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moldmakingtechnology.com 39 is no place to be inattentive. If a technician observes a danger- ous method in practice (whether it is dangerous to a person or a mold), that technician should call it out. Always pay atten- tion to those working nearby and do not assume all is well. Capable. The skilled technician always sets shop standards for what the rest of the shop wants to achieve. Unfortunately, hav- ing great skills does not always bode well for being a team play- er. Many highly skilled technicians get labeled "prima-donnas," as they occasionally display attitude toward those in authority. Honest. Liars, thieves, troublemakers, gossip hounds, loud- mouths and bullies are not welcome and should not be accept- ed in today's lean, competitive, professional and productive shops. There is nothing more cancerous to a productive team atmosphere than these personality types. Integrity is essential. Humble. In a competitive shop, the humble technician can help transform a freelancing, tribal shop culture to a team-based culture. This is opposed to the "blow-hard" who consistently degrades someone else's work, complains about everything and requires constant validation of his or her efforts. The skilled, humble technician is difficult to find, but the cultural benefits of building a humble, skills-rich team is undeniable. Respectful. Many repair technicians take great pride in owning their tools and tool boxes, which are expensive, require care during use and storage and often are passed down from generation to generation. So, it is not good shop etiquette to borrow tools without the owner's knowledge, to misuse them or fail to return them in the same condition in which they were borrowed. A shop needs technicians who are respectful of each other and of each other's things. Good sport. When something doesn't go the way that one thinks it should, or a technician is slighted, made fun of in a harmless way or is the victim of a prank, a good sport can take it in stride and not allow it to ruin relationships or affect shop camaraderie. But above all, building a team of shop mates takes leaders and mentors. I am not referring to the typical leader who is often associated with management skills. I am talking about being a shop leader. One who leads with the pace he or she sets day in and day out. This person works steadily and smartly and stays focused on the mold. The leader is not distracted by internal gossip and the constant drama over the delegation of tasks. A shop leader can set the tone for daily activities by taking on the larger, more difficult challenges over which others would get cranky. Therefore, the value of mentors is apparent. It is imperative to have a mentor or two who can train inexperienced techni- cians, guide them in good decision-making, and show them how to get along with management and how to act properly in difficult situations. Many of those from younger generations did not grow up working on mechanical things, so they tend to get frustrated much faster than their older counterparts. Older, wiser mentors are also open to ideas from younger technicians and don't stifle new approaches. They acknowledge that ideas and methods from a fresh set of eyes is valuable. Lastly, men- tors help younger technicians with life decisions, not just mold decisions. This is important, because if a person is happy in life, then he or she is probably happy at work too. CONTRIBUTOR Steve Johnson is president of MoldTrax Maintenance Solutions, which provides specialized course work, hands-on bench training, maintenance software, maintenance products, toolroom design and maintenance efficiency auditing. FOR MORE INFORMATION MoldTrax Maintenance Solutions / 419-281-0790 steve@moldtrax.com / moldtrax.com LEARN MORE For more from Steve Johnson, visit moldmakingtechnology.com/ zones/mold-maintenance-and-repair . HASCO Webinar Enable a Standard in Hot Runner Design October 24, 2017 Guide bush Z 14 /. . . With sliding layer in sintered metal with a fine-pored solid lubricant and embedded oil. - Integral solid lubricant reservoirs - Aligned to the HASCO ejector packages - Integral solution for dynamic dry operation - Embedded oil - Steel body - Minimal outlay on maintenance - Available ex stock www.hasco.com I keep it clean.