12 Tips for Running and Managing a Crew

[@dericmederos1514]

Finally, someone says the "Its all on you" if you're the boss. Too many Instagram posts about "I build my own dream i don't work for anyone" and ignore how stressful it is that you are the bottom line as a boss, its on you 100% of the time

[@elc2k385]

This will probably be the perfect video for management in EVERY trade. Not even just the trades, but being an effective leader in whatever we do, in life. Very nice video.

[@cward1954]

This is a very good video for many professions. Profanities and all... I know some folks who would benefit from seeing this.

[@ElectricianU]

Thanks ekc 💪⚡️🤘

[@Bidenlost2020]

@@ElectricianU Dustin, I'm young and interested in becoming a residential electrician next year in the great state of TX! Any tips on how I can get started? Thanks!

[@TxJonathan]

The positivity tip is absolutely true for me. Being a 1st year apprentice, being told I'm a great worker pushes me to be even better and really makes my day

[@Stimy42069]

I've lead a small crew for years now, and I cannot stress to anyone reading this, just how accurate all of these tips are. He hits the proverbial hammer square on its head with this video. As a lead, its always on you, not your crew. You will deal with people who don't care, but you still have to be their cheerleader. You cannot allow your personal life to impact how you treat your crew. You have to be firm, consistent, and solid, while also being flexible enough to adjust to changing situations. You can train anything into anybody if you know what you're doing, and character definitely matters a lot more than skill level. No matter what you do, you cannot fix other people who don't want to be fixed. But you can make those willing, into phenomenal tradesmen.

[@MiddaJoice]

I really enjoy the videos you make about being in management/ foreman etc… I recently passed my j-man exam and have been slowly getting more responsibility and its unbelievably helpful to listen to this wisdom from an experienced master electrician/ business owner like yourself. Thank you Dustin.

[@artisanelectrics]

Great video for those of us running a growing electrical business! 👍

[@jasonfay2250]

This is extremely solid leadership advice. Including that we try to uphold it and often fail. Own it and move forward.

[@alanhargis8771]

I think this is one of your best videos. Thank you for sharing your insights on leading a crew and developing and managing employees.

[@MrGatlin98]

Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 0:38 - Tip 1: Everything is on you 2:43 - Tip 2: Nobody cares as much as you do 4:44 - Tip 3: It's your job to make everybody feel like they're doing great 6:27 - Tip 4: It's your job to also let people know when they're not doing a good job 10:37 - Tip 5: Be as solid as a rock but as fluid as water 13:53 - Tip 6: Set goals out for your employees 16:05 - Tip 7: Realize that some people just don't give a $h!t 17:17 - Tip 8: Listen to other people 18:51 - Tip 9: Admit when you are wrong 20:06 - Tip 10: Write stuff down 22:09 - Tip 11: Hire to the person not to the skill 23:39 - Tip 12: Fire to the person not to the skill 25:57 - Outro

[@ElectricianU]

Thank you for doing this

[@MrGatlin98]

@@ElectricianU Happy to help! Thank you for everything you do for us!

[@Lazdinger]

When you were talking about the instinct to immediately ‘tear someone a new one’ but “pulling it back”, it reminded me of something Jordan Peterson said. Basically, when it comes to life “become an absolute monster… and then learn to control it.”

[@mblifts594]

You really should put more out about supervisory topics. It’s interesting to hear what others say about the management side of things. I know I do.

[@alexbent8412]

In all reality share it but don't share it

[@moldings_etc]

New employees should watch this video!! I've hired and fired and missed a few of these points and it always bit me in the ass. Great vid!

[@mikesuchyta481]

I was hoping you'd upload this video at some point dude. Whenever I need a good kick in the ass, I turn on one of your videos about being a professional in the workplace. Things that suck, suck less when you realize people you look up to deal with the same bullshit.

[@dmbkersh]

I love all of these. As to giving someone plans to look at over the weekend, I would definitely ask them to honestly tell me how many hours they spent, and pay them for those hours. Their time is valuable and valued.

