Personal leadership has a major impact on snow removal crews
Alexander Graham Bell said: "Before anything else, preparation is the key to success." From a personal perspective, what does preparation really mean? Let’s skip over the obvious answers this time (e.g., training, PPE, food, etc.) and look deeper at what it really means on a personal level.
Taking care of yourself is not limited to having the right clothes and getting a good night’s sleep. Promoting a positive self-image means you have a quality daily routine, or what I refer to as a daily method of operation (DMO). This can be a difference maker between burnout and thriving.
Your company can also have a DMO. You can break this down into manageable pieces and address them over time so you don’t get overwhelmed.
Equipment care
First impressions can make or break you as an individual and as a company. The cleanliness of your truck, for example, is a direct reflection of you as an individual. It can take only a few seconds for a client to assess you or the company by what they see littering your dashboard and floorboards. A clean vehicle says to someone that you care, are intentional and have pride in your workmanship.
Personal habits
Smoking, vaping, goofing off, sleeping on the job—any of these reflect poorly on the company. Studies show that those who smoke at work appear to be less productive and less engaged than those who do not. Is this perception or a reality? Either way, smoking on the job is dangerous to the equipment, the client, yourself and the company’s image, as one example.
Dress matters
Beyond ensuring your team has the appropriate PPE, ensuring they represent your company with branded uniforms that are clean and fit properly helps make a professional impression to the client and the public. It may make more marketing sense to provide a stipend for employees for some of their work clothes/gear, and providing ample clean and warm company gear works as well. There is a cost, but what is the cost of a bad or sloppy reputation?
Daily Method of Operation - A personal example
Not only can you do this for your company, you can set up your own mini-DMO for your work life! Download this pdf and share with your colleagues and coworkers!
