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Voice of Experience – From the Field to the Foreman’s Office – Mastering Leadership in the Utility Industry

Written by Podbean Account on . Posted in Voice of Experience Podcasts.

In this episode, Danny Raines, CUSP, joins the show to discuss the critical transition from being a crew member to a leader in the utility industry. Drawing from his extensive career—from journeyman lineman to safety consultant—Danny explores the challenges of supervision, such as navigating generational differences and the importance of communication skills. The conversation delves into the “glass house” effect, highlighting how a leader’s actions on and off the job, including on social media, influence safety culture. Danny also breaks down different leadership styles, advocating for servant leadership as the most effective approach for modern crews.

Buy Danny’s Book – https://www.amazon.com/Legends-Ole-Lineman-learning-Journeyman-ebook/dp/B0FXN6G7V8/ref

Key Takeaways:

  • The Difficulty of Transition: Moving from a “doer” to a leader is a long road because it is often easier to do the job yourself than to get others to do it according to expectations.
  • The “Glass House” Effect: Leaders must realize they are always being watched by their crew and peers. This extends to social media, where liking or interacting with unsafe content can undermine a leader’s credibility and influence new apprentices negatively.
  • Servant Leadership: The most successful leadership style is “servant leadership,” defined by Danny as never asking a crew member to do something the leader hasn’t done or isn’t willing to help with.
  • Admitting Knowledge Gaps: Leaders should never “blow smoke” or pretend to know everything. If a leader doesn’t know the answer, they should admit it, pause the work, and find the correct information to maintain trust.
  • Generational Awareness: Effective leadership requires understanding generational differences (e.g., Baby Boomers vs. Millennials) and adapting communication styles to different personality profiles.
  • Succession Planning: A vital first step for any new supervisor is to identify and mentor the person who will eventually replace them.

Questions & Answers

1. What inspired Danny Raines to write his recent article on leadership? Danny was inspired by reflecting on his own career progression from a crew member to various leadership roles, as well as a book written by his pastor titled Yes, I Can, which resonated with his experiences of rising to new challenges.

2. How does Danny define the “Glass House” concept in leadership? The “Glass House” means that a leader is constantly under observation. Everything they do, whether on the job site or on social media, is seen by others, and mistakes or endorsements of unsafe behavior (even online) can negatively influence the workforce.

3. What are the four main leadership styles discussed in the podcast? Danny identifies four primary styles: Autocratic (authority-based), Democratic (voting/consensus-based), Bureaucratic (rule-governed), and Servant Leadership (leading by example and support).

4. Why is “Servant Leadership” preferred over the “Autocratic” style in today’s workforce? While autocratic leadership (“my way or the highway”) was common in the past, it creates friction, especially with younger generations. Servant leadership fosters better buy-in because the leader reasons with the crew, explains the “why,” and proves they are willing to do the work themselves.

5. What should a leader do if they encounter a situation they don’t understand? They should immediately stop and admit they aren’t sure, rather than acting like they know. Danny advises saying, “I’m not real sure about this, but let me check and I’ll get right back with you,” to avoid breaking trust or causing safety issues.

6. What is Danny’s “one piece of advice” for new leaders? His advice is “Don’t rush it.” Leadership takes time and experience to build. He urges new leaders to be humble, learn as they go, and seek advice rather than expecting to know everything immediately.

#UtilitySafety #LeadershipDevelopment #LinemanLife #ServantLeadership #SafetyCulture #CUSP

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