with what is being said turn off your judgements and opinions of the speaker and/or what he/she is saying so that you can truly hear and understand

Remember:  Effective listening doesn’t mean you need to agree with the speaker.  It does mean you must understand the speaker’s perspective.  Effective communication results from a willingness to understand even when you don’t agree.

Speaking

Foremen spend a great deal of time giving information.  Explaining client needs, assigning work, running meetings, clarifying expectations, providing coaching and even disciplining crew members are all examples of information you convey to others throughout the day. 

As with listening, speaking occurs on multiple levels and effective speakers use all levels to ensure their message will be received and understood in the way they intended.  Experienced speakers frame the message to suit the listener.

Eyes	look at the listener when you are speaking observe the listener for facial expressions and body language that tell you if and how your message is being received
Ears	ask the listener to confirm his/her understanding of what’s been said pay attention to the listener’s tone of voice and choice of words to confirm if he/she understands
Voice	speak clearly and distinctly use appropriate voice volume use words and concepts the listener will understand explain jargon and industry acronyms
Heart	accept that speaking effectively is your responsibility; it is not the listener’s responsibility to figure out what you are trying to say check to see what the listener does and doesn’t know so you don’t speak above or below him/her treat the listener with respect no matter what you need to say

There are many ways to communicate a message.  When the listener does not understand, it is up to you as the speaker to reframe your message so the listener can understand.  The time and effort you invest in adjusting the way you speak to suit the needs of the listener will result in more effective actions and more satisfying relationships.

Team Building

As a foreman YOU are responsible for creating the atmosphere that makes people want to work with you, for you or against you.  Concentrating on effective ways to get people to work for and with you will greatly reduce the chance of them working against you. 

Most people work best in an environment where they feel valued, respected and important.  In all that you do as a leader, let these needs guide your approach. 

  

Get people to work FOR you by getting them to work WITH you…

Yes, crew members are working FOR you.  Someone needs to be in charge and, as the foreman, that someone is you.  When crew members have confidence that someone is in charge and when they trust the person who is in charge, they are much more productive.

Get people to work for you by being clear on WHAT needs to be done.  Ensure crew members know, understand and adhere to:

• safety regulations
• client requirements
• work requirements and standards
• respectful behaviors and attitudes

People will be more willing to work for you when they know they also work with you.  Get people to work with you by involving them in HOW it will be done. 

• hold regular meetings and encourage crew members to participate
• treat people with respect so they will be willing to participate
• listen to crew members – they have valuable skills, information and insight to share
• as much as possible,  give people work they will enjoy, find challenging, and will develop their skills
• involve people in decisions that will affect them – people are more willing to follow rules and standards they helped create
• be a good role model for the attitudes, behaviors and work standards you expect

Be clear on what is negotiable and what isn’t.  Give people as much say as possible in what they do and how they do it.  Let people know what they are doing right.  Deal with small problems right away so they don’t have a chance to escalate.  Say thank you lots.

Coaching

Coach:  advise; direct, guide, help, instruct, mentor, prepare, ready, teach, train, tutor.  All of these synonyms describe your to-do-list for the coaching part of your job as foreman.  They also describe what you can do to have a large and lasting impact on those around you.  When you invest in developing others, you also invest in yourself, your trade, and your industry.  And it is rewarding, too!

How are you doing as a coach?  Assess yourself on these qualities of an effective work coach.  What are your strengths?  Where do you need to improve?

I…	Seldom	Sometimes	Always
am patient.
act in ways that lead people to trust me.
can explain things simply and clearly.
encourage crew members to learn.
support crew members as they learn.
am available for questions.
listen effectively.
enjoy assisting others.
use praise frequently.
teach rather than criticize.
support crew members when they make a mistake.
set a good example for how to do things.
take pride in helping crew members grow.
make crew members feel confident about their ability to solve problems.
let people make safe mistakes to promote self discovery.
provide training and support for new tasks.
create a safe environment for learning.
give people credit.
provide crew members with regular feedback.
won’t let people give up.
provide freedom to do the job.
know my way is not the only way.
ask before I tell.
make it okay for people to admit when they don’t know something.
let people make their own decisions whenever possible.

Time Management

There is usually more to do than there is time in the day.  Making the most of your time will help you be more productive with less stress.  Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you go through your day.

• Anticipate what is coming.
• think ahead and make plans so you manage the work instead of the work managing you
• Budget your time.
  • do the most important things first
  • watch the clock so the day doesn’t get away from you
  • allow time for the unexpected
• Work effectively.
  • ask, is this the best use of my time right now? – if not, make adjustments
  • use your most productive time of day wisely
  • do similar tasks together so you can stay focused
• Evaluate tasks.
  • who asked you to do this: what options do you have in doing or refusing the task
  • how important is it in relation to everything else
  • what will happen / who will be affected if you don’t do it / finish on time
• Delegate tasks.
  • what can you give up or put off to relieve pressure
• Take breaks.
  • you need relaxation time to stay energized and productive
• Simplify.
  • is there an easier/more efficient way to do it
• Set realistic schedules.
  • work usually takes more time than you think it will
  • work will fill the time you have available
• Avoid reinventing the wheel.
  • ask questions, get help, do what is proven, copy others
• Learn to say no.
  • know what you can and cannot say no to
  • be honest about what you can and cannot get done
  • be direct AND gentle when saying no – refuse the work and maintain the relationship