REFLECTIVE REVIEW M2. 20 Managing yourself Word Count: 1237 Know how to manage yourself and your time in line with team and organisational goals Three strengths I believe I have as a team leader are:- • Expert knowledge I have worked in the Machine Shop for 15 years now and during that time I have amassed a lot of knowledge regarding the people, the products, the machines and the processes. I have been involved in a number of these processes and projects and also learned CNC programming.

This is a key strength in my area as my team always have assistance on hand when problems arise or they are unsure of anything. • Resource management My daily routine involves effective utilisation of the resources available to me. These are typically the machines, the materials and the people. I must ensure that all machines/processes are operational and productive at all times and that my team are working effectively and efficiently to achieve their production goals.

This is a key strength I feel I possess that enables my team to consistently perform at their optimum level and provide maximum machine uptime and productivity. • Motivational I feel I possess very good interpersonal skills that benefit my team greatly. I firmly believe that this strength is extremely important to forge a strong team and a unity within that increases productivity and also job satisfaction. Performance monitoring is a key element to coordination along with production/completion targets and it is easy to jump on someone’s back about underperformance, albeit necessary.

On the flip side however I personally believe that it is equally, if not more, important to compliment and give praise when things are done correctly and positively. I feel I also have a good understanding of individual members of my teams’ different motivational needs and what makes them tick. I have thought about setting personal SMART objectives and decided to come up with three differing objectives that are personal, but will assist my team if I complete them. In order of priority (the most important first) they are:- 1.

Ensure 90% of my team achieve company individual productivity target of 80% (ie. complete 48 minutes work for every hour clocked). Specific Each individual to achieve 80% target Measurable Recorded through the Mainframe data Achievable Currently approx. 75% achieve the target consistently already Realistic All resources are readily available to achieve it Timed To be achieved within three months 2. Achieving 50% machine uptime on a new machine that has just been purchased

Specific 50% actual machining time (12 hours/day) on the new Multus B300 Measurable This will be recorded through using the CIMCO (Machine Monitoring) software Achievable This is agreed with team and management Realistic All resources required to achieve are available; machine, tooling, time, knowledge and support Timed Six month time period 3. My work area (Machining 1) to achieve the company average score of 77% on the weekly 5S audit

Specific Encourage and work with team to achieve the 77% company average Measurable Through weekly audit scores (currently average 56%) Achievable Other areas consistently achieve the target Realistic The team all have the knowledge, training and time available Timed Three month time period A simple time management technique that could be used to assist in achieving objectives is a time management matrix. This could take the following format:- |DO NOW |PLAN TO DO | | | | | | |Job selection |Next job planning | |IMPORTANT |Target setting |Planned maintenance | | |Change to production plan |Monitoring | | |Management requests |Training & Development | | |Machine Breakdowns |Micro-scheduling | | |REJECT & EXPLAIN WHY |RESIST AND CEASE | | | | | | |Design sundry |Tasks outside job spec | |NOT IMPORTANT |Tooling requests |Repeated requests from same operators | | |Some 5S activities |Phone usage | | |Some maintenance tasks | | One other technique I could use would be a weekly planner that includes a daily to-do list.

This would ensure I didn’t forget to complete any relevant and important tasks and also that I had a check list of sorts to work through which I could reduce in size as I completed tasks and tick them off. Know how to manage stress Two causes of stress in the workplace and the effect they may have are:- 1. Excessive pressure Pressure is part of everyday work: pressure to meet a deadline, pressure to achieve a target and pressure to meet the required minimum standards. Excessively high workloads and unrealistic targets/deadlines significantly increase the pressure placed on an individual. When this pressure becomes too much for an individual it may cause stress. 2. Long working hours Working too many hours can cause the individual to become exhausted and lose focus on their targets/objectives.

They can become agitated and irritable which in turn would lead to stress. It is important to note that an individual suffering from stress can have a massive impact on the workplace. Not only will his/her performance suffer but it will more than likely affect other members of the team and maybe other departments as an unpleasant working environment is not ideal for a productive workforce. Two symptoms of stress in the workplace are:- 1. Loss of motivation, confidence and commitment 2. Increased emotional reactions such as sensitivity or aggressiveness One simple stress management technique sounds very obvious and basic but is actually extremely effective and that is to avoid any unnecessary stress!

Not all stress can be avoided, and it’s not healthy to avoid a situation that needs to be addressed. You may be surprised, however, by the number of stressors in your life that you can eliminate. • Learn how to say “no” – Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, refuse to accept added responsibilities when you’re close to reaching them. Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress. • Avoid people who stress you out – If someone consistently causes stress in your life and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely. Take control of your environment – If the evening news makes you anxious, turn the TV off. If traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but less-travelled route. If going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online. • Avoid hot-button topics – If you get upset over religion or politics, cross them off your conversation list. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with the same people, stop bringing it up or excuse yourself when it’s the topic of discussion. • Pare down your to-do list – Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. If you’ve got too much on your plate, distinguish between the “shoulds” and the “musts. Drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely. One source of support within my workplace is Human Resources. The HR personnel would deal with your matter with the utmost confidentiality and would also be able to recommend further courses of action if required such as Occupational Health. The staff are all very helpful and approachable and have undergone training that would help them deal with the matter in a professional manner. They would be aware that not only were they helping you, but also your whole team of people. A good HR department is required in any sizeable company and they are always at hand to assist employees in any number of issues.