LISTEN TO UNDERSTAND

The person with the title doesn't automatically have the best answer.

One thing I've learned from working with crews over the years is that the person closest to the work often sees things that somebody managing the operation might miss.

That's why I believe listening is one of the most important things a leader can do. And I don't mean just letting somebody talk while you're already thinking about what you're going to say next. I mean actually paying attention, asking questions, and trying to understand why they're suggesting something.

I've had people bring me ideas that made me look at a problem differently. Sometimes they saw a safety concern I hadn't considered. Other times they had a better way of doing the work or recognized something that could save us time and trouble.

But listening doesn't mean you have to agree with every suggestion.

There are times when I've heard somebody out, understood exactly what they were proposing, and still decided we needed to do something differently. That's part of being responsible for the decision.

What matters is that people know they can speak up, that their experience is respected, and that their ideas will be considered rather than dismissed because of their position.

THE OPERATING CODE  |  004

THE PRINCIPLE

You don't have to agree with an idea to benefit from hearing it. When you take the time to listen, you learn things you might not have known otherwise. That information helps you make better decisions, and better decisions help everybody get the work done.

And sometimes, the person who changes the way you think about a problem is the person standing right beside you.