What do you do if your Manufacturing Operations team lacks strong leadership skills?

1 Assess your team's strengths and weaknesses

The first step is to evaluate your team's current leadership skills and identify the gaps and opportunities for improvement. You can use various tools and methods, such as self-assessments, feedback surveys, performance reviews, or 360-degree feedback, to gather data and insights on your team's leadership competencies and behaviors. You should also consider the specific leadership challenges and requirements of your manufacturing operations, such as safety, quality, productivity, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

2 Provide training and coaching

The next step is to design and implement a training and coaching program that addresses the needs and goals of your team. You can use a variety of formats and resources, such as online courses, workshops, webinars, books, podcasts, or mentors, to deliver relevant and engaging content and guidance on leadership skills. You should also customize the program to suit the different levels and roles of your team members, such as supervisors, managers, or operators. The program should cover both hard and soft skills, such as technical knowledge, problem-solving, decision-making, communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and emotional intelligence.

3 Encourage feedback and collaboration

The third step is to foster a culture of feedback and collaboration among your team members, as these are key elements of effective leadership. You should encourage your team to give and receive constructive feedback regularly, both formally and informally, and to use it to improve their performance and relationships. You should also promote collaboration and teamwork by setting clear and shared goals, defining roles and responsibilities, facilitating communication and coordination, and rewarding collective achievements.

4 Delegate and empower

The fourth step is to delegate and empower your team members to take on more leadership responsibilities and initiatives. You should assign tasks and projects that challenge and stretch your team's skills and potential, and that align with their interests and aspirations. You should also give them the autonomy and authority to make decisions and take actions, while providing support and guidance when needed. By delegating and empowering your team, you will not only enhance their leadership capabilities, but also increase their motivation, engagement, and loyalty.

5 Lead by example

The final step is to lead by example and demonstrate the leadership skills and behaviors that you expect from your team. You should model the values and principles of your manufacturing operations, such as quality, safety, customer focus, and continuous improvement. You should also show respect, trust, empathy, and appreciation to your team members, and acknowledge their contributions and achievements. By leading by example, you will inspire and influence your team to follow your lead and become better leaders themselves.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?