IGNITE Leadership Academy Action Learning Project 2016-17 | Page 27

Charles Skellen
Power Plant & Maintenance Manager
St. Anns Community
Safety First
1
How would you describe your Action Learning Project and the difference you hope it will make to
advance your organization’s mission (or the field) and benefit the individuals you serve?
My Action Leaning project will be based on safety and safe practices. As a member of the safety committee, it will be a good fit. I plan on
additional training for my staff including but not limited to Lock-out/Tag out, using the proper personal protect equipment, electrical safety,
ladder safety, and other safe practices. This would include signage in the maintenance shop and boiler room. I would also like to educate
other staff (nursing, environmental, dietary, etc.) as to what to lookout for such as frayed or damaged electrical cords, trip hazards, slip and
fall issues, etc. Education would include helping staff know who to contact if they see something that could be a safety issue. This education
could include a small safety tip in the weekly newsletter, posters in locker rooms, or on the message boards that are coming to certain areas
of our facility. Reducing injuries not only keeps everyone safe but it saves time and dollars. Lost time cases can put a strain on staffing and
caring for our residents.
2
How have the relationships you’ve developed as part of your project (with mentors, partners,
stakeholders, etc.) influenced this direction and you as a leader?
Meeting with the other folks in this program I have found that many of them face the same issues we face in our organization. Working on
different projects and exercises with my team and others in the Ignite program has helped shape the way I look at things now. I take more
time to let things sink in before reacting to them. I am better at engaging my staff by keeping them informed of any changes, projects, or
issues. This has been an interesting and enjoyable experience.
3
What have been important turning points for you, in your own learning, as you’ve engaged with the
action learning process (you might consider a surprise, insight, setback, or challenge)?
Being a leader of a non-clinical department, I still found the learning process very helpful. It was something I believed I could bring to our
organization with much success. I think what surprised me the most was even though this was a little out of my comfort zone, I truly
enjoyed the experience. As a bonus I have made many new friends and acquaintances and had a great coach.
4
How do you hope your project might unfold in the months and years ahead and what impact do you
hope it will have on the field at large?
Proper training and reporting of any safety concerns will be key in the success of this program. I hope to have a successful implementation
of this program at our facility. A program like this at any facility would help create a safer work environment that would help reduce lost
time injuries and save the organization time and dollars. Lost time injuries can put an undue stress on an organization and other employees.
The organization incurs costs for injury claims and possible overtime expenses to cover during the employees absence. Other employees
have to cover the additional work load which can result in fatigue or mistakes while doing their jobs. Working conditions like this can be
detrimental to other employees health, moral, and can result in increased turnover.
5
How has the action learning process in the context of the Leadership Academy experience contributed
to your growth as a leader?
The action learning process has helped me first to come up with a plan, and then to develop the plan. Taking the step to share the plan with
others on my team to get their input was a new process for me. It has shown me that working together as a team can be a valuable and
rewarding experience. It has also shown me the importance of bringing an idea to the team; getting everyone’s input can be very beneficial
to the success of an idea. Engaging my staff and keeping them more informed of events and changes that come will make the transition
much smoother.
IGNITE Leadership Academy Action Learning Project 2016-17
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