From Quality Manager to Auditor: How Your Experience is Your Secret Weapon

When I made the jump from Quality Manager to auditor, I don't mind admitting - I was nervous. It’s easy to forget that it’s not just the auditee who feels the pressure. As a new auditor, you’re stepping into unfamiliar territory, and that can be nerve-wracking. But here’s something I wish someone had told me: the skills and experience you’ve gained as a Quality Manager are actually your biggest strengths as an auditor.

As Quality Managers, we’re always looking at the bigger picture. We’re not just ticking boxes; we’re connecting dots, making sure processes align and flow smoothly. That’s exactly the mindset you need as an auditor. You already know what to look for, where things might go wrong, and how to dig deeper when something feels off.

Let’s Talk About Communication

Communication is another critical skill you’ve already mastered. If you’ve managed quality, you’ve navigated your fair share of tricky conversations - whether it’s explaining issues to upper management or calming a stressed-out team. As an auditor, those communication skills become even more valuable. It’s not just about what you find; it’s about how you present it. Building rapport, being clear, and showing empathy - those things make the audit process smoother and more effective.

And by the way...it’s okay to be nervous when you’re new to auditing. I was! People think it’s just the auditees who feel the pressure, but as a new auditor, you feel it too. Remember, your job isn’t to catch people out - it’s to assess compliance and help identify areas where their systems can improve. Prepare thoroughly, rely on the standards, and keep that in mind to take the edge off. You don’t need to know everything about the auditee’s business; it’s about gathering evidence and ensuring adherence to the standard.

Dealing with Change as a Quality Manager

Let’s face it, change is tough for a lot of people. How many times, as a Quality Manager, have you faced resistance to new initiatives or even small tweaks in processes? Change management is a huge part of the role. You’ve likely had to guide teams through it, explaining the ‘why’ behind the changes and motivating them to adopt new practices, often in the face of reluctance. These change management skills are invaluable in auditing. When you’re assessing an organisation, understanding how they handle change can give you deeper insights into their systems and potential areas of risk.

Handling Defensiveness During Audits

Now, let’s talk about defensiveness - because it will come up, guaranteed! As an auditor, you might encounter people who feel under scrutiny, which can lead to a defensive response. This is something we’ve all seen before. Think about when, as a Quality Manager, you conducted internal audits and raised non-conformances. It’s not uncommon for colleagues to feel attacked or criticised, even though your goal was to help them improve. The same thing happens in external audits. People get defensive when they feel judged, and that’s where your experience comes in.

You already know how to handle those situations. As a Quality Manager, you probably had to approach these conversations with sensitivity, framing the non-conformances as opportunities for improvement rather than failures. In auditing, this approach is invaluable. Keeping the audit collaborative rather than confrontational makes all the difference. You’re there to assess and highlight opportunities for improvement, not to provide solutions directly. Your experience handling internal resistance will help you manage these tense moments in a way that keeps the audit productive.

The Continuous Improvement Mindset

And don’t forget your continuous improvement mindset. If you’ve been in quality management, it’s second nature. That’s exactly what makes you a great auditor. You’re not just identifying issues; you’re pointing out areas where your auditee can make improvements to enhance their systems. It's about ensuring they meet standards and understand how improvement strengthens the overall quality system.

So, if you’re transitioning from Quality Manager to auditor, remember—you’ve already got this. All the experience you've built up over the years will guide you. Your background in quality management is your biggest asset, and you’re stepping into this new role with a solid foundation.

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