Your team member is in a panic during a shutdown. How do you guide them back on track?

1 Stay Calm

Remaining calm yourself is the first step in managing a team member's panic during a plant shutdown. Your composed demeanor will serve as a stabilizing force. Speak to your colleague in a soothing tone, making eye contact to establish a connection. Remind them that they are not alone and that the team is there to support each other. By maintaining your own calm, you create an atmosphere of control and reassurance that can help mitigate their anxiety.

2 Assess Situation

Quickly assess the situation to understand the cause of your team member's panic. Ask concise questions to determine if their concern is due to a safety issue, a procedural error, or perhaps a lack of understanding of the shutdown process. This step is critical as it helps you address the root cause of the panic and provide clear, actionable advice or instructions to alleviate their concerns and redirect their focus to the task at hand.

3 Offer Support

Offering support is essential in helping a panicked team member during a shutdown. Let them know that their feelings are understood and that it's okay to feel overwhelmed. Offer guidance on breathing techniques or a brief moment to regroup if necessary. If the situation allows, delegate tasks to other team members to lighten their load. Your support will not only help them regain composure but also reinforce the team's unity in facing challenges together.

4 Prioritize Tasks

Help your team member prioritize their tasks to regain focus. Break down the shutdown process into manageable steps and assign clear, immediate goals. This approach can reduce feelings of being overwhelmed by providing a structured path forward. Prioritizing tasks will help them concentrate on what needs to be done right now, rather than worrying about the entire process.

6 Follow Up

After the immediate panic has been addressed and the shutdown is under control, follow up with your team member. Discuss what happened and explore strategies for managing stress in similar situations going forward. This conversation can provide valuable insights into improving your team's response to future shutdowns and help prevent panic from disrupting operations again.