Fundamental #4. To be effective as a foreman you’ll want to put a strong dose of leadership into the way you work with your crew — your style. Everyone likes to work for a foreman who enables them to stay self-motivated and headed in the right direction to get results. Just like baseball players build loyalty toward managers and coaches who lead them to a pennant, crew members like to work for a foreman whose crew consistently puts the planned units of work in place — on time, under budget, with first-rate quality, and no accidents.
Leadership means taking charge with a daily and weekly plan that’s well thought-out and new ideas that save money and time and ensures safety and quality. You’ll become a leader by creating loyal crew members — people who respect you and the results you can obtain together — to the point they ask to follow you to the next project.
Leadership is important in many aspects of life. Becoming a foreman is an excellent way to learn and practice leadership skills. And as you learn leadership skills and assert them on the jobsite, you’ll become a more effective foreman.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more… you’re a leader.
— John Quincy Adams • POTUS, 1825 -1829
Stuff To Think About. Remember how you felt about the successful foremen you’ve worked with. Step into their shoes for a moment. That’s what it feels like to be known as a confident and respected leader.
