I started with training everyone in how to use the computer system. I encouraged them to actually get experience with it by not doing it for them, instead supporting their efforts to learn even if it actually slowed us down. I made sure that everyone rotated through the task, and I don’t sit in front of the computer unless I’m solving someone’s problem or training them. I have held short meetings each morning about what I would like to change, and encouraged them to think about what they would change, and tell me why. Every time I’ve gotten approval from upper management to change something I’ve let them know the status, and we’ve actually DONE IT as quickly as possible. We are all working as one team right now to get projects through the shop. I don’t directly assign them work. I explain constantly that I believe that people who like what they are doing, do the best work. They should work at dividing the work up by their own skill sets as much as possible. Some are slow accurate workers. Others are fireballs with a noticeable error rate. I believe that working together we get faster rates and lower errors. I spend one to two hours in the shop each morning, and return to my engineering position for the rest of the day. I’m ten miles away, but my cell phone is on 24/7 and I do answer.

And yes, I am a bit impatient. I expect to be on medical leave to have surgery in late February. It is huge question mark of whether I can get essentially a new culture in place that will not completely fall apart while I am gone. I have to tell you though, I am thoroughly enjoying the challenge!