Facility Rockstars | Honest Communication Drives Successful Teams - Dustin Bussard - Facility Rockstars

Honest Communication Drives Successful Teams - Dustin Bussard - Facility Rockstars - Episode # 047

January 30, 2025 / 52:05/E47

Do you ever struggle to find the right words when communicating in high-pressure situations?

Dustin (Dusty) Bussard is a U.S. Navy veteran and current CirCor Aerospace and Defense facilities manager. Dustin shares his experiences working in the Submarine Corp. and how he deals with tough conversations. He also discusses the importance of prioritizing customer needs, the challenges and benefits of CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems), and the significance of relationship building in both military and civilian roles.

Dustin emphasizes honesty in communication, shares personal anecdotes from his Navy career, and offers practical advice on team management, especially in facilities settings. He also talks about the impact of his upbringing in a small town on his work ethic and values.

Takeaways:

Understand the needs of your customer: Prioritize tasks based on customer needs to address critical issues first and maintain a good relationship while using resources efficiently.
Manage priorities within the system: Use a system (e.g., CMMS) to organize and prioritize tasks, ensuring urgent ones are completed promptly and preventing miscommunication.
Listen first: Focus on understanding others’ concerns and perspectives to improve responses, solutions, and relationships.
Build relationships: Foster positive relationships with your team, management, and vendors to promote smoother operations, cooperation, and easier negotiations.
Use CMMS for managing maintenance tasks and priorities: Organize work orders, track preventive maintenance, and manage parts inventory to improve operational efficiency through regular updates.
Give your team what they need: Provide necessary resources to employees while managing expectations, ensuring they have the tools to succeed without unnecessary extras.
Stay even-keeled: Maintain a calm demeanor in stressful situations to support clear communication, effective decision-making, and team stability.

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