PA Hospital’s Supply Supervisor Leo Skebes is proof that a can-do mindset and a caring approach are key to building a successful team.
When he joined PAH just two years ago, Leo was met with a team in need of a reset.
“The PAH Supply team consisted of two teams within the Supply Dock. The Imprest team are responsible for all the stock ordering and delivering to the wards, and the Supply Dock staff are responsible for deliveries and receipting of clinical consumables that come in.
“There was a visible breakdown in communication and both teams weren’t actively talking to each other before I came along. This was causing a lot of issues and morale was certainly low,” he said.
“We’re essentially the supply chain gatekeepers of the hospital. Everything that comes into the hospital, from clinical consumables to medical equipment and ward supplies, comes through the Supply Dock, so it’s really important that we all work together.”
With 25 years’ management experience under his belt and a passion for people, Leo welcomed the opportunity to rebuild the team culture.
“I love a challenge. In my experience, it’s the staff that make the team, so we started running weekly meetings where everyone could talk about what was troubling them and share ideas about how we can make the business run better.”
Two years on, the unit has transformed into a well-oiled machine, a success Leo owes to the team members’ collective adaptability and supportive work ethos.
Having the right people with the right mentality who want to make a difference is what it’s all about,” he said.
“To me, it’s all about building a team culture and making it like a family. We still have our weekly meetings, we go out for dinner together once a month, we celebrate birthdays together, and most importantly, we all work together. Everyone is willing to help each other out and the morale has turned right around.”
The impact of Leo’s natural leadership skills and infectious positivity has been felt throughout the team and earned him a shortlisted nomination for the Excellence in Leadership Award at the Metro South Health Staff Awards.
Accustomed to working behind the scenes, Leo says being shortlisted for the award was an honour, but his greatest sense of fulfilment comes from leading a successful team each day.
“The way I look at it, if you spend a third of your life at work you might as well be happy. I always encourage my staff to know they’re doing an amazing job and their role is just as important as anyone else’s at the hospital. Every role has a purpose, we all have a spoke in the wheel. I want them to be proud of the work they do and enjoy it, because that’s what makes a difference,” he said.
“The most rewarding part about this job is knowing that the work we do is making a difference.”