[@mr.c3928]

Dustin, I totally feel the love you have for your craft and to share leadership ABC's with students of yours in that heat, I can't say enough thanks. Bad ass!

[@xearo120]

Active duty military here, this is by far the best set of advice I have ever received for management hands down. I have E-7's, E-8's and hell even E-9's who could use this.

[@trinishrinarine416]

This guy has the ability to be real and he is genuine. We all can related to him. Its about time.

[@allangoh5107]

"Hits and misses". You've covered almost everything. Thank you for another one of the greatest videos of yours. We all have been through all these, been succeeded, and been fallen. Got me to track back my trade life of all kinds of sweetness and bitterness.

[@illestofdemall13]

"You're just handling bosshood shittily." Awesome quote.

[@dadthekidsshow1532]

Please do a video about must have journeyman tools!

[@matthewellis3004]

It’s a solid list made as the result of real world experience. These are things you learn from years of experience, and sometimes doing things the wrong way first, then eventually correcting the strategy. Experience is the best teacher, and failures are good teachers. Most people are just going to have to live through their mistakes to really learn and internalize these tips. But this is a good list for sure

[@johnfilce9236]

My favorite interview question is designed to find out how honest and reflective someone is. "Tell me about a project or task you did that either failed or had to be substantially changed. What went wrong and how did you handle it?"

[@michaelbertram9443]

I was asked that question once in an interview. I loved that question.

[@jamesbruley2843]

Scott Adams, the Dilbert creator said in a book years ago "a boss's primary job is to get rid of assholes, no matter how good they are at their job, they are rarely worth the damage they cause to the other employees." I really enjoyed this video, I love the fact that you said "everything is fixable, maybe expensive, but fixable."

[@martinblank4250]

Once again, as always, Dustin shows that "Attitude Is Everything." It's how shit gets done.

[@DiamondTech26]

I needed to hear this. One thing to add from my perspective, you can do everything right but sometimes there are things that are just out of your control. Supply shortages, can't get equipment because the rentals are all rented out, impossible deadlines, etc... as electricians, we have no shortage of work and at some point a customer or employee will become upset with us over a situation that is just beyond our power to control. I've had to learn to roll with it and explain that things don't always go as planned. As you said, own up to mistakes but be steadfast in your decisions.

[@redhermit4304]

Great advice, spot on. great channel, perfect for refreshing my knowledge after being away from the trade for a grip. You look like the twin of my Journeyman when I was an apprentice, so I find myself being more attentive. He was from Mississippi, nicknamed grit dog, and ran his jobs like a platoon grunt.

[@xjasonxbx1]

Good one! This is important! Being able to keep things flowing and efficient.

[@kemillheim]

Awesome video. I mange people in an office environment and every one of these tips applies. Should be a "Management 101" training video.

[@noiseismymiddlename5669]

This is a great video for people starting out anywhere. The ingredients of a great boss are in plain view.

[@MrRin_]

Dustin, thank you so much for making these videos and being selfless about it. You rock dude

[@newguy2794]

You definitely killed it with this video. Great job! Have a great day and be safe everyone!

[@AnthonySomes]

22:54 when I managed a pizza place. Every interview I went over my three basic requirements. Reliability was on one side of the scale and the other side was attitude and trainability. you want the hours these are your goals

[@SachsVDE]

The 2-nd is the coolest thing i've ever heard ...so true.."Your employees never care as much as You do.." Saint words i guess..?!🌟

[@kylewhite7819]

Do a video on started a new business during a recession. Just got my masters in Miami Florida

[@kevinantoine4891]

Thank you, I needed to hear this I don't run my own company but I hope to in the future... I'm a part-time electrician and a full time CAD technician, hopefully I can make a business out of both or use one to aid the other.

[@An0nAm0nda]

Hey, how’d you learn the CAD? Community College, or did you buy the program and teach yourself?

[@kevinantoine4891]

While i was in HS I registered through autodesk to gain "student access" I used mostly autocad for most of my assignments during school... in the Caribbean we have a variety of courses to choose from Technical drawing was one of them so I basically learned cad in HS and thought myself using YT videos, books and older people in that field. I was lucky to get a job in that field because I lack the adequate qualifications.

