Management is a never ending game in life.
I am astonished sometimes why people don’t decide? and yet more astonished as to why they don’t let others, decide?
While Working in an Organization, there came a situation where someone had to repair a conveyor belt while it was moving. There were hazards and chances of an accident.
There were production pressures and chances of fiscal losses.
The Plant Manager expected the plant to continue running.
The Control Room Shift Manager wanted a proper shut down for maintenance activity.
The Maintenance Manager was convinced his Maintenance Technician can take on the maintenance work without isolation, shut down as he was once world champion in taking risks.
The Safety Manager was weighing slightest risks heavily but was mentally in torment due to Plant Managers anger.
Everyone wanted some solid decision but everyone was avoiding to be part of a decision.
The Safety Manager thought if he objects and does not allow work on running conveyor, the maintenance may seek “Management of Change” decision (Special veto decision from Top Management and get to work) and if they are able to complete the work without any accident or near miss the Safety Manager would be considered incompetent in risk assessment.
Work Permit Issuers also carry the same worry.
The Maintenance Guys also carry the fear of accident deep down in their hearts despite all checks, arrangement, experiences and assurances. They Feel if the accident or a near miss takes course ultimately they would be blamed for perusing unjustified demand.
The Worst Happened when everyone expected some one else to take decision.
This happens almost in every part of the world and in every company with some safety realization. We often forget joint risk assessments in such cases and even when we do so, we have conflict of opinions. Resultantly, decisions are held in abeyance. Managements avoid getting involved. Managers look for the shoulders of Mr. Adventurous. The result could be very devastating.
It is very important, that right or wrong a decision must be taken and he who takes a decision within a team should be just and detailed in analysis. He should be trusted by his colleagues and even his seniors.
Skippers from crisis situations are the worst members in a team.
We also need to understand as to why people don’t take decisions.
First of all they lack requisite experience and or knowledge.
Secondly they don’t expect to make mistakes themselves so want someone else to take decision and if it gets right…they proclaim it be theirs and if it gets wrong they would get the defaulter by the neck.
Thirdly, they even lack basic management skill of organizing a decision management process.
Whatever the reason may be? sometimes this indecisiveness becomes more dangerous when we are dealing with running machines, operating plants, process industry or centrally controlled industrial units.
The fact remains machines don’t wait for decisions. They need to be attended as soon as they get sick.
Someone has to diagnose and declare the extent of the problem.
Someone has to accept the diagnosis
And Someone must start the treatment As soon as possible but with all safety precautions without increasing the magnum of the crisis’s or the problem.
In Nut shell my message to those who love operating through indecisiveness is that if they don’t want to take decisions let others take the decisions.
I would really appreciate if those who read it comment in the form of agreement or argument to make me further clear and rich on the subject.
Captain Zahid Faqir (Retired) MSPS, MSIR DGM HSEQ at Combined Cycle Power Plant in Karachi, Pakistan
Do read more articles, quotes and write-ups at Zahid.faqirr@facebook.com orZahid.faqir@linkedin.com