Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine September 2022

HVACR NewsMagazine 2022

Tech News

Unapologetically a Technician By Bryan Orr on Aug 08, 2022

more who would never consider that title who are hardcore technicians in my book.

A Technician Wants to Understand

There is a big difference between knowing what to do and understanding. I was standing in line at the local fast food joint the other day, and I noticed all the teenagers moving around behind the counter, looking up at monitors, hitting buttons, filling drinks, and wrapping burgers.

For years, I've worked with and around people who view work, problems, and goals differently than I do. I've often told my wife that I have an issue managing and leading administrators, salespeople, and other inside staff. Why? It's because I just don't communicate in a way they seem to like. It's been 20 years in the trade now — and almost 15 in business — before I've come to a conclusion. I prefer working with technicians. Before you call all the dispatchers, accountants, and warehouse staff together with pitchforks and Molotov cocktails, hear me out. We aren't going to reach for a dictionary to define what a technician is. We are going with the “Potter Stewart” method of “I know it when I see it,” and I'm sure you do as well. Now, there are many people with the title of “technician” on their LinkedIn accounts th at don't pass my smell test. But there are many What is a Technician?

They all knew what to do to get me my food at Mickey D's, but suppose we were to put them in front of some raw ingredients in a home kitchen. Do they UNDERSTAND cooking? No. Of course, they don't.