[@patrickjames1080]

Brilllliant - thank you! I'll add my rule of thumb - make 5 second decisions (not life threating) Right - keep making them Wrong - course correct

[@ianfreddy3804]

10/10!!! Going to watch this once a quarter. Love the channel. I work in the wine bizness but have been considering making a change due to your channel.

[@isakwilkinson2491]

Once again you have brought me an awesome video thank you so much keep making videos please oh please keep making these videos your words are at least being heard by me and many others I'm sure thanks

[@qapla]

Good video. Nice points. One slight adjustment - You got the title of #8 correct, "Listen to other people". Your explanation was "close". You said, "Part of being a good leader is being a good follower" ... It may be more apropos to say, "Part of being a good leader is being a good listener". You don't necessarily want to "follow" your crew - but you may want to listen to them. Some really good pints in this video. I really like the idea of hiring and/or firing the "people" not the "skill". Skill can be taught, personality shortcomings are not as easily fixed.

[@electricbro8136]

Thank you for this video I enjoyed the whole thing. I asked earlier in one of your videos, about leadership and you answered all the problems I’ve encountered. Love the channel keep ‘em coming.

[@therealjd1503]

You always have such great advice. Thanks

[@104silvae]

Great video and great advice as always. I will definitely come back to this periodically to remind myself. Thanks Dustin. Hope all is well with you.

[@brenthooser2661]

You the man bro thank you for all your teachings

[@Jason_Van_Stone]

I'm not a foreman, but I'm a "lead"...and the #1 thing I make sure to get through to newer co-workers, is if you're un-sure of ANYTHING, ask, ask, ASK!! Ask questions, you're not bugging me if you're willing to learn, and you can probably fk something up if not done right in the long run, to somebody else, or the business.

[@9944ify]

Wow, incredible video! Put my thoughts and feelings into actual words! Great to hear these tips as an apprentice.

[@mackfisher4487]

Glad your enjoying running a large electrical firm venting helps, hope your friend who owns the company is on the road to recovery.

[@julienisabelle217]

Awesome Thanks Man!!!!

[@rupe53]

Lotta good points covered in the video so I will dive into a couple in case others didn't get the full idea. Both the boss and the employee need to be humble at times. The old phrase about learning from mistakes is one that sticks with me but has different words.... We learn from experience, but unfortunately some of that learning is from a BAD experience. Next: If you are constantly behind schedule, then you need to rethink your allotment of time for each job. It may be that you have a slacker doing the work or it may be something else. (gotta find out) Once you have a certain number of employees the boss needs to delegate stuff. Basically one person can only manage about 5-6 people effectively. After that you need middle managers / team leaders / job foreman / etc.... and don't micromanage below that level. Let the guy in charge of the team solve the problem. (you may need to guide them) You mention keeping notes. I used sticky notes and placed them on each team leader's mailbox so they could be reviewed a few days later and tossed out as the tasks got done. (your method may vary) Last but not least.... the boss can't be an effective manager if he's working in the field putting out fires. His job is to keep the employees motivated so THEY get the job done. This goes back to keeping a schedule that's reasonable for all parties. If the job looks like it will run over, it's the boss's job (or team leader's) to notice this beforehand so phone calls can be made. Be ready to have the reason for the delay handy for your customer. (it helps)

[@LincolnSP150]

Silly comment, ... but in this video you kinda remind me of the actor Gene Evans. He was a Great Actor . You are a Great Electrician/Teacher. Thank You

[@ikerivers1795]

In the “modern” era, about last 20 years the Front Line Supervisor is akin to a Manager of a Baseball Team. Got to place your guys where the are most probable to succeed. “ Baseball Managing is like holding a bird in the hand, hold it too tight and the kill the bird. Hold it too loose and the bird flys away.”. Management is there to provide the Supervisor what they need. NOT to be undercutting the Sup with the rank and file.

