Workplace Substance Abuse with Ivan Lasater

Substance abuse can have a dramatic effect on workplace productivity. Ivan Lasater discusses ways to address this issue and find solutions. 

Ivan is a Grand County Native and Moab, Utah local, who has managed projects and people in the Oil and Gas Industry since 2004.

The Challenge of Management

Ivan is revered for his management style, and every business he’s had a hand in has seen production increases as well as increases in employee morale. But Ivan Lasater’s job presents a set of challenges that a lot of people just aren’t cut out for. The most challenging aspect of Ivan's job is building people.

“The challenges I face as a manager of people are many. People are people. They are not always going to meet the expectations I have laid out for them. I have to take into consideration what it is I can do to help them meet those expectations. I have to be perceptive, intuitive, empathetic, patient and thorough when dealing with a member of my team that’s struggling. The most difficult of problems to address with employees is always drug and alcohol abuse and how it affects the workplace.”

A Policy for Productivity

According to the Whitehouse Office of National Drug controlPolicy, a survey was conducted in 2001 that reflected a $121 billion dollar loss in the year 2000 due to drug use in this country, with a whopping 60% of that loss attributed to loss of workplace productivity. Ivan believes this is clearly a problem.

To address this problem, programs have been implemented to combat workplace substance abuse and policies have been developed to address the issue. Ivan believes that policies and programs are certainly necessary, but how affective they will be remains in the hands of the employees and their management. Management could stand to benefit substantially from theproper training and the support of policies to help recognize and address substance abuse in the workplace. Policies that require regular drug testing and help to identify issues with employees, hopefully before they spiral out of control. But what does Ivan Lasater believe is the most effective approach to this problem?

“I believe the most effective tool I have against substance abuse in the workplace are EAP’s.”

Employee Assistance Programs

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP’s) are a way of identifying the underlying issues our employees are dealing with and designing a specific set of options for that employee to improve not only the quality of their life, but as a result, improve their productivity. Most EAP’s are offered up to employees on a voluntary basis and are not required for an employee to keep their job or position within the company. However, an employee who is offered an EAP may be warned that unless their condition and productivity improve, termination or demotion may result. EAP’s can address a number of issues which include substance abuse, alcohol abuse, depression, problems at home, financial and legal problems, health concerns, or any number of personal problems an employee may be experiencing. To learn more about EAP’s, click on this link.(EAP’s)

So how do we identify when an employee is having an ongoing issue or if an employee is just having a bad day or three? The preferred method for Ivan Lasater is to develop a keen sense of who his employees are as people.

“The workplace is a place for professionalism. But within that parameter is always an element of interpersonal relationships. If I pay attention to my employee’s behaviors, their demeanors, their health, and the things they like to talk about on a personal level, it gives me the opportunity to get to know them in a way that goes beyond professionalism. That makes it easier to identify when a problem is occurring that might have lasting effects on their productivity.”

An Approach to People

It’s fairly obvious that Ivan Lasater cares about the productivity of his team. But he also cares about the wellbeing of his team. It takes a manager with a sense of compassion to address an issue like substance abuse in the workplace. Many employees struggling with drug and alcohol abuse are still stuck in a stage of denial and won’t admit to having a problem in the first place. Trust needs to be built and employees need to feel like addressing the issue of their substance abuse is safe. They need to feel that their jobs won’t be at stake by simply admitting they might have a problem. The approach that Ivan takes is to empathize with an employee and offer up solutions for the employee to consider. Of course there comes a point where an employee may need to be terminated or demoted for lack of being effective at their job should they not opt for help.

To sum this up, we’ll take some guidance from Ivan. His approach to substance abuse in the workplace seems not only reasonable but compassionate and productive as well.

• Protect productivity
• Implement policies for identifying and addressing the personal issues employees face on and off the job.
• Get to know your employees interests, habits, routines, and other behavior.
• Build trust
• If a problem is identified, offer up options without reinforcing the element of fear.
• Protect productivity

Ivan Lasater lives in Moab, Utah. He is Owner/CEO/Founder of ICL Enterprises.

