Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
I also take care of the safety of others because their safety is essential for
the prosperity of the tribe, and others take care of my safety.
”
Conflicting role expectations: Do managers manage care or exchange?
During the last century, we have seen a transfer from family-owned
companies to money-driven companies. Suddenly the owner is an
invisible stockowner and the tribe leader has become a CEO who is
responsible for giving return on the invested money. This change in
responsibility has also changed the psychological contract. Work is
seen as the exchange of time, competencies, and money. The concept
of care is replaced by a top-down responsibility from the manager for
the behavior of the employee. It is expected that the boss controls the
behavior of his employees and that the employees follow the com-
mands of the boss. Transferring this principle to safety:
I act safely as
far as I want to, and my boss is responsible for the safety of the envi-
ronment, including the safety behavior of my colleagues.
“
”
The confusion is that we all work in the mix of two worlds: pro-
grammed as tribe member but working in the company of a stranger.
Deep in our heart, we know that we have to take care of each other
s
safety, but we easily shift the responsibility to the boss if this is conve-
nient for us. Management intuitively knows that leading the team as a
caring family head generates the highest appreciation of team mem-
bers. But management also knows that they have to sell a company
policy even it is conflicting with the interest of the team. And if pro-
blems appear
'
—
for example, if trespassing of safety boundaries leads to
—
incidents
they will be held responsible. All managers have to find
their way in this confusing dilemma.
9.2 MANAGEMENT AS A MODEL
The best way to get out of this confusion is to act as a family head
who himself makes no distinction between what he expects of his
employees and how safely he behaves himself.
Because of his formal power, the manager has a higher attractive-
ness as model. He is being watched, and both his words and deeds are
followed closely. A difference between doing and saying can have a
