MISS MANAGEMENT
CAROL LEVEY | LEVEY ENTERPRISES
IMPACT. INFLUENCE. INSPIRE.
Thriving in Chaos
Switching from Maintenance
Tech to Operations
I’m an experienced maintenance tech. I recently became aware that my
company is considering offering me a maintenance supervisor position. I’m
pleased about the potential promotion, but I have been privately considering
a changeover to operations. Operations appeals to me and I believe there
are more opportunities to advance, learn and enjoy my work. I’m concerned
that accepting something more in maintenance might be sending the wrong
message and my heart might not be in it. Any advice?
Y
ou raise some critical issues and I
understand your concerns.
You spend too much time and
effort at your workplace not to be
confident about your career path.
You should know that in our industry what
you have learned and accomplished as a
maintenance technician will serve you well in
operations, should you choose to attempt to
make that change. I have seen the transition
first hand. It has also been my pleasure to
know individuals that lead large companies
coming up through the maintenance side of
the business. proper mentoring, delegation and reporting;
direct and transparent communication in
person, to a group, and/or in writing; ability
to fully utilize technologies to assist you in all
the above. As you can see, you are more likely
to demonstrate these skillsets as a
maintenance supervisor, so your best career
opportunity might be right in front of you.
Having said this there are several
principles that come to mind as I consider
useful advice in your circumstance. Regardless
of current and future assignments our
business is a daily stream of schedules, people
with expectations, and constant
communication demands. It is also true that
what got you here won’t get you there. This responsibility includes: assertive
communication that would clarify what you’re
privately considering with a person(s) that
you trust to give honest feedback; periodic
scheduled evaluation in which you ask a
supervisor how your experience specifically
matches their expectations; what can you
improve to become more competitive;
where can you find the resources for needed
improvements to advance and/or changeover;
when or under what conditions can you
realistically expect new or additional
responsibilities. Be sure to listen; maybe take
notes so you can reference to mark
personal progress.
While maintenance and operations have
many things in common you are going to be
required to demonstrate your capability in
specific areas that are not generally required
from a maintenance technician.
Some examples might include: the ability to
schedule and prepare for various kinds of
work over an extended period; ability to
document the details of all work clearly and
timely; ability to trust the work of others with
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Now let me go back to several keywords
you used to describe your situation;
experienced, aware, considering, pleased,
privately, believe, concerned all send a message
that you are not taking primary responsibility
for your career path.
HOW TO BE AT YOUR BEST IN CHANGING
SITUATIONS
Value to Participants:
» » Understanding and clarity on how your
thoughts, actions and language
influence others, and impact your ability
to participate and thrive in chaos.
» » A tested framework to prepare yourself
and your team to thrive in chaos, no
matter the environment.
» » Tools and exercises you can
immediately use to engage and inspire
both yourself and your team regardless
of the situation.
Power Partner:
The good news is that in 2018 there is a
growing demand for this approach and you
can begin sooner than later.
FEBRUARY 2018 • TRENDS | 11