What does it take to lead a crew?

[Pete Mctree]

Another thing that will help you, is to develop a strong relationship with your boss. It is all well & good working hard to form a strong team framework, but if you are not supported by or your decisions are undermined by your manager, then your authority is worthless.

He needs to have trust in you & your decision making & vice versa.

[stihlmadasever]

18 months climbings not a lot of experience for a crew leader but if you have the confidence in yourself to do the job then you can.

Theres always a mouthy git in every crew,first sign of aggro come down hard on them.

Set the boundry's early on,things should take care of themselves after that.Make yourself approachable and fair,your boss has confidence in your abilities so dont be wary of asking for advice if your unsure.

In my experience a good crew functions smoothly without anyone really needing to lead,the guys know the job and just get on with it.

Good luck im sure you'll do great

[Mr Fowler]

Think I'm the mouthy git in my crew...

 

I agree with the not being too much like pals. Be friendly but firm. If someone not pulling their weight, speak to them once. If it happens again speak to the boss.

 

I don't think you have to be the greatest climber, I know I'm not, but I'm patient and can talk to people.

 

It always looks good if you're the one that does the horrible ivy covered trees. Most people seem more willing to work hard if they see you doing it.

[Gray git]

Think that's possibly the most important part Mr fowler, lead from the front, as the boss/owner of my company if we have a really shitty job come in I make sure I'm not accidentally off pricing that day but in on it and often doing the bad bit like being up to my nuts in a freezing river setting winch lines on tree wedged against a bridge or like you say up the ivy covered monster that way I know if I ask the lads to do it they know I can and will if they can't and often I find them saying don't worry I'll do this 1 you did the last as mutual respect develops.

1 thing that hasn't been said is standing up for your crew be it to the boss client or just some loud mouth jerk on the street, but do it professionaly and politely.

[Mick Dempsey]

Don't let them smoke dope at work.

[Gary Prentice]

Don't let them smoke dope at work.

 

Or be afraid to send them home in the morning if under the influence of anything from the night before.

[Mick Dempsey]

Or be afraid to send them home in the morning if under the influence of anything from the night before.

 

Fair enough Gary.

They'd be a lot of people going straight home from some of the outfits I've been associated with!

[Mark Bolam]

Grow a massive beard and get some really dodgy tats as well.

Every little helps.

[Gary Prentice]

Fair enough Gary.

They'd be a lot of people going straight home from some of the outfits I've been associated with!

 

Including bosses IME. I've personally gone home myself when the employer who was working with me was staggering from the night before. You can't be doing your own job and worrying was some drunkard is going to do next.

 

Funny enough, I've always been paid for the lost day:thumbup:

[Joe Newton]

In my opinion you have to be able to do every part of the job, well and in good time. How will people respect your opinion if you can't do what you're asking of them.

 

One thing I've noticed is not to give out praise too readily. Better to keep them trying for it and it's much more appreciated when it comes.

 

Recently the two lads I lead have really come into their own with managing the ground work and rigging, without me having to instruct them. Not flawless, but getting there.

 

They know I'm happy about it, but it's taken a long time to get there.

 

Another thing is to recognise where a persons strengths/interests are. We can't all be great all rounders. I've got one lad who's going to be a brute on the rigging, and another who's eye for pruning and attention to detail is pretty good. That way if we're splitting into two teams we can put the more appropriate staff on each job.