The master builder is dead

In bygone ages buildings were constructed by master builders. This skilled individual designed the building, hired the trades people and managed every aspect of construction. If any decisions needed to be made during construction, the master builder made them. The work was simple and the master builder was highly skilled. It worked.

For a while…

Eventually the complexity of buildings overwhelmed the ability of one person to understand all aspects of construction. Construction evolved to develop systems of communication that force the leader of a complex project to check in with both the project experts, (Fire protection, heating, electrical, etc.) and with external parties (Owners, insurers, authorities) each time an issue arises that causes a major deviation from the plan. In this system, many of the often fatal decisions made at the end of the master builder era are avoided and more effective decisions are made by utilizing the combined expertise.

The master builder is dead in construction, but it is not dead in most workplaces. High performance individuals are often deferred to much more than they should be. These same individuals are usually promoted into leadership without proper training, only exacerbating the problem.

A great leader seeks to get the input of key people as decisions are made because that leader is both humble about their own knowledge (or lack thereof), and aware that the involvement of more people in the process will improve the final decision while also generating more buy-in from all involved.

IBEX Payroll extends our profound respect and immeasurable gratitude to all the ancestors and keepers of the land on whose traditional territories our work takes place. We acknowledge that we are on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional gathering place of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene people and the traditional homeland of the Métis people. This land is sacred, historical, and significant.

Every time we acknowledge this truth, we have an invitation and an opportunity to reflect on the wrongs of the past, what we do in the present, and what we can do to continually honour the people whose lands and water we benefit from today.

This statement only acts as a first step in honouring the land we reside on and its peoples, and must be paired with education, understanding and informed action.