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Road & Street ConferenceLeadership

Jim HendersonMaintenance Superintendent

Incredibly Important Leadership Stuff for Incredibly Important 

People“Everyone is a leader”

Jim Henderson WSDOT

LEADERSHIP METHODS

DIRECT INFLUENCES

BIG PICTURE & LONG TERM PLANNING

CURRENT AGENCY DIRECTION

Building Block?? Why?

Wrecking Ball??? Why Not?Provide guidance and information on leadership methods, 

styles, questions, information and documentation.

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Leadership Methods

Leadership expectationsEmployee initiated request

Evaluation and documentationPolitical influences

Knowledge & sharing information

Leadership expectationsBuilding Blocks? Why?

Clearly outline and define expectationsClear expectations = greater chance for success

Reduce eliminate confusion and misunderstandingHelps employees understand leadership motivation

Builds strong teamEnsures continuityAll on the same page

Wrecking Balls? Why Not?Confusion

MisunderstandingsEmployee disconnectLack of knowledge

Employee initiated request Verbal, written, individual, group, etc

Building Blocks? Why?Better understanding / clarify

Lead to new process / try something differentEnsure consistency

Wrecking Balls? Why Not?Too busy

Don’t want to shareThreatenedDon’t know

Evaluation and DocumentationBuilding Blocks? Why?

Sell productDefend position/productClarify position/productStaffing/equipment

In writing/numbers sellFeedback

Wrecking Balls? Why not?Fear

No timeExpert (I know I’ve been doing this for years)

Never done it

Political influencesWith Politics these will get all messed up!

Building Blocks? Why?Politicians write the check

The futureUnderstanding

Not able to retirement / got some years to goWrecking Balls? Why not?Politicians write the check

No choiceUnderstanding

Retirement eligible just about out the doorEnjoy controversy / fight

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Knowledge & Sharing InformationBuilding Blocks? Why?

Trust & Confidence!!!!!!Most powerful tool leaders have

Empowers employeesEnsures everyone is on the same page

Wrecking Balls? Why not?Fear

InsecurityTime

FundingLack of knowledge/understanding

Don’t need to know

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Direct Influences

LaborEquipmentMaterialsBudget

What are things leaders can directly influence and or control?

LaborBuilding Blocks? Why?

Wrecking Balls? Why Not?

• Hiring – how, who, skills, abilities, competencyProbably the single most important function we do as 

managers

• Expectations – employees need clear understanding from agency & supervision

• Appraisals – feedback is essential part of employer/employee relationship

• Provide pertinent tools and support

• Educate, train, and inform

• Recognition

EquipmentBuilding Blocks? Why?

Wrecking Balls? Why Not?

• What type

• How it is used

• What happens when replaced

• Usage – Where, when, how much

• Own or rent

• Attachments

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MaterialsBuilding Blocks? Why?

Wrecking Balls? Why Not?

• Type• Cost• Reliability/performance/life cycle• Safety – employee & public• Compatibility• Availability• User friendly• Appearance• Purchasing requirements

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BudgetBuilding Blocks? Why?

Wrecking Balls? Why not?Funding in government gets all mixed up with external influences

• Funding allocations• Degree of control• Ability to move funds• Politics• Internal/External influences• Emergencies/disasters• Weather• Public• Media

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Big picture and long term planning

Vision

Departmental direction & long term goals

Leadership direction & long term goals

Employee direction & long term goals

VisionBuilding Blocks? Why?Provides DirectionMeasurement/goals

Management/employee consistencyBudgeting/appropriation guidance

Defines expectationsOpportunity

Wrecking Balls? Why Not?Fear

Lack of organizational knowledgeExternal influences

LazySomeone else's problem

Funding

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Bb

Goals / Long term successBuilding Blocks? Why?

Everyone wants to succeed!!!Purpose/meaning

DirectionAccomplishment

Wrecking Balls? Why Not?Fear

Lack of knowledge/understandingTraining

Tools/equipmentFundingExpert

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Departmental Direction & Long Term Goals

Building Blocks?AlignmentFunding

AccomplishmentWrecking Balls?

FearLack of knowledge/understanding

TrainingTools/equipment

FundingExpert

Leadership direction & long term goals

Employee direction & long term goals

Should be very similar.  There will be differences but overall both should be 

heading in the same direction.

Current Agency directionWhere we headed?

Better timesEmployee Benefits

Conservative outlookPolitical ViewsAging AssetsFunding 

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Better TimesHow do we know??

Employee Benefits

Conservative outlook

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Political Views Aging Assets

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Funding 

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Public sector employee pride

These blend together but we’ll dissect them for the presentation

AgencyDivisionPersonal

Agency

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Division Personal

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