Dewdrops, Discipline & Decisions
Key Points – 10th April
-
Morning began with photos of nature—snails, dew, green grass, plant in background
-
Sprinted to workshop at siren; joined team just in time for the prayer
-
Greeted team with "ABCD" safety message; emphasized collective safety responsibility
-
Shared approach for handling language barriers using Google Translate
-
Discussed and initiated solution for Raw Mill isolation system
-
Unexpected visit from PDG Sir and Director General—but stayed prepared
-
Strict message to Mechanical HOD: no delay in decision-making
A Morning in Motion: From Snails to Sirens
This morning, I walked into the plant not as a manager, but as an observer of life.
Snails crawling slowly, green grass glistening with dewdrops, and the plant quietly forming a powerful backdrop. Nature had a stillness, and yet, the story it told was full of movement.
It was one of those rare, peaceful mornings where the camera lens becomes your eye.
And then—the siren.
That stillness shattered into the rhythm of routine.
I ran—yes, ran—towards the workshop. The team cheered, some even clapped as I skidded in just in time. Prayer began, and I stood there, a little breathless but smiling inside.
It felt good to start the day with the team, as one among them.
ABCD of Safety: A Message for All
In my talk, I greeted everyone with my usual “ABCD” safety message.
Then I urged each one:
“Please say it to at least one more person. Spread the habit. It’s a simple greeting, but it carries a message: Always Be Careful, Dear friend.”
I reminded them that even if 99 people are careful, 1 careless act can endanger the entire system.
Our Safety Officer narrated an incident—he saw someone throwing trash and politely asked him to pick it up.
I shared a practical way to handle such situations:
“Don’t argue. Walk up with a smile. Pick up the trash yourself in front of him. Say—Please don’t do this again. That act of humility and responsibility makes a bigger impact than any shouting ever could.”
The Language of Safety: Overcoming Communication Barriers
In the Daily Plant Meeting, we discussed the ever-present challenge of language gaps among workers.
I shared my method:
-
Frame a Yes/No question
-
Translate it using Google Translate
-
Play the audio or show the translated sentence on mobile
-
Watch their face light up with a smile
This method builds more than understanding—it builds connection.
Even if we don’t speak the same language, we can still listen, learn, and lead.
Raw Mill Woes: Finding Solutions in Chaos
We’re facing a major issue with our Raw Mill (Ball Mill).
Due to careless modifications over the years, there’s no proper isolation system.
If we need to inspect or work inside, we have no choice but to shut down the entire plant.
That’s a criminal waste of time, energy, and fuel.
Today, I gave clear instructions:
“Create a bypass system—offline or otherwise—so we can isolate the Raw Mill even while the rest of the plant runs.”
With this system, even if Raw Mill work takes 16 hours, we can keep the kiln and rest of the plant running for 12 hours, stopping only briefly at the beginning and end.
This means:
-
Fuel savings
-
Better utilization of manpower
-
Shorter plant stoppages
-
And most importantly—safe working conditions
This is the kind of solution-making that separates firefighters from planners.
Unexpected Visitors, Unshaken Mindset
Evening brought a surprise visit from PDG Sir and the Director General.
No one informed me beforehand, but I was ready.
I don’t prepare for visitors. I keep myself prepared always.
As expected, there were no interrogations—just a brief interaction. I shared the key issues, key initiatives, and moved on.
Leadership Needs Urgency
Finally, I had a one-on-one with the Mechanical HOD.
I’ve observed too many delays in decisions, too many “pending approvals,” and “waiting for clarity.”
So today, I said it bluntly:
“Don’t delay. If you have a doubt, clarify it immediately. But act. Don’t make problems wait while we wait for perfection.”
In plants, delays cost dearly—in downtime, in trust, and in energy.
Every second matters.
Closing Thought: Dewdrops and Decisions
Today was a perfect blend of small beauty and big decisions.
From capturing snails in the early dew to initiating system-level change in the Raw Mill,
From humming a silent prayer to helping someone understand a question in their language,
From being caught off-guard by a VIP visit to holding ground with a direct report—
It was a complete day.
And through it all, I kept reminding myself:
Even if the road is full of faults, we must walk it mindfully—with open eyes, steady steps, and a pocket full of solutions.
Comments
Post a Comment