CONTRACTING
Leading with trust, transparency, and teamwork Words Tim Poskin
Overcoming five common leadership challenges in the cleaning industry.
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leaning industry leaders will face a more complex environment this year with many new challenges. Persevering and finding the right solutions to those challenges can be extremely rewarding. Skilled leaders are advocates for their cleaning team members. Become a skilled leader and overcome your leadership challenges by embracing the key components of trust, transparency, and teamwork.
A BOSS DOESN’T EQUAL A LEADER
I was promoted to my first leadership role when I was a cleaning department employee at the largest airplane manufacturing company in the world. I felt totally unprepared for my new management position. Suddenly, a group of people looked to me for guidance. Colleagues who were my peers and friends the day before now saw me as “the boss.” All of 24 INCLEAN March / April 2022
my carefully thought-out plans suddenly seemed unrealistic. I worried that I was asking too much of some people and not enough of others. Any feedback from my director seemed like criticism and I felt overwhelmed. I was so concerned with being “the boss” that I responded poorly the first time someone questioned my decision to implement a new standard system for cleaning. Instead of exploring why they had questions and asking if they could see a better way, I shut down the conversation and stuck to my guns. Eventually, with experience and the help of a good mentor and coach, I began to feel more comfortable leading others and grew to be a more effective leader. After working with hundreds of cleaning organisations I know my experience isn’t unique. Only a small group of leaders feel confident making business decisions, yet the cleaning industry needs leadership at all levels more than ever.