When you encounter a problem around your house, you can’t always reach for the same tools. This also applies to manufacturing leadership. All your team members are unique individuals with different perspectives and goals, which means you can’t always rely on your go-to solutions. To be an effective leader, you need to shift your approach … Read More
A leadership change at a manufacturing plant can bring a host of unique challenges, from changed team dynamics to cultural shifts. At the same time, it’s also an opportunity for growth and improved greatness. It’s all about taking the right approach! Just ask Joe Carrothers and Kristin Rivait from SWT Group, a manufacturing organization in … Read More
On the manufacturing floor, you have dozens of everyday opportunities for negotiation, from talking with a team member about an upcoming pay raise to trying to get a better deal from a supplier. In your everyday negotiations, what can you do to say less, get more, and make effective changes? You need to master the … Read More
When a crisis occurs on the manufacturing floor, you want to add water to the fire, not oil! But in the bustling and technical manufacturing industry, many people overlook the importance of critical thinking and emotional intelligence, which means they might not have the tools and mindset they need to safely and effectively navigate threats, … Read More
Are you too comfortable in your manufacturing role? While stress sounds like something you want to avoid on the manufacturing floor, facing stressful and challenging situations can actually help you grow your mindset, improve your resilience, and change the way you engage with your team. We recently took a deep dive into stress and resilience … Read More
Recently, I heard the story of a GM plant in New York who were struggling to fix a machinery issue that was slowing down production and losing their plant almost $40,000 per week—that’s nearly $1.5 million dollars a year! But then, during a single short meeting, they found a simple and affordable solution. How? They … Read More
In manufacturing, we have a tendency to focus on the technical, like broken parts, mechanical failures, and physical problems. Manufacturing is a fast-paced industry, after all, and when there’s a problem, we want to find the root cause and a solution—and we want to do it as quickly as possible. But if you’re not taking … Read More
In manufacturing, mental health is not always at the forefront. As a leader, you might think your only focus should be productivity, results, and getting work done on the factory floor. But when you overlook your team’s mental wellbeing, it can actually lead to more issues, like decreased productivity, more disconnected, and high employee turnover. … Read More
In manufacturing, everything is connected—and what happens at the top impacts everything else, including productivity and morale on the floor. This is especially true when it comes to culture. If leaders at the top aren’t practicing intentionality or accountability, it can trickle down and have a negative impact on the entire organization. To better understand … Read More
The manufacturing industry is full of complex processes and an emphasis on using AI and other emerging technologies to speed up productivity and improve results. But even though we live in an increasingly technical world, we still need human skills—and improving your human skills can be the key to unlocking true transformation in your manufacturing … Read More