Dealing with a Disconnected Supervisor

December 27, 2023

Dealing with a disconnected supervisor is one of the biggest challenges you can face as an employee. Your boss might forget about assigned projects or even double-book you for two tasks at the same time. You might get very little direction, and your supervisor may not have your back when you need it. Worst of all, you might find yourself constantly scrambling to pick up the pieces and get projects back on track. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself in this situation.

Put It in Writing

Switching to written communication can help you keep things on track. Whenever you have questions or concerns, send a thoughtfully written and tightly edited email. Hopefully, your boss will respond in kind, giving you a paper trail that can help clear up confusion later.

Prioritize

You probably have a lot of questions for your disconnected supervisor, but discussing too many things at once will only overwhelm them. Create a written list of the three or four most important talking points, and stick to your list. If your boss starts veering in a different direction, gently redirect the conversation.

Offer to Help

You can make your supervisor’s life easier, as well as your own, by offering to help out. Are there projects you are qualified to lead? Do you have ideas on how to make a specific process run more smoothly? Try to become your supervisor’s trusted go-to person, and you may be able to fix some of the problems yourself.

Know When to Move On

Sometimes, it simply isn’t worth trying to work with a disconnected supervisor. This is especially true if you start getting blamed for their mistakes or if they try to claim all the credit for your accomplishments. Know your worth, and don’t stay too long in a toxic environment. Assess what you’ve learned in your role, and be ready to talk about it in future job interviews.

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At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting professionals in the skilled trades with contractors who need their services throughout the Great Lakes region. If you’re a skilled trade worker looking for your next position, check out our available jobs today!

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Overcoming Common Challenges in Urban Commercial Construction

March 27, 2024

Urban commercial construction brings a whole set of challenges that contractors in the suburbs and rural areas never have to consider. But revitalization is extremely important for urban cores to survive and thrive, so these projects can be quite lucrative. Here are some common difficulties, along with tips to overcome them and remain on good terms with the neighbors. Tight Spaces In urban areas, there simply isn’t as much space to move around. You might have difficulty getting some of your heavy machinery to fit, or your subcontractors could be trying to paint an apartment the size of an average broom closet. Rise to the challenge by thinking outside the box. Carefully survey the entire space before you get started, and develop a detailed project plan in advance. Be sure to include entry and egress routes, alternative ways of getting things done, and even subcontractor schedules that minimize the number of people working in the same space at the same time. Local Regulations Many urban areas have byzantine construction regulations that are confusing and hard to follow. Take the time to research these regulations and understand what you need to do. Then, boil it all down into a simple, easy-to-read document that you distribute to everyone involved. Get to know the local authorities and find someone whom you can call whenever you have questions or concerns. Make sure your team members are ready to pivot if you find out that you missed or misinterpreted something significant. Always have a backup plan. Community Engagement Transparency can go a long way toward getting the local community on your side. Let people know what you’re working on and how it will benefit them. Explain why the project is happening, how long it will take, and whether it will impact their costs (such as taxes). If you’re redeveloping a historic building, be especially sensitive to the concerns of preservationists and meet with them separately to explain your plans. Noise Control You won’t endear yourself to the local community if you’re making a lot of noise when residents are trying to sleep. And remember, even if you’re working on an office building, there could be luxury apartments right next door. Use sound baffling measures to reduce noise. Whenever possible, work during daylight hours. Minimizing Disruptions No matter how careful you are, urban commercial construction projects are inherently disruptive to the neighborhood. But you can mitigate this with careful planning. Try not to block streets during morning or evening rush hours. Be considerate of any upcoming local events. Do your best not to interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic patterns. When you do need to create a blockage, be sure to put up signage and work as quickly as you can without compromising safety. Need a Skilled Trade Professional? At Great Lakes Skilled Trades, we specialize in connecting contractors with professionals in the skilled trades throughout the Great Lakes region. If you need a skilled tradesperson, learn more about our services, and then contact us today!