ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationships within the operating team. Leadership is about creating an effective environment for decision-making. Operational managers tell stories of their role in relation to their subordinates that focus on using their experience and judgement to help team members see what is important in a given situation. The operational managers have a high degree of confidence in their operating crew to manage the details of abnormal situations when they occur. The behaviour of the operational managers also shows that they value the input and opinions of their peers. The general attitude of the operational managers to their subordinates seemed to be one of significant respect. Operational managers exercise their professional judgement in acting in any given case and they rely on their organizational superiors to reassure them that the choices made do not conflict with what is required of them as employees.
