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The ‘Birdies, Bogeys and Pars’ of Union Leadership

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The ‘Birdies, Bogeys and Pars’ of Union Leadership

– Guest Post by Fred Romanuk, Ph.D.

I asked Pete Marchese if I could write a monthly article on ‘Union Leadership’. He said, “I don’t know. Why don’t you write something and we’ll see if anyone reads it.” But, first, do a Bio so people know who you are”.

So, here goes. My name is Fred Romanuk, I am a Canadian, I worked out of Vancouver for most of my life from my own company, but from Baltimore for a number of years as Senior VP for an international consulting company, and I am an ‘Organizational Psychologist’. That simply refers to the fact that I have a Ph.D. in organizational psychology.

So what does that mean?

farmers

Well, to illustrate, there were 2 farmers talking to each other across a fence about their kids.

The first farmer said, “I here yer boy went off to College”.

The second farmer replied, “Yup, yup, he did”.

“What’s he doin there”? asked the first farmer.

“Well, he told me he wants to get this here BS Degree”.

“I reckon I know what that stands fer” said the second farmer.

“Yup, yup” said the first farmer. “Then he wants to stay there and get this here MS degree”.

“What does that stand fer?” asked the second farmer.

“I reckon that stands fer, More of the Same”

“What is he goin to do then” asked the first farmer.

“Well, then we wants to get this here Ph.D.”

“So what does that stand fer?” asked the second farmer.

“I reckon that stands fer, Piled Higher and Deeper”

*  *  *

Most of what I know about organizations I learned from my clients, not from school. And, I am a damn good Organizational Psychologist. I have worked with companies for 40 years and Unions for about 20 years. During that time, I have coached many Supervisors into Managers, Managers into VP’s and VP’s into Presidents. Now I want to coach Stewards, Union Reps, Business Agents, Local VP’s and Presidents to become better leaders.

The long and the short of it is that Unions need to get better at what they do.

I have worked with organizations in Canada, the USA and Europe. Some of my clients include Roadbuilders, Mining Companies, Manufacturers, Retail Stores, and Electric and Gas Utilities. I consulted with Panasonic in New Jersey, British Electricity International in London, and a Swiss Bank in Geneva. I have a lot to say.

Next month, I want to talk about “Giving Good Phone”.

Let Pete know if you are interested in reading my stuff by leaving a Comment, or sounding off on the Union Built PC Facebook Page, or on their Twitter or LinkedIn feeds.

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