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The Field Story: The Tension of Constant Access
The sun was hot on my neck as I stood by the water on the first day of my first week off as a project engineer. I was trying to stay present, but I kept feeling my phone vibrate in my pocket.
It was a message from the office asking for a quick clarification on a submittal. Even though I was away from the trailer, I could feel the stress building as my mind drifted back to work. My body was on a break, but my brain was still thinking about lead times and verifying the delivery schedule.
That tension showed me that I hadn't provided a clear path for the management of my scopes while I was away.
The Deep Dive: Building a Path for Independence
Moving away from that tension requires a shift toward better coordination. I learned that I needed to focus on giving the project team the information they need so they don't have to call me. A few days before I leave, I set things up so the team can move the project forward without me.
The steps for this are built in three parts:
First, I make a list of the items from my scopes that need attention. This goes beyond a simple to-do list; I include direct links to folders and file paths for submittals and inspections. When the project team has the information, they don't have to call me just to find a file.
Second, I start my auto-reply the evening before I leave and block my calendar for the time I am away. This manages the expectations of anyone trying to reach me and tells them exactly who to contact instead. This prevents people from waiting for an answer from me and stops them from scheduling meetings while I’m out, which means there is less to clean up when I get back.
Third, I send a message to the subcontractors and the architect I am currently working with. I identify the point of contact of my team members who can support them while I'm out so they have a clear path forward that doesn't involve me.
By organizing the details ahead of time, I can remove the search time that usually forces a superintendent to pick up the phone.
The Life Tip: Rest as a Requirement for Endurance
Organizing my work this way is about more than just a quiet vacation. I have come to see that ocassionally creating space between myself and the project is a requirement for long-term endurance. If I never pull back to gain perspective, I lose the ability to think clearly needed to recognize site hazards or potential issues before they cost the project. Taking a real break allows me to return with more clarity.
There is a truth in Psalm 127:2: "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest... for he gives to his beloved sleep."
High-performance involves trusting my preparation enough to actually find rest. I'm learning that I'm not being idle; I am performing the mental maintenance required to lead with clarity when I step back into the field.
Find rest this week so you can lead with strength.
Cormac Mahalick
