“Curtis just threw me under the bus, when he is the one responsible for the decision,” Glenn explained. “During the day, we give our technicians full access to an inventory of specialty tools, but at the end of the shift, all specialty tools have to be returned. It looks like we are mother hen, but the supervisor, Curtis, checks to make sure all the tools are returned and in working order. If we need one and it’s missing or broken, the down-time costs us.”

“What’s the problem?” I asked.

“Curtis had to explain the rule, again, to some of the crew, and he was getting pushback. Rather than explain it, he just said it was my rule and that if anyone had a problem with it, they could see me.”

“Is it your rule?”

“It’s part of the system I designed. A daily tool check keeps our specialty tools close enough to prevent down-time from a missing or broken tool. An hourly check is too often, but if we don’t do it once a day, the tools get legs and walk off.”

“So, it’s your system?”

“It is my system, but it is Curtis’ role to explain the system and enforce the system. He doesn’t have to design the system, just drive it.”

“So, how do you explain it to Curtis, so he doesn’t throw you under the bus?”