Daily Discipline for Production Leaders

 

Leadership on the shop floor isn’t about firefighting—it’s about building habits that drive consistency and results.

Leader Standard Work (LSW) is your structured path to operational excellence. Why? Because what gets standardized gets done!

Here’s how top-performing production leaders stay ahead:

📌 Start the day with clarity: Shift briefings and production board reviews keep the team aligned.
📌 Drive accountability: Daily checks on safety, quality, and PPE compliance reduce risks.
📌 Think beyond today: Weekly KPI trend reviews (OEE, FPY, downtime) and root cause analysis prevent recurring issues.
📌 Build capability: Scheduling operator training and leading kaizen initiatives turn problems into opportunities.
📌 Celebrate progress: Recognize team efforts—it fuels engagement and continuous improvement.

LSW isn’t just a checklist; it’s the rhythm that transforms leadership from reactive to proactive.

Lean Leadership: The Importance of Standard Work

In any organization, leadership plays a critical role in driving success. In the lean world, leadership is particularly important as it sets the tone for the organization’s culture and approach to continuous improvement. One critical tool in the lean leader’s arsenal is standard work, which helps to ensure that processes are consistent, repeatable, and efficient.

Standard work is a set of instructions that outline the best way to perform a particular task. These instructions include the sequence of steps, the required tools and equipment, and the expected outcomes. By creating standard work, organizations can ensure that processes are performed consistently, reducing variability and waste.

But standard work is not just about creating instructions. It’s also about ensuring that these instructions are followed consistently. This is where lean leadership comes in. Leaders must commit to standard work and set an example for others. They must also ensure that standard work is communicated clearly and employees are trained to follow it. By doing so, they can help to establish a culture of continuous improvement and drive success.

So, how can lean leaders create and maintain effective standard work? Here are some key steps:

1. Identify the processes that require standard work: Start by identifying the key processes in your organization that require standard work. These may include production processes, administrative processes, or other key activities.
2. Create clear and concise instructions: Once you have identified the processes that require standard work, create clear and concise instructions that outline the best way to perform each task. These instructions should be easy to understand and follow.
3. Train employees on standard work: Once you have created standard work instructions, ensure they are trained to follow them. This may involve classroom training, on-the-job training, or a combination of both.
4. Monitor adherence to standard work: Once standard work is in place, it’s important to monitor adherence to ensure that processes are being followed consistently. This may involve regular audits or other monitoring activities.
5. Continuously improve standard work: Finally, it’s important to improve it. As processes change or new opportunities for improvement arise, standard work instructions may need to be updated to reflect these changes.

In conclusion, standard work is critical for any organization looking to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and drive success. By creating and maintaining effective standard work, lean leaders can help establish a continuous improvement culture and set their organization on a path to long-term success.

https://tinyurl.com/57ryx7ak

Your title doesn't make you a leader. How you treat people does.

 

Your title doesn't make you a leader.

How you treat people does.

What matters most is your impact and how you show up for others.

Leadership isn't rocket science - it's heart work.

The best leaders leave a lasting impact because they genuinely care:

1. Listen
✅ Listen to understand, trust starts when people feel heard
❌ Jump to conclusions before hearing the whole story

2. Empower
✅ Give others real ownership and decision-making authority
❌ Undermine confidence by second-guessing or taking over their work

3. Align
✅ Make sure every person feels seen and valued in the team's vision
❌ Let people feel left out or unsure of where they fit

4. Develop
✅ Prioritize team learning, mentoring, and growth opportunities
❌ Expect people to "just figure it out" on their own without support

5. Engage
✅ Invite every voice, people open up when they know they matter
❌ Make decisions alone or let anyone feel invisible

6. Recognize
✅ Appreciate the effort, people deserve to be seen and valued
❌ Take anyone's hard work for granted

Lead with heart, your impact goes further than any metric.

Be the leader you always needed.

Credits to Dora Vanourek. Follow them for valuable insights.

How to Identify a Great Leader – The Ultimate Cheat Sheet

 

Being able to identify a great leader in your workplace can significantly impact your job satisfaction and career growth. After all, great leaders inspire, motivate, and support their team members, fostering a positive and productive work environment. Here are seven signs that you work with a great leader, or with someone who has the potential to become one.

A great leader...

Acknowledges Your Contribution

A great leader ensures that your efforts are appreciated and your achievements are recognized whenever possible. They celebrate your successes, both big and small, and acknowledge the hard work you put in. This recognition boosts your morale and motivation, creating a sense of belonging and value within the team. In the end, when leaders take the time to commend your efforts, it shows they are paying attention and value your contributions.

Welcomes Your Ideas

Great leaders are great at creating a safe space for you to express your thoughts and ideas. They value your input and encourage open communication, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration. By actively listening and considering your suggestions, they're able to make you feel both heard and respected. This openness not only promotes creativity but also helps in building a more inclusive and dynamic team culture.

Motivates You to Learn

A great leader provides opportunities for you to strive for excellence. After all, they want you to be better! These types of leaders love to encourage continuous learning and professional development, helping you to grow and advance in your career. By offering training, mentorship, and resources, they show that they're willing to invest in your personal and professional growth. This commitment to development ensures that you are always improving and staying competitive in your field.

Cares for Your Well-Being

A compassionate leader frequently checks on you to make sure you're not suffering from excessive stress or frustration. This is because they understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance, and are therefore happy to provide support to help you manage stress and maintain your physical and mental health. By showing genuine concern for you, they help to create a supportive and nurturing work environment, which leads to increased job satisfaction and loyalty.

Values Your Personal Time

Respecting boundaries is a hallmark of a truly great leader. These types of leaders promote the idea of taking breaks and unplugging from work, ensuring that you have time to recharge and maintain a balanced life. By showing that they value your personal time, they demonstrate that they posses a true understanding of the need for rest and recovery. This show of respect not only helps to prevent burnout, but also ensures that you return to work refreshed and ready to contribute.

Leads by Example

A great leader demonstrates the behavior and work ethic they expect from their team. More importantly, they inspire you to uphold the same high standards (without micromanaging). In short: they lead by example, setting a strong precedent for others to follow. By embodying the principles they advocate, they can generate both respect and credibility.

Shows Compassion in Decision Making

A great leader takes time to consider how their decisions affect you and your team. They demonstrate empathy and compassion, ensuring that their choices benefit the well-being of every single person involved. By weighing the impact of their decisions on team morale and individual circumstances, they're able to create a more humane and considerate work environment. This approach not only builds trust, but also fosters a collaborative team spirit.

https://tinyurl.com/8x9cva7j

8 ways to know you work for a great leader

 

Do you know what makes a great leader?

There's not a single answer:

Every great leader has their own style.

Still, you can find some common traits.

Here are 8 ways to know you have a great leader:

▸ They listen (really listen).
▸ They build a positive culture.
▸ They encourage collaboration.
▸ They invest in the team's development.
▸ They challenge the team to be their best.
▸ They don't tolerate toxic behavior.
▸ They give the team flexibility.
▸ They show appreciation.

Great leaders transform their teams.

So don't hesitate:

Follow a great leader.
Empower a great leader.
Or even be that great leader.

Dr. Christian Poensgen