Builders and Contractors Exchange
Weekly Bulletin: 4 july 2008
Communication
Dale Carnegie is famous for teaching people how to make friends and influence others. His advice is excellent, but underutilized. Does it translate to construction? Is it important to make friends at a job site? I suggest yes.
While this does not mean everyone on a job site needs to be bosom pals, by far the biggest bones of contention we regularly see are communications problems, including miscommunication, bad communication and sometimes no communication at all. Sometimes this can be resolved by putting the right person on the right job. Sometimes people need training in "people skills" so they can become the right person.
It is well understood that you only use skilled personnel to do skilled work. But as we all know there is much more to a finished product than merely putting the pieces together. When change issues arise, how will they be resolved? When errors are discovered, how will they be resolved? Are there perfect drawings or perfectly performed construction? We all know the answer is no.
These types of things can be resolved early or can fester and boil. Often good communication is the difference. I am not advocating we all become "touchy feely," and people's personalities, in the now infamous words of Brian McNamee, "are what they are." But with some foresight the right people can be placed on the right job, and some leopards can be educated to change their spots.
Doing so helps increase the chances of resolving and avoiding disputes. This means a more effective and less costly job, which is everyone's goal. So, while there is no need to be best friends with everyone, there is a need to be friendly and learn how to influence those with whom you work. Communication is one of the keys that must, therefore, be added to your workers' toolboxes; but, at the same time you need to insure that communication is both good and effective.
Questions?
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This article is meant to bring awareness to this topic and is not intended to be used as legal advice.