What leadership skills do manufacturing supervisors need?
Written by Nic Dampier – Creative Director
Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century, the manufacturing industry has undergone profound technological advancements. From labor-intensive methods, harsh working conditions, and rudimentary machinery to modern cutting-edge robotics and AI technology, the manufacturing world has continually evolved to embrace sophisticated changes.
However, throughout all these changes, one thing remains constant: the need for effective leadership. Amidst the clang of machinery and the buzz of activity, manufacturing supervisors stand as the drivers of progress, identifying areas for improvement and optimizing productivity to achieve organizational growth. In a way, they can almost be likened to the power source of a manufacturing facility. Just as the power source keeps machinery humming, manufacturing supervisors breathe life into their employees, igniting enthusiasm and powering teams towards shared objectives in order to sustain the facility’s operations.
For these leaders, every step on the work floor is purposeful, and every decision carries weight. Making a wrong move, especially when it comes to their employees, can result in substantial losses including financial setbacks or talent shortages. Indeed, the numbers are worrying; studies have shown that while 78% of leaders report actively engaging with their employees, less than half of those employees believe their organization’s leadership is of actual ‘high quality’. Furthermore, 47% of companies anticipate a shortage of leadership or executive-level skills in the future.
Even more concerning is the tendency of many organizations to promote employees into leadership roles based solely on their performance as individual contributors. While they may have excelled in their previous positions, this promotion often sets them up for failure as the skills that made them stand out in their individual roles do not always translate into powerful leadership.
Putting it simply – while technical expertise is undeniably important for manufacturing leaders, they must also possess a diverse set of soft skills to proficiently guide their teams and navigate challenges. These skills include specific leadership qualities that are indispensable for success, empowering these leaders to sustain maximum production and foster a cohesive work environment that meets the demands of today’s fast-paced manufacturing industry.
Essential Leadership Skills for Every Manufacturing Leader
While sophisticated machinery and systems may streamline processes, the success of these tasks still relies on human management, and on the abilities of leaders to guide their teams. Efficient management of employees requires the development of soft skills that facilitate meaningful connections and mutual understanding among team members. With these instrumental skills, leaders can create a productive work environment where employees feel valued and supported in their roles and are able to bring their best selves.
These skills include:
- Empathy and Trust Building
Admit it – people aren’t robots. Building genuine connections and understanding others’ emotions can be one of the most difficult tasks we all have to go through, leading to conflicts in both our personal and professional lives. Accomplished leaders understand this and prioritize cultivating empathy and trust among their team members.
Empathy enables leaders to relate to their employees’ experiences and emotions, allowing them to address underlying issues that may affect performance. For instance, if one of your employees is facing challenges at home, they may not be so focused at work and that could prove hazardous on the work floor. What’s your initial response to this? Do you tell the employee off for losing focus, or do you try to get to the root of the matter by understanding where they’re coming from, and by working together to find a solution that works for both parties?
Practicing empathy in the latter scenario makes the employee feel supported and demonstrates that you care. As a result, the employee is more likely to feel motivated, encouraged, and willing to collaborate with you to achieve shared goals.
Moreover, empathy leads to the strengthening of trust in teams, encouraging open communication, transparency, and accountability. When employees feel supported rather than judged for mistakes, they embrace a growth mindset, leading to increased creativity and innovation. Leaders should thus prioritize trust-building initiatives and lead by example to instill confidence and loyalty among their team members.
- Communication Skills
Communication, or rather, effective communication, is more than just speaking and listening to what others have to say. It can often be extremely challenging, especially in diverse environments where factors like backgrounds, cultures, and communication styles vary. In manufacturing, clear and concise communication holds even more importance as there is no room for misinterpretation when it comes to the precise execution of tasks and processes.
Whether it’s crafting detailed proposals for customers, delivering clear feedback to employees, navigating difficult conversations, or simply sending routine emails, effective communication is crucial. By using specific, measurable, and actionable language, leaders can provide clear directions and reduce the risk of assumptions or miscommunication.
Furthermore, remember that communication is not a one-way street – it also involves you actively listening and seeking feedback from your team members. Learn to prioritize regular communication channels, such as team meetings and one-on-one discussions, to help you regularly receive feedback, address concerns, celebrate achievements, and keep employees informed and engaged.
When you value the input of your employees, you not only enhance your own ability to empathize but also strengthen the trust between you and your team. This leads to a culture of continuous collaboration and improvement, where everyone feels heard, appreciated, and invested in the collective growth of the organization.