[@Bazza-tn5ck]

Great video Dustin makes me feel a little better about how I feel with my employees. Makes total sense mate. 👍👍

[@13_13k]

Dustin --- great video. Great information. Every one of your points are quality advice for an owner, employer, foreman, superintendent, etc... The biggest problem right now that I'm having and a lot of companies are dealing with is the lack of people who want to work, who has even the slightest amount of trade skills. There just aren't bodies out there. You know and every other owner knows that we need to hire someone who is not going to ruin my name and is trustworthy, which is as you said, hire the person not the skill, that's true but I still need to make money and if I'm unable to tell my employee to go do a job without having to hold his/her hand the whole time it isn't beneficial to me. But, I also am mostly a service electrical contractor so I need someone to work for me that can do all aspects of electrical work, residential, commercial, installs, troubleshooting, interior, exterior, work on multi unit buildings, restaurants, retail stores, small houses, huge mansions and about half of my work is on locations for film and tv production so I could be in a historic home, a famous architecture home by Frank Lloyd Wright, or a cathedral, hospital, 150 yr old adobe ranch house or an office on the 50th floor of a high rise or a $50 million 40 room mansion or Malibu beach house with a one off chandelier that should be in a museum that is basically priceless because of the artist who made it is super famous and we need to have art gallery storage professionals take photos and measurements of how it hangs and every detail, wearing special latex gloves so not to get any oil from your skin on the fixture and they have a custom temperature controlled crate that the fixture will be suspended in way to be hanging but unable to move but without putting pressure on the fixture, that's the kind of work I do. And the whole time I've got famous decorators, art directors, cinematographers, set decorators, locations managers, the owner and their assistant or estate manager all counting on me to do whatever job within a certain time frame because in two hours or the next day there will be 100 film crew and big name actors and directors filming and I cannot have them waiting for me to do my job. I can't have just anyone as an employee working in that environment under my name which took me years of exceptional work and reliability to gain and earn that trust from all the major film and tv studios in the world. But I need to hire someone capable, and personable.

[@ikerivers1795]

They are around but want major pay and minor hours.

[@13_13k]

@@ikerivers1795 ---- that's for sure

[@ikerivers1795]

@@13_13k We have similar issue in Power Plants. I totally understand where they’re coming from.

[@kentarnesen8061]

Great effen list, integrity above all else.

[@elvizhernandez4305]

Having cool coworkers always makes it 1000x better not only for the formen but also for his workers themselves

[@marcmacdonald5862]

All excellent points and tips thank you. Agree with all of it

[@thedillpickle100]

I was never "the boss" however I often had green people dumped on me. Expected to do my work and magically bring the new guys speed and skill near to my level by payday. This pressure caused me to be unnecessarily critical at times. Still yet I live by the motto "I can fix ignorance, stupid is forever.".

[@user-OG-g]

“You’re handling bosshood shitily” lmao 🤣

[@crush9197]

My leads at my factory and every lead in all companies need to hear 👂 what this man is saying because since I am not a lead and have popped my knee out at the factory already I really don’t care about deadlines and when it’s time to go I go

[@crush9197]

But if my leads are nice to me I’ll eventually stay over and help a bit more

[@dylankampman5253]

😂that ending was amazing! loved the weird jumping pixel outro lol

[@alphasaiyan5760]

# 11 and # 12 are the most important out of this list.

[@bushgnome]

This was a fantastic topic for a video man, thank you!

[@rodolfovesga979]

Great video Dustin !!! Awesomeness lol!!! Thank you for the great information!!! Good job!!

[@Deejonamoo]

Hey Dustin! Could you do a video about the tools a journeyman needs, especially if an apprentice does not necessarily need them?I’m an apprentice and about to journey out. I know I’m gonna have to buy/upgrade a bunch of tools that I don’t have yet and there’s gonna be a massive learning curve when I first get my journeyman license. I just want to make sure I’m not forgetting anything.

[@markb.1259]

Excellent, EXCELLENT List!!! Please tell me you weren't sitting in your work van not running the A/C when it was 105° outside? haha

[@andrewhguitar]

This is an excellent video

[@bradkolb4228]

Good leaders will take the blame and give the credit.

