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Secret Weapon: Ask the night crew

When you really want a different perspective on context, content, strategy and purpose, spend time with your night crew. You will be surprised at their ability to think and engage imaginatively and freely. In this article, we talk about this "secret ideation machine".

The night crew is awake while the world sleeps
The night crew is buzzing away while the rest of us sleep.

Many times, in my leadership experience, I spent time with the night crew. The first few times I interacted with them, I was surprised at their creativity and amusing ways of looking at situations or problems. As time went by, and I interacted with different night crews, I realized they are a "secret weapon" for a rich alternate perspective. I was never disappointed when I took the time to get their input. The night crew works while the rest of us are asleep. Their reasons for working this shift can be varied and their personality traits varied as well; but there is no denying the night crew is a different cross-section of the employee population.

If you interact with them, this is what you will often find:

  • Good planners, problem-solvers, resourceful. They are accustomed to getting through a shift and keeping lines running without the support staff present during the day (e.g., quality, engineering, maintenance, human resources, purchasing, etc.). This gives them a planning and problem-solving mindset, as they work through machine, material, or quality issues on their own.

  • Mindful of others, team player, and willing to self-sacrifice. They are often working night shift to accommodate a family situation (e.g., kids at home during the day, taking care of a parent, etc.). The key here is that if they care, they will do anything to support a cause, even if it means sacrifice. The night crew tends to be socially "tight" and "have each other's back".

  • Can be goal oriented and exceptionally hard working. They are often going to school during the day, as they work the night shift to pay bills as they complete academic work.

  • Monetarily motivated. Often, they are working nights for a shift premium, so they value a dollar more than the next guy.

  • More mature and less social. Many times, they are loners and like the quiet time on third shift. They like to "just work". They like a quiet lunch and break where they want to spend time alone. You don't usually have a lot of "busy bees" on third shift. They also aren't confined by social norms as much as day shift personnel.

  • Thinkers outside the box. More of them tend to be unique, with a different perspective on the world. Because their life decision is financially or family motivated, they aren't usually dreamers, but have a very practical approach.

  • More women and underrepresented populations. This is because the longer tenured employees tend to be on first shift, and the "the new guy" must start on an off shift, until a first shift opening comes available.

Who is on your night shift, will depend on your location, the workforce, and the nature of the work. But the factors that bring them to the shift means they possess a unique perspective. They also represent the limits of your internal communication plans. Therefore, they are a great resource to you.

If you decide to have a discovery or problem-solving session with the night crew, here are some tips to guide the interaction:

  • Don't make them stay late or come in early to be with you. This might seem obvious, but I know leaders who would do this! Change your schedule to accommodate theirs.

  • Don't keep it a secret. Let them know you are coming to get their perspective. Let other shifts know as well. This will keep the "rumor mill" shut down and set expectation for production output impact, if any. Be sensitive to business demands and deadlines.

  • Dress casually and in compliance with dress codes.

  • Spend time just conversing-bring some pizza. Their night is day to them. They might want breakfast, or they might not. It never hurts to ask.

  • If you aren't that warm a personality (you know who you are) take a lively sidekick. It can take a bit to get the group juices flowing, so you will need an engager, especially at 2:00 am in the morning! Humor goes a long way on the night shift.

  • Spend time explaining intent and how their perspective is important to you. Remember their attendance to structured collaboration meetings is limited-maybe even non-existent. Come prepared with different topics and ways to get the group talking.

  • Get them out of their seat and at a whiteboard with sticky notes and markers, but don't force anything. Go with the flow of their comfort zone, at least for the first meeting or two.

  • Talk about topics that impact them (like how to communicate more effectively in the plant), but don't be afraid to get the discussion around something outside of the norm, (like how we reinvent ourselves, etc.).

  • There are times when "What happens on the night shift, stays on the night shift". If you start hearing about other concerns, find ways to verify it through another source. You don't want to damage trust between the shifts, by referring to them as a source.

If you can hit the right tone, the night crew is free with information and you can learn a lot from them, since they aren't bound by the politics of the day. They rarely get asked their perspective, and as a result, they will appreciate your efforts, and your value of their input. Additionally, you will build deeper connection with the team overall, as you put effort into the night shift. This is because people will see you are committed to communication and employee engagement. Good luck!


For more ways to engage employees, check out our other blogs, training, and service offerings.


Lori G. Fisher, PMP

PLS Management Consulting

Purpose | Leap | Surge


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