When your manufacturing team pushes back on innovative designs, turn resistance into collaboration: Listen first: Understand their practical concerns before defending your ideas Share the vision: Explain how the innovation solves real problems Prototype early: Let them interact with physical models to build confidence Involve manufacturing in design: Their expertise prevents costly redesigns Implement gradually: Start with manageable changes that demonstrate value Success comes not from overruling resistance, but from transforming it into valuable feedback that strengthens both design and implementation. #AerospaceInnovation #EngineeringLeadership

The first thing I do is shut up and listen until I'm certain I understand all their concerns and can repeat those concerns back to them. In my experience, manufacturing technicians --and people in general--, don't want to call themselves out by saying that they aren't capable of meeting a reasonable expectation. When people push back, it almost always means that the expectation was less reasonable than it seemed, or was communicated in a way that made it seem unreasonable. In the exceedingly rare cases that we can't reach an understanding about the design, I get a second opinion, and if they agree with me, I try to arrange a meeting with all three parties and let the experts discuss until they agree, and I treat that decision as final.

As a Mechanic previously working in salary as well as different leadership rolls,and having owned my own business,this has provided me a diverse view of issues within the company.I am able to present the pros and cons from a Mechanics position as well as the positive/negative financial impacts to the company.

I handle pushback by fostering open communication, actively listening to concerns, and demonstrating the value of new ideas through practical examples or trials. Engaging the team early in the process and addressing their feedback helps build trust and acceptance.