[@michaelmassetti3126]

I can tell that you have incredible integrity... that's why I said I would be willing to help you logistically keep shit straight and have your back. I know you're looking for someone that. Is me I told you I got your back if u need it. I am working for a bad boss self caring etc. I just spent 432.00 for an install of a garage door opener with a bit of electric.... and it stopped working 2 days after . Gotta open it manually. Stayed with the installer the whole day provided lumber and conduit feed him kept him hydrated . This handyman and it's llc company hasn't returned my call to correct this . Got only lip service. Very disappointed. Very frustrated and to correct it takes 2 people.

[@lkj0822g]

Lot of great points about running a business. I keep going back to my HVAC contractor experience where a guy started his HVAC company up with one guy (himself) and a truck. Built his business over time to the point where he probably had 10-15 employees. Problem was, he wasn't watching them. I had used this guy for about ten years and hired him to do a complete tear out and replacement on a hvac system on one of my rental properties. The job went south from the onset (bad specifications on the new unit) and then shoddy workmanship. OK, things happen. I called the owner up and he tried to "patch" things. No, not fixing the core issue of the unit was sized incorrectly. Never got the system fixed to my satisfaction. I retained about 25% from the price (I paid this before I realized the extent of the issues). Got to the point where we were swapping certified letters. I'm not happy, he's not happy. I've never used him since. He has lost out of thousands of dollars of work from me because he didn't watch what his employee was doing and then (worse) he didn't fix what his employee messed up. You have to remember, it's your name on the side of the truck, not your employee's.

[@SergeSchwartz]

Put their names on the side of the truck....problem solved. 🤯

[@jordanadams5902]

best thing i can say from a lower position is that I will 100% put the extra push in if there's a reason to. not busting my ass or working OT to make my boss an extra buck if nothing extra is trickling down to me. you get the work you pay for in employees.

[@clydecoffey1128]

that is why i subscribed to your channel

[@mattbickford2640]

Dude! Im up for this vid! Also! Sweet spider tat!

[@dhender85]

I worked with a guy who was hired as a journeymen. He was helping me on a job, so I had him wire up the panel and gutter. He did it wrong, and ended up connecting the garage door opener to the lighting circuit, which then lead me to blow up my strippers when I cut a hot and neutral together. I sent him a couple pictures, and told him that if he wasn't sure what's going on, it if my instructions weren't clear to ask so we can avoid troubleshooting and blowing up tools. He responded very aggressively that I must have ground out on the box, and that it's no way his fault. I found out later that after I texted him, he got mad, packed up his tools, left the job, cleaned out his truck, and quit.

[@chorgzent.3978]

using the correct language love it!

[@ring-and-run]

Write it down. Sage advice, in my opinion. So many little details get lost in the mix and those who think that they will remember the details probably will not. Daily documentation gives your mind more space to focus on the present, as the safety net of documentation allows one to build a set of instruction that can be reviewed in an instant. Those nifty 40 page “field notes” work well for me.

[@kaden1997]

Another wise video, good stuff Dustin!

[@jeremymullen6149]

Admirable farmers tan, Dustin

[@travisbruno1988]

I just got done after a year And a half running ×2 1million sq ft jobs a thousand ft from each other. So i cant wait to hear this...

[@jimmorge8983]

As usual, awesome video. One of the things that came to mind with dealing with subordinates came from one of my old Sargeants Major. I was told to remember the four Ps. “Punish in Private and Praise in Public “. This works most of the time, but on occasion you just have to get into someone’s ass.

[@hunterfields4038]

Keep it up man

[@leekazuya1305]

leaders who hits all 12 points are rare, i am lucky to work under a leadhand who is solid during my apprenticeship, a lot of people who are given power change for the worst lol

[@MrDontcareify]

I think another trait to add to a leader is to keep processes simple, or at the very least as simple as they can be. And explain to employees why processes are the way they are (because some will simply not understand them without explaining them). I worked for a company not too long ago that was unintentionally making simple processes more complicated than they needed to be. I think your 11th point was perfect, too. At my last job they hired a journeyman who on paper had all the right skills, and he certainly had the knowledge and experience to be a great employee, but his personality traits were terrible. This journeyman often made mistakes because he wanted to get off the job earlier than everyone else, even though he was paid more than everyone else too (besides the owner of the company). Then he wouldn’t clean up his mistakes, either. I could go on but he had the skills but his personality wasn’t tolerable or fixable and often made the company look bad.

