In a leadership role, it is very easy to say, “Here’s the job and let’s get it done.” Today’s worker may not react to that in a positive way because they may seek more involvement and input as well as some autonomy in...

Implementing a comprehensive safety program is crucial to protecting workers from occupational hazards. Simply having the framework doesn’t mean that employees are completely committed to creating and maintaining the safest...

I don’t know any leaders that wear a cape, sport a utility belt with boomerangs or have a sidekick. But some of their feats rate right up there with Superman, Batman and Spiderman. Being a leader is not about dressing up...

5%–10% of all electricians in America are women, and roughly 10% of electrical contracting firms are woman-owned—seemingly minuscule numbers in the grand scheme of the nation’s 700,000 electricians and 70,000 electrical...

The Electrical Workers Minority Caucus (EWMC), Vancouver, Wash., held its 2022 national conference online, with the theme of “Inspiring Resistance and Nurturing Strength,” Jan. 13–15. The 32nd annual leadership conference...

I was listening to an interview with Green bay packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in which he was asked, “Do you think about what the future holds for you after this season?” His response was, “While I don’t want to get stuck...

One of the most difficult accomplishments for a leader is gaining their employees’ trust. Many managers struggle with this aspect of their job. They believe that to establish trust, they need to integrate themselves into the...

The year 2020 has been challenging and more unusual than any other we have experienced and is one that will certainly stay with us for a long time. We’ve seen a worldwide pandemic affecting each one of us as well as the...

Lieutenant General Nadja West’s career has been one of overcoming adversity. She is the first African American three-star general in Army history, and the highest-ranking woman to ever graduate from West Point. She has more...

As an experienced electrical contractor, you should always have some semblance of a business plan for the year ahead in January. But this month, try taking a different tack. We challenge you to write a pretend obituary...

Amanda King is a motivational speaker and leadership coach who has delivered her message at many conferences and events, including NECA 2019 Las Vegas. King says, “Leadership is about influence. How are you showing up in life...

David Meade is a motivational and organizational speaker who specializes in body language, business psychology and leadership. Drawing on his own research on management, workplace culture and leadership, Meade speaks to...

Every electrical contractor agrees good project managers are hard to find. The first place contractors usually search for high-promise candidates is among the ranks of their best foremen. In part 1 of this series, we covered...

Staffing shortages have plagued the construction industry in recent years and are likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Part of this larger issue is a constant shortage of project managers (PMs). In boom times or...

When safety is second nature for electrical contractors, they are stronger and better construction team members. However, making safety a core company value takes more than good management; it takes leaders. If your crew...

Teams are made up of individuals with different skill sets, expertise and years of experience, not to mention different personalities. Someone needs to be in charge and direct the diversified team to accomplish the objectives...