    

Ethics, with Ivan Lasater

Our Grand County native and Moab, Utah local Ivan Lasater, discusses ethics in business.

What are Ethics in Business

The code of conduct within an industry or culture, or the standards by which they run are referred to as ethics. What is Ivan's view on ethics? Let’s examine that.

Ivan lasater is a professional in the Oil and Gas Industry. He is also an emerging executive, an entrepreneur, and a specialist in his field. Ivan places a great deal of emphasis on forming relationships inside the Oil and Gas Industry. His upward mobility depends on it. Ivan knows that in order to get ahead in that industry, it helps to know who you’re dealing with, and forming a network of reliable relationships within the industry gives him a greater understanding of that.

This is where ethics comes in. Since ethics differ from morals in a sense that ethics cover a particular set of agreed upon standards within a culture or industry, instead of a broadly agreed upon, generally conformed to paradigm of what is right and wrong, we won’t discuss morality.

Why are Ethics Important in Business

Ivan believes ethics are an important part of business. For the people who practice good business ethics, reputation and credibility within the industry are sure to materialize. There is no doubt that this country was founded on industry and the development of business ideas unique to our resources. As business became more and more a valuable part of our growing society, standards had to be implemented to help protect the good business from the bad. These standards supply the most valuable resource business has, a confident consumer. Ivan explained that consumer confidence in any product or service is what drives sales.

Left to Interpretation

Because ethics doesn't often coincide with legality or even morality at times, it can be hard to determine the right and wrong ethical decision to make at times. Consequences for bad ethical decisions are rarely punishable by law and don’t necessarily qualify as a moral breach of etiquette. They are more a breach of the agreed upon standards.  Often times, a breach of ethical standards can be avoided by simply compromising and communicating a clearer set of standards that might include gray areas. Flexibility is important when faced with something like a moral or ethical dilemma, but law differs in a sense that law is discussed, written, and those who breach it are held accountable within specific parameters.

The Role of Integrity

There are a number of examples Ivan can give when asked about unethical business practice in any industry. That is why so many businesses are beginning to adopt strict codes of ethics that they impart to their employees during the first stages of their training. Having a clear set of ethical guidelines sets the tone for a successful and credible business. Ivan trains his team to respect good business and avoid shady business at all costs. He implements a code of ethics that is meant to protect his consumers, his clientele, the current laws and regulations, and ultimately his business.

Here’s are some of Ivan's ethical requirements:

·         Be consistent.

·         Make fact based decisions

·         Support decisions that help the most amount of people

·         Respect the individual rights and beliefs of others

·         Think long term

·         Tell the truth and uphold a standard of integrity. (do the right thing even when nobody’s looking)

·         Create the atmosphere you wish you worked in.

·         Avoid double standards

Summary

These are good corner stones of a strong foundation. Developing relationships in business is the single most important aspect of growth. Ivan relies heavily on his reputation in the field to build credibility among his peers. The best way to protect your reputation would be to observe the ethical manifestations of your industry, whilst observing the moral and legal aspects on which they may be based.

Ivan Lasater lives in Moab, Utah. He is the Owner/CEO/Founder of ICL Enterprises.

Ivan Lasater Finds a Healthy Balance

 A Grand county native, and current Moab, Utah local Ivan Lasater, finds a healthy balance when it comes to his lifestyle choices.

Get the Advantage

Ivan knows in these modern times, lifestyle choices seem to be more critical than ever. He knows there are advantages to finding a healthy balance if he wants to continue with the momentum he's worked so hard for over the past two decades.

Breakfast

Knowing what to eat and what not to eat is an important step in finding that healthy balance. Ivan always begins his day with a healthy breakfast.

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I plan my breakfast meals on a week by week basis because often times, in the morning, I have so much to do before work that planning a meal can take too much time. This can lead to hastily finding something at the last moment before I head out the door and those choices can compromise my ability to eat a healthy meal."

