What does it take to lead a facilities team with both empathy and efficiency in today’s complex environments?
Tatyana Blankenship, a facilities team leader with expertise in agriculture, biotech, facilities management, and regulatory compliance, shares valuable insights into team management, including the "five by five" exercise, which helps uncover individual work preferences. She discusses the drawbacks of rigid leadership styles and highlights the importance of humility, kindness, and flexibility in effective management.
Tatyana also reflects on her unconventional path into facilities management, drawing from her diverse background, including her experiences as an EMT and a stay-at-home parent. The conversation covers challenges like building contamination, the need for proactive communication with other departments, and the value of being a visible, approachable presence on the team.
Throughout the episode, Tatyana underscores the role of empathy and the importance of building strong relationships with vendors and colleagues. The episode wraps up with a look at her involvement with IFMA and past experiences with other organizations.
Takeaways:
- Conduct Regular 5x5 Exercises: Use structured one-on-ones to understand team members' work styles and visibly share insights to improve communication.
- Embrace the ‘Hire Slowly, Fire Quickly’ Philosophy: Take time to hire the right people and act swiftly when someone disrupts team harmony.
- Remove Defensiveness from Difficult Conversations: Listen openly to concerns and collaborate on solutions to build trust and reduce conflict.
- Pair New Employees with Experienced Team Members: Implement mentorship to accelerate onboarding and encourage knowledge sharing.
- Maintain Visibility as a Leader: Be present, walk the floor, and engage with your team to build trust and demonstrate commitment.
- Practice Proactive Cross-Department Communication: Hold regular meetings with other departments to align goals and prevent misunderstandings.
- Document Everything: Keep detailed records of issues and maintenance to identify trends, justify budgets, and support decision-making.
Quote of the Show
Kindness and empathy will get you a lot farther at 2:00 AM when you need a vendor to come out — they’re much more likely to show up if you’ve built a good relationship with them.
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