BE CLEAR BEFORE THE JOB STARTS
Lu Pillar: Communicate Clearly
Toolbox time: About 5 minutes
Use this if: Jobs are being redone, people are waiting for answers or you keep hearing, “That’s not what I thought you meant.”
THE POINT
Before the job starts, make it clear what needs to be done, what finished looks like and what the person can decide for themselves.
The person doing the job doesn’t have all the information in your head. A few extra minutes at the start can save a lot more time fixing things later.
WHAT IT CAN LOOK LIKE
Saying “Just sort that out when you get a chance.”
Two people think they are responsible for the same job.
A job gets finished, but it is not what you expected.
Work stops because nobody knows who can make the next call.
The crew starts the job and finds out halfway through that the plan was different.
The same work has to be done again.
TALK ABOUT IT
Before the next job starts, make six things clear:
Job: What are we doing?
Reason: Why are we doing it?
Who: Who is leading the job?
Finished: What does done look like?
Your call: What can the person or crew decide themselves?
Timing: When does it need to be done?
Then ask: “Anything I’ve missed before we start?”
The people doing the job may know something you don’t.
USE THESE WORDS
“The job is [job]. We need it done because [reason]. [Name] is leading this job. Done means [standard]. You can make the call on [decision]. Check with me if [limit]. We need it done by [time]. Anything I’ve missed?”
If the job is given verbally, make sure the agreed instructions are also recorded somewhere people can come back to, such as the job card, work order, shift board or site system.
DO THIS
Use the six points on one job today.
CHECK NEXT TIME
Look at any jobs that had to be changed or done again.
Ask: “Was the work wrong, or was the job not clear enough at the start?”
That shows you where clearer instructions could save time.
NEED MORE SUPPORT?
Lu offers two next step options.
Run It gives your crew practical tools to work through the issue.
Embed It provides independent support to understand what is driving the problem, tailor the response and help the change stick.