Don't Settle

How many times have we settled for a doughnut or a muffin in the morning on the way to work because we didn't have a plan in place for breakfast? Ivan develops a breakfast plan because he knows finding a healthy balance requires planning. He plans time in the mornings for a work out, shower, breakfast,and meditation because he knows that the tone for a day is usually set within moments of waking. He avoids watching the news in the morning because he knows that the mind can receive negative messages and the attitude could suffer as a result.

"I'm a leader in my industry and I have a responsibility to my clientele and to the people that I work with to optimize my mind frame."

The Big Three

Ivan also avoids engaging in what he refers to as the "big three". That would be excessive drinking of alcohol, narcotics of any kind, and tobacco products. Knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to engage in.

"Too much of anything could be harmful in one way or another so I try to moderate my behavior. Being vigilant helps to develop will power and character. But there are things out there that really shouldn't even be engaged in if you want balance in your life. Smoking, chewing, using drugs....all of these can disrupt a healthy lifestyle."

Meditation

Its pretty obvious when you see Ivan, that he cares about his physicality. It's also obvious upon meeting him that he keeps his mind as clean and strong as his body. How many times throughout the day do we feel pretty optimal, physically, yet we're suffering on an emotional level? Ivan can feel when his mind and body aren't in harmony. That is why an important part of his healthy balance is the 45 minutes he sets aside each day for meditation.

"I like to meditate in the mornings before I exercise. If I wake up early, my mind is at its most vulnerable, so I choose to focus on positive and constructive goals. Generating a attitude of gratitude helps me to put things into perspective. It filters out all the distractions."

Exercise

Exercise is a substantial part of Ivan's life. Ivan lives in Moab, UT. Moab is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and four wheel - off road enthusiasts. Moab and its surrounding areas boast a plethora of National and State Parks as well. He takes full advantage of the geography in the area by implementing his workout routine and leisure time into a positive and beautiful environment.

"I found that an exercise routine and leisure activities are much more enjoyable in a beautiful environment. If I'm away from home and I need a run, I go to a park instead of running around the block. If I go on vacation or just want to spend some time doing something on the weekend, I'll most likely be climbing a mountain or running a river. Beauty inspires".

Summary

Balance can be difficult for some people to find in our busy and distracted lifestyles. People like Ivan can offer us all some insight into how we can do it with just a little planning and a desire to feel good. Sure, there's some sacrifice and discipline involved but what healthy aspect of our lives doesn't involve some of that?


Ivan Lasater lives on Huntridge Dr. in the beautiful city of Moab, UT. He is Owner/Founder/CEO of ICL Enterprises.
 

Ivan Lasater is Building People

The extensive research that Ivan Lasater has implemented into his Direct Tank-Vapor Recovery project has paid off big for our Moab local.

Ivan's resume now boasts a network of executive contacts and experience in the research, management, and marketing of his profitable enterprise. Ivan puts an emphasis on team building. He values honest and fair business practice. He expects integrity out of the business he represents and loves, and he isn't willing to compromise his values. Ivan doesn't approach business with an unsustainable and hasty nearsightedness. He looks to the future and builds accordingly.

When building anything, we must start with a foundation, a solid base of fundamentals on which an idea can become a reality. This idea applies not only to physical structures, but relationships as well. That is why Ivan realizes that Empires are built on people. People in general need to trust in the validity of what they do. A good team has a clear set of goals and objectives. They have a shared interest and homogeneous motivation. 

The team leader should be the example and not just delegate. Leadership isn't just about building a project, it’s also about building people. A clear vision is needed for this, most would agree. Taking into consideration the “big picture” is probably the greatest challenge bestowed upon a team leader. I say bestowed, because a challenge is a privilege that comes with great responsibility. Ivan views his adversity and challenges as the greatest opportunity he has for growth and success. 

Ivan Lasater lives on Huntridge Dr. in Moab, Utah. He is currently the Founder/Owner/CEO of ICL Enterprises