What They Taught Me Still Applies

Abstract

Good, consistent and strong leadership is the key to achieving great results in a work force. This paper will relate how lessons from early in my career have been applied to empower the Quilpie Shire workforce to achieve outstanding results in the construction of outback roads at low cost and high quality. Quilpie Shire Council has decided to construct to bitumen standard the Quilpie-Adavale Red Road. Initially over 80 km was unsealed. In the past 2 years, 15 kilometers have been sealed from an unsealed loam road. Initial results were satisfactory however poor quality was occurring. This was in part due to inexperienced supervisors, extreme temperatures of 40 degrees plus, long cart distances for water of over 50 km, and a lack of understanding of compaction science. The end result was a failure of 2.5 km of road just prior to Christmas 2020, which resulted in costly rework and embarrassment. A reboot of the gang and processes were done. No staff changed, we imported a stabilser to mix the loam base, and we adopted formal rolling patterns. All of this required leadership to achieve. The staff had to be convinced that they could do better processes for less cost and have something to be proud of as the end product. Semi formal meetings were held, roller compaction training carried out, and there was a regular on site presence from management supporting the staff. The end result is that in a period of five months, Council constructed and sealed 6.2 km of road with no failures at a cost of $246,000 per kilometre. They also widened and sealed 9 km of highway between Quilpie and Charleville. A great team effort with only 10 staff and 4 contract staff across two sites. This paper will explain how this outcome derives its roots from my experiences as a cadet draughtsman, technical officer and junior engineer. it will explain how leadership at a grass root level is the best way to achieve great outcomes.