- Strategic Thinking and Problem Solving
Even with top-of-the-line equipment, manufacturing leaders will still face complex challenges that involve strategic thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Whether it’s unforeseen supply chain disruptions, regulatory compliance, or economic uncertainty, leaders should be able to analyze data, identify root causes, and implement solutions that bring about positive results.
Strategic thinking involves setting well-defined objectives, prioritizing tasks, and aligning actions with organizational goals. It involves long-term planning and the ability to anticipate and address potential obstacles along the way.
When leaders excel in strategic thinking and problem-solving, they also indirectly encourage their employees to follow by example and to develop resilience and adaptability. This enables employees to skillfully manage challenges and promote sustainable progress, even in the face of unpredicted changes.
Investing in Training and Development
Whether your leaders are new to their roles or have years of experience, they still require ongoing training and development opportunities to unlock their full potential. Organizations must invest in initiatives such as leadership development programs, workshops, and mentorships. These resources provide leaders with the proper tools and knowledge to excel and remain competitive. Additionally, organizations should facilitate access to resources and support networks that enable their leaders to continue enhancing their skills and capabilities.
While it’s understandable that many businesses may hesitate to allocate so much time and effort to nurture their leaders, there has to be a fundamental shift in mindset. Despite the challenges of balancing leadership development with daily production demands, organizations must recognize that the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. By arming leaders with practical tools and training, they become more efficient, adept at strategic planning, and better equipped to manage industry shifts, thus ensuring sustained competitiveness.
Think of it this way: your manufacturing leaders serve as the backbone of the business. When you invest significant time and resources in their development, you’re ensuring greater engagement, retention, and overall success.
Frontline’s Supervisor Boot Camp
At Frontline Training Solutions, our Supervisor Boot Camp offers a comprehensive training experience tailored to provide participants with the necessary tools, tips, and techniques to survive and thrive in the demanding manufacturing environment. Designed by experts with over 30+ years of manufacturing experience, this training caters to frontline supervisors, new leaders, and high-potential employees preparing for management roles.
Unlike traditional textbook approaches, the curriculum is grounded in real-world experience, providing frontline leaders with actionable strategies to tackle the challenges of their roles. From topics such as emotional intelligence, onboarding techniques, closing generational gaps to communication skills and more, the boot camp ensures participants acquire the key skills they need.
In particular, one unique aspect of the boot camp is its focus on financial literacy for frontline management. While they’re not expected to be financial experts, understanding the impact of their decisions on the organization’s bottom line is key. By incorporating financial considerations into leadership training, participants improve their ability to make informed choices that boost organizational performance.
Throughout the program, participants engage in interactive exercises and discussions aimed at challenging assumptions and encouraging self-reflection. They will acquire valuable techniques for improving team performance, enhancing communication, and achieving operational excellence. By the end of the program, participants are prepared with a practical toolkit for strategies to use on a daily basis.
The impact of this training extends beyond the individual participants to the organizations they serve. Companies have reported lower turnover rates, increased employee retention, and improved morale among frontline staff as a result of this program’s implementation.
Discover More at Frontline
At Frontline, our commitment is to the improvement of our clients’ performance, offering training, consulting, coaching, and practical solutions to address everyday workplace challenges. Through initiatives such as the Supervisor Boot Camp, we shape the future of leadership to make a meaningful difference in the lives of employees and the organizations they support.
To learn more about the core leadership skills required for manufacturing supervisors, we invite you to listen to our free podcast. Join Nic Dampier, Creative Director at Frontline Training Solutions as he has a discussion with Frontline president, Nathan Leaman, and John Keuning, Director of Manufacturing Training at Frontline and creator of Supervisor Boot Camp. In this episode they discuss the vital skills for supervisor success and more.
Alternatively, click here to discover more about our Supervisor Boot Camp, or here to learn more about our other tailored solutions for manufacturing leaders and operations.
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About the Author
Nic Dampier – Creative Director
Nic Dampier is the Creative Director at Frontline Training Solutions as well as the Grand Rapids, Michigan locations of Express Employment Professionals and Specialized Recruiting Group. With his degree in Strategic Communication Management, and over a decade in creative leadership, Nic developed the C.R.I.C.K.E.T. framework for effective brand messaging and excels in storytelling and brand identity. A U.S. Navy veteran and former Creative Arts Pastor, he has a rich background in cross-cultural communication and large-scale production. Nic is also an accomplished filmmaker, recognized at the 2021 ArtPrize International Art Competition for his impactful storytelling.