Influencing your employees and team members is one of the most important and challenging parts of being a leader, but it’s essential if you’re going to create safe and productive workplaces. Unfortunately, employees don’t always listen to or follow through on your guidance. Sometimes that’s because they really don’t know what they need to do. But it might also be that they’re unclear on what action to take and when. Or maybe there are obstacles in their way. However, the real reason might be deeper than that. Maybe the person you’re trying to influence thinks they know better than you or maybe they don’t like being told what to do. 

Often the inclination is to address all problems as knowledge problems which means providing your employees more information on what to do and when. But if it’s a deeper motivation, that isn’t going to help. It might even backfire. Even the best-intentioned leaders can unknowingly make the situation worse by using communication styles that trigger more resistance.

“But I Don’t Wanna” is one of nearly 50 education sessions offered at ATSSA’s 51st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo, held online Feb. 8-12 and 16-18.

Attend the Open Forum on Workforce Development at ATSSA’s 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo to be part of the dialogue among key stakeholders on the challenges facing roadway safety infrastructure industry in hiring and retaining a viable workforce.

Hear from experts during a two-hour session on Feb. 10 and engage in the discussion to help identify partners and resources. 

Jeffrey Zaharewicz, acting director of the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Center for Accelerating Innovation and Office of Innovative Program Delivery, will serve as facilitator.

ATSSA staff took part in the recent Every Day Counts (EDC) Virtual Summit, coming away with ideas to enhance workforce development efforts.

EDC is the state-based model that identifies and rapidly deploys proven innovations in transportation. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) program aims to shorten the project delivery process, enhance roadway safety, reduce traffic congestion and integrate automation.

The recent EDC Virtual Summit highlighted programs being employed by local transportation agencies and departments of transportation (DOTs). Its intent was to engage and stakeholders in day-to-day operations of the business of transportation.

In an era when the #MeToo movement has garnered widespread attention, employers need to be vigilant to make sure everyone on their team understands what sexual harassment is, how to avoid it and, should it occur, how to report it.

ATSSA’s new online Workplace Training provides a quick, simple and cost-effective solution and includes courses for specific states to meet their individual requirements.

It’s not too late to submit your proposals to lead education sessions for the 51^st Annual Convention & Traffic Expo scheduled for San Diego from Jan. 29 through Feb. 2. ATSSA has extended the deadline to July 9 to allow more time for industry experts to provide their insights and expertise during this annual event, which is confirmed for 2021.

Sessions that can be conducted virtually or pre-recorded are of particular interest as well as topics that address how you dealt with the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic.