An Invitation to Leadership

One of the many great things about this business is that you don’t need a formal education to move up. Your ability to become a “lead man,” foreman, superintendent, or even contractor is limited only by your own vision and desire.

If you’re thinking about moving up to a leadership role, here are 10 skills you should think about working on:

1. Mastery of your craft

2. Communication (verbal and written)

3. Reading blueprints and plans

4. Job planning and scheduling

5. Organizational skills and habits

6. Time management

7. Motivation

8. Diplomacy

9. Safety management

10. Computer, e-mail, and Internet.

You don’t have to be an expert at everything, but you cannot get along without a little bit of each. There are plenty of good management books out there. Your union probably has supervision courses. Take them every time.

(An excerpt from “Attitudes and Behaviors: Survival of the Fittest,” a book by Mark Breslin. For information: www.breslin.biz.)