dichrixon
ArboristSite Lurker
Hello all. I have an question for all tree workers both seasoned and green.
I started my journey into tree work back in February. I was in the automotive industry since I was a high school drop out (15 years or so).
Primarily I have been working on the bucket crew as a groundy. My hard work is proving to pay off. I have lost 35 lbs and I am in the best shape I have been in since I was 23 years old. (I am now 31) I am also growing as tree worker at a comfortable pace.
Recently I have been doing some of the climbing (pruning and dead wooding) as well as doing some of the light bucket work. (No rigging yet). I have also assumed the role of the paper jockey and customer relations person for my crew. Having been a mechanic for so long, I am also utilized for working on saws trucks and equipment.
Because of the extra responsibilities I take on and my work ethic it feels as if they are grooming me for and quite possibly rewarding me by sending me on prevailing wage jobs, and giving me lots of chances to learn to run equipment etc.
The questions I have is in regards to how to handle inter personal relationships among my crew. The core of my crew consists of 3 guys. A 15 year veteran of tree work who was one of the first 5 hires for my company, a 5 year veteran (allegedly) who has been with my company for a year and my self. Sometimes we have a fourth, or the 15 year veteran is swapped out for an inexperienced laborer type if we have a simple but labor intensive job.
The five year veteran and I lock horns quite regularly. Most times I submit and fall inline in an attempt to keep the peace and to recognize and acknowledge that he is the more experienced of us. Lately that has been getting harder to do.
With my experience level rising I am starting to have opinions about job procedures that make sense. Not only will he not entertain them he won't explain why they are not good ideas nor use them as a teachable moment. In fact he will deliberately do the opposite sometimes.
I have come to the conclusion that he either
A-lacks the leadership ability to run a crew when the 15 year vet is not around.
B- Can't accept the fact that a newbie like me may have a good idea or two.
C- He resents the fact that I have been given some extra perks on the job.
D- something else I havent thought of.
Every time he runs a job there is some sort of mishap. No matter how miniscule something happens. The reason it's getting hard for me to let this stuff roll of my back is I feel when a customer complains of a poor job or damage to property it is a reflection on the whole crew we are a team. He has the attitude (this is tree work, it's dangerous and unpredictable) and he uses that as a reason for the **** ups. Or he blames it on the fact he has in experienced guys.
How do I handle this guys?
I started my journey into tree work back in February. I was in the automotive industry since I was a high school drop out (15 years or so).
Primarily I have been working on the bucket crew as a groundy. My hard work is proving to pay off. I have lost 35 lbs and I am in the best shape I have been in since I was 23 years old. (I am now 31) I am also growing as tree worker at a comfortable pace.
Recently I have been doing some of the climbing (pruning and dead wooding) as well as doing some of the light bucket work. (No rigging yet). I have also assumed the role of the paper jockey and customer relations person for my crew. Having been a mechanic for so long, I am also utilized for working on saws trucks and equipment.
Because of the extra responsibilities I take on and my work ethic it feels as if they are grooming me for and quite possibly rewarding me by sending me on prevailing wage jobs, and giving me lots of chances to learn to run equipment etc.
The questions I have is in regards to how to handle inter personal relationships among my crew. The core of my crew consists of 3 guys. A 15 year veteran of tree work who was one of the first 5 hires for my company, a 5 year veteran (allegedly) who has been with my company for a year and my self. Sometimes we have a fourth, or the 15 year veteran is swapped out for an inexperienced laborer type if we have a simple but labor intensive job.
The five year veteran and I lock horns quite regularly. Most times I submit and fall inline in an attempt to keep the peace and to recognize and acknowledge that he is the more experienced of us. Lately that has been getting harder to do.
With my experience level rising I am starting to have opinions about job procedures that make sense. Not only will he not entertain them he won't explain why they are not good ideas nor use them as a teachable moment. In fact he will deliberately do the opposite sometimes.
I have come to the conclusion that he either
A-lacks the leadership ability to run a crew when the 15 year vet is not around.
B- Can't accept the fact that a newbie like me may have a good idea or two.
C- He resents the fact that I have been given some extra perks on the job.
D- something else I havent thought of.
Every time he runs a job there is some sort of mishap. No matter how miniscule something happens. The reason it's getting hard for me to let this stuff roll of my back is I feel when a customer complains of a poor job or damage to property it is a reflection on the whole crew we are a team. He has the attitude (this is tree work, it's dangerous and unpredictable) and he uses that as a reason for the **** ups. Or he blames it on the fact he has in experienced guys.
How do I handle this guys?