Friday, 1 November 2019

Leadership in the field: Building a strong construction team

For the most part, construction work is both mentally and physically demanding. Construction teams will have little command over their work schedule while having to deal with health hazards, which can only be found in their profession. Foremen and other construction team leaders must care for workers under their watch, and at the same time, ensure that work is delivered excellently.
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Reddy Kancharla believes that stress management should be one of the focuses of a construction leader. Risky mishaps might happen when employees are unable to handle stress at work. Encourage mindfulness and focus instead of asking them to multi-task. Focusing on a single task and doing it effectively and efficiently is far better than doing different tasks all at once.

Collaboration and teamwork are two incredibly important qualities to develop in a team. Before hiring a construction worker, a leader must consider their interpersonal skills. Technical skills won’t promote harmony among others in the team. Red flags to watch out for include arrogance, stubbornness, and disinterest in another’s wellbeing. Continuous training and development should be offered to construction workers. This will bring their work to higher levels and build their confidence in their team.
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According to Reddy Kancharla, one key to building a strong and effective team is by having systems and procedures set in position even before hiring new members, ensuring a steady improvement in their work. Veteran workers must also be provided with training to make them feel up-to-date with the newest and best practices in the industry.

A civil engineer with more than 25 years of experience in civil construction and geotechnical consultation, Reddy Kancharla has worked in various companies, having served different positions. For similar reads, visit this blog.