Secrets That Lead to Smarter Leadership & Added Productivity

In the modern world, deadlines and profits are mentioned more and more often when we talk about work. It is natural that most people want to earn as much as possible in a job where they invest their time and give their best every day.

However, in this constant rush and focus on profit, many forget what truly matters, and that is employees and their needs, expectations, and emotions. This often happens unconsciously, but that does not change the fact that it is wrong.

People and their safety should always come first.

If you fail to respect your workers, you’ll never build a strong, successful, or sustainable business.

Why Rushing Your Workers Can Cause More Accidents

Every great leader understands that we are all human, and when working, we make mistakes.

When constant pressure is put on them, when they are repeatedly reminded of deadlines, unfinished tasks, compared to other employees, and exposed to different forms of criticism, most workers simply begin to accumulate stress until they eventually burn out.

There are a great number of people who perform extremely physically demanding jobs, and when they are under stress, the risk of making unnecessary mistakes or getting injured, due to a lack of focus, increases significantly.

One of the examples of work that requires a high level of physical effort and constant focus is construction work.

If the engineer or a supervisor in charge is loud, aggressive, and unable to communicate properly with workers, the likelihood of accidents increases.

➔    Approx. 1/5th of all workplace deaths in the U.S. happen in the construction industry, with 38.5% of them being caused by falls/slips/trips. – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

➔    Falls from heights are the number one cause of deaths in the U.S. construction industry – OSHA

➔    Most falls with a fatal outcome happen between the heights of 6 and 30 ft. – Maynard Nexen.

➔    Approx. 70% of all fatal construction falls in the U.S. happened in companies that have 10 (or fewer) employees. – The Center for Construction Research and Training

Some of the injuries include broken bones, falls from significant heights, electric shocks, and cutting injuries on construction jobs. A great leader knows that people need to feel relaxed and work at a responsible pace, and that excessive pressure and stress can only lead to negative outcomes.

Too Much Pressure Leads to More Mistakes

Every company has safety protocols that everyone must follow, but many people skip certain steps either because they are in a hurry or simply believe they have done it enough times over the years and there is nothing to worry about.

This is, of course, completely the wrong approach. No matter how many times you have done the task, there is always a possibility you will make a mistake, and you can never predict how a situation will unfold.

Despite the fact that workers must follow all the safety measures, supervisors are the ones responsible for the outcome, whether it is a simple mistake or a severe injury. If an injury of any kind happens, the responsibility always falls on the supervisor.

Safety Protocols are Only Effective if Strictly Followed

On the other hand, workers might make mistakes while being rushed or pressured, but what most people do not understand is that workers actually do the physical work, and if something goes wrong, there is a high possibility they will figure it out.

On the contrary, supervisors do not spend much time doing the work, but focus on planning, assigning tasks, monitoring progress, and making sure everything runs according to the schedule. This is why it is of great importance that leaders have a lot of trust in their staff and their ability to complete the job.

The worker who is appreciated and whose opinion is respected is more likely to get the job done, notice when something isn't right, and stay motivated to do their best at all times.

Conclusion

To conclude, being a great leader in modern industry is not about being successful, wealthy, and intimidating.

It's about respecting your workers and believing in them and their ability to complete the job. Workers are only motivated when they feel appreciated and respected, and if they are rushed and pressured while working, most of them will either fail or they won't be satisfied with their job over time.

If you're looking to improve productivity levels by a measurable amount, then focus on safety. If you follow all updated safety measures and you communicate them clearly with your staff, and even if you drop in regular check-ins, you'll see the numbers improve. This has to do with he reduced amount of mistakes and accidents which will no longer bog production. An added benefit of this is that you'll have a loyal team, plus a workplace atmosphere that is sure to boost morale and efficiency from time to time.