[@steveguzman19]

Do you not like Air Conditioning? Awesome Video!!!!

[@lilinamanda5299]

This is the best speech ever 👏

[@HappyZappy]

Just an idea. If u are willing to use the panel as is. Sounds like the cover trim edge is to small. Have u considered having a metal shop add to the cover u got, to make it fit. If its only an outer edge issue.

[@tlhIngan]

I think all people in management should watch this video. Not just trades, but skilled professionals in management as well. "Human Resources" is something that needs to be abolished, because it assumes people are plug and play - you can hire someone off the street with a skill to do a job and whoever you pick will do the job according to their skill. It's what leads to toxic workplaces because some rockstar gets hired who doesn't mesh well with the team and ends up causing more damage. Hire good people who work well together - this is hard, because a team player in one situation may not be a team player in another, but if you find a compatible person, hire them and train them. Skills can be learned. But far too many people hire for skills rather than hire for people. And yeah, there are people who don't care, but may be able to contribute temporarily, keyword being temporarily. Also, it's what's causing the whole problem with companies being short-staffed. People got laid off, started realizing they deserved better, and went elsewhere to get treated better - with absolutely no intention of returning to their previous shitty job.

[@chrisluna635]

Over time is fine and dandy. But, too much will make you unhealthy. Mentally, physically, and spiritually.

[@stephendyment7932]

Number 2 is the hard truth!

[@RJFerret]

Holy crap, that was a serious wisdom dump, and in over 100° heat too.

[@PierreKerbage]

I'll add three more. Sometimes, we are too quick to hire and too slow to fire. Set and define the expectations and if an employee doesn't meet them, coach them once, coach them twice and then let them go as they may not be the right fit for the company. Second, be more of a TACT tician and less a TECH nician. And third, the things that happen in life and on a job are NOT the things you expect, but the things you INSPECT. Be sure that the employees know that YOU (or a manager) will be inspecting their job, and hold them accountable. That does not mean you micromanage them, quite the opposite - it means that you will just judge the results.

[@greentjmtl]

Your #1 is literally the inverse of his #12

[@PierreKerbage]

@@greentjmtl Yes it is -

[@PierreKerbage]

What are some of YOUR pet peeves? Let's learn from each other. We never graduate from the school of learning.

[@kengreer3302]

I wish alot of management had you outlook

[@brianyeaney48]

Great tips

[@jarrydee2799]

I have had an apprentice point out an easier way of doing something than I was thinking of doing.

[@ericisnominal]

This is full of gold

[@ryanlorenti469]

these are really good tips

[@Hfakas]

Well said Dustin!

[@thewiseguy390]

It’s very hard to stay motivated on the crew when you’re not even making 20 an hour tho !

[@r1p969]

you can't expect to jump in and make the same a foreman or journeyman. We bust our ass to get here and have a positive mindset for it. We all start somewhere and the more you care the faster your pay will increase and possible leadership roles.

[@SergeSchwartz]

I get that. I don't live in a super expensive area but even gas stations are starting people off here at $16/hr. These bigger companies are raising their pay alot quicker than the electrical ones. $20/hr, in my opinion, what the minimum starting wage should be.

[@billrichcreek7272]

Very well said...

[@erich1380]

God I wish my boss could see this. I'm a foreman that runs commercial projects and I'm one of those guys that cares more than most and works weekends when I have to and it just doesn't seem like I get the credit I deserve for clearly going beyond what's typically required. I'm constantly on the phone with contractors, writing up change orders all the time. It never fuckin ends. And like Dustin said, an owner can't look at me like, well I do all that shit too! Because he makes way more money than I will. Best I can dream for is overtime which is such a tax slap that it doesn't even benefit me that much

[@subvet694]

Figuring out a quick solution beats shitting a chicken… Every time😎

[@chrisfyfe1476]

Good One , Sir !