Summer 2012 - Barriere Construction

f i e l d s u p e r v i s o r y t r a i n i n g p r o g r a m
Motivation, Communication, and TAR Meetings are the Focus of the
Second Session of Barriere’s Field Supervisory Training Program
At the start of 2012, Barriere reinstituted
our Field Supervisory
Training Program, which was designed
for our Field Supervisors to actively
participate in six learning modules—
including the completion of case
studies and even “homework” from
time to time. The goals of the program
are to address all key areas of
Barriere’s operational effectiveness
throughout the year, and to continue
our investment in the company’s
biggest asset—our talented and
dedicated workforce.
During the months of May and
June, Supervisors from each
division gathered to discuss the
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topics of "Motivation” and
“Communication”. In first
segment of this session,
motivation was defined as
“the desire or drive of each
individual to satisfy his or
her own needs”. The group
read a case study and
shared numerous examples
of personal stories of
motivation. It was ultimately
determined that, while all
people are motivated by
something, no Supervisor can motivate
each member of their crew, because
motivation is a desire that comes
from within each individual. It was
fascinating to listen to Supervisors of
all levels—from Division President to
Foreman—share their own sources of
“Internal Motivation”, and to hear how
their goals have changed throughout
their careers.
The second segment of the training
session focused on “Active
Communication”, and it is no secret
that our Supervisors spend the
majority of their day communicating
with numerous different parties.
Communication was defined as
“the process of sending thoughts,
instructions, or messages from one
person or group to another, and
guaranteeing understanding”. With
safety, daily production goals, quality
assurances, and planning ALL at the
top of the priority list, it is not hard
to imagine that the communication
process quickly becomes extremely
complicated. Even with the help of
cell phones, e-mail, text messages,
and radios, the ability to effectively
communicate can never be taken for
granted. Each person involved in the
process has distinct responsibilities,
and the only way to effectively
by Chris Williams, Project Analyst
communicate is if the sender, the
message, and the receiver are all
in tune.
With Communication in mind, the
group set out to identify and share a
list of “best practices” for our daily
TAR (Task Analysis Review) meetings.
I had the opportunity to video—
tape several Barriere Supervisors
presenting their TAR meetings in the
field, and then use those videos to
share our “best practices” across
divisions. Of all behaviors displayed
in the videos, our Supervisors
determined that, in every Daily
Huddle Meeting, the most important
contributions are made by the crew
members. Increasing communication
during these daily meetings enhances
our safety behavior throughout the
day, and we can only improve if we
continue to raise any and all safety
concerns as they arise. As Barriere’s
first Core Value states, “We put the
safety of our employees and the public
first”, and these daily TAR meetings
serve as every employee’s opportunity
to prove their commitment.