You’ve spent a lot of energy in firefighting mode over the years, how is it working for you?
A friend of a friend works as a foreman in a manufacturing plant in Atlantic Canada. Let’s call him Vincent. When he started working for this business, he was one of 75 production employees.
After several years of hard work, delivering quality craftsmanship and being efficient, he has earned a very good reputation with the business owner. On a Friday afternoon at the end of the shift, the owner approached Vincent to offer him the position of shop floor Foreman. Surprised and flattered by the offer, he finally accepted after careful thinking and discussions with his spouse.
Vincent has occupied this role for a few years now and he’s having second thoughts. Things are not like they used to be. He remembers the good old days when he was enjoying his work on the production line and being good at it. Now, with all of the challenges that he has to deal with every day, he is overwhelmed and not enjoying his work anymore.
Many other foremen feel the same way as Vincent, but it doesn’t have to be that way.