In a recent episode of the Expert Insight Interview, host John Golden sat down with Kyle Erickson, the Director of Operations at Men Star Group, to discuss the evolving nature of leadership, particularly within the manufacturing sector. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Kyle shared his valuable insights on empathy, emotional intelligence, communication across generations, continuous improvement, and the importance of organizational culture. This blog post delves into the key themes and actionable advice from their conversation, providing a comprehensive guide for leaders looking to adapt and thrive in today’s dynamic work environment.
The Journey into Leadership
Early Experiences and Learning from Athletics
Kyle Erickson’s journey into leadership began with a common scenario: being promoted without extensive guidance or training. While his academic background in organizational leadership provided a foundational understanding, much of his leadership style was shaped by his experiences in athletics. Observing coaches and their methods helped him develop a responsive approach to leadership, which he continues to apply in his current role.
Key Takeaways:
- Learn from Diverse Experiences: Leadership skills can be honed through various experiences, not just formal training. Observing and learning from different fields, such as sports, can provide valuable insights.
- Responsive Leadership: Adapting your leadership style based on the situation and the needs of your team is crucial for effective management.
Coaching and Mentoring
Transferability of Coaching Skills
Kyle emphasizes the transferability of coaching skills across various fields, including athletics, manufacturing, and sales. Understanding the strengths of team members is crucial for driving productivity and cultural engagement. He advocates for a leadership style that is empathetic and allows for autonomy, encouraging team members to step outside their comfort zones and learn from failures.
Actionable Advice:
- Identify Strengths: Take the time to understand the unique strengths of each team member. This can help in assigning tasks that align with their capabilities and drive better results.
- Foster Autonomy: Encourage team members to take ownership of their work and make decisions. This not only builds confidence but also promotes a culture of innovation and growth.
- Embrace Failures: Create an environment where failures are seen as learning opportunities. This fosters resilience and continuous improvement.
The Shift in Employee Expectations
Importance of Emotional Intelligence
As the needs and expectations of employees evolve, emotional intelligence becomes increasingly important in leadership. Kyle notes that employees cannot simply “flip a switch” to separate personal issues from work. Building trusting relationships allows leaders to better understand and support their team members, ultimately leading to improved performance and morale.
Key Strategies:
- Build Trust: Develop genuine relationships with your team members. Show empathy and understanding towards their personal and professional challenges.
- Support Holistically: Recognize that employees’ personal lives impact their work. Offer support and flexibility to help them manage both aspects effectively.
- Promote Well-being: Encourage a healthy work-life balance and provide resources for mental and emotional well-being.
Communication Across Generations
Adapting Communication Styles
Communicating effectively with a multi-generational workforce can be complex. Kyle shares his perspective on the importance of adaptability in communication styles, recognizing that different generations have varying values and preferences. Leaders need to connect with their teams and adapt their approaches rather than expecting employees to conform to a single style.
Practical Tips:
- Understand Generational Differences: Take the time to learn about the values and communication preferences of different generations in your workforce.
- Tailor Communication: Adapt your communication style to suit the preferences of your team members. This could mean using different channels or adjusting the tone and frequency of communication.
- Encourage Feedback: Create an open environment where team members feel comfortable providing feedback on communication methods. This helps in continuously improving and adapting your approach.
Organizational Structure and Remote Work
Balancing On-site and Remote Work
Kyle provides insights into the structure of his current organization, Men Star Group, where the workforce primarily operates on-site due to the nature of manufacturing. He contrasts this with his previous experience in a hybrid work environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. While he acknowledges the benefits of remote work, he also emphasizes the value of in-person interactions for team building and spontaneous recognition of employee achievements.
Considerations for Leaders:
- Evaluate Work Nature: Assess the nature of your work and determine the feasibility of remote or hybrid work models.
- Foster In-person Interactions: Even in remote or hybrid settings, find opportunities for in-person interactions to build team cohesion and recognize achievements.
- Leverage Technology: Use technology to bridge the gap between remote and on-site employees, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration.
Recognizing Employee Contributions
Fostering a Positive Work Environment
The discussion touches on the tendency for leaders to focus on mistakes rather than recognizing successes. Kyle points out that having employees on-site increases opportunities for leaders to catch team members doing things right, which is essential for fostering a positive work environment.
Actionable Steps:
- Celebrate Successes: Make it a habit to recognize and celebrate the achievements of your team members, no matter how small.
- Provide Constructive Feedback: When addressing mistakes, focus on constructive feedback that helps employees learn and grow.
- Create a Recognition Program: Implement a formal recognition program to consistently acknowledge and reward employee contributions.
Reinforcing Organizational Culture
Aligning with Company Values
Kyle discusses the importance of maintaining a strong organizational culture that aligns with the company’s values. He believes in the concept of extreme ownership, where leaders take accountability for their team’s performance. This approach fosters humility and encourages leaders to ensure that their values are reflected in the hiring process and throughout the organization.
Key Actions:
- Define Core Values: Clearly define and communicate the core values of your organization.
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate these values in your actions and decisions as a leader.
- Incorporate Values in Hiring: Ensure that your hiring process includes evaluating candidates for cultural fit and alignment with company values.
Continuous Improvement and Employee Engagement
Driving Success in Manufacturing
The conversation shifts to the significance of continuous improvement in manufacturing. Kyle explains how engaging employees in the process of identifying inefficiencies and suggesting improvements can lead to better outcomes. Creating a culture of engagement and accountability is vital for driving success in manufacturing.
Strategies for Leaders:
- Encourage Participation: Involve employees in identifying areas for improvement and brainstorming solutions.
- Implement Feedback Loops: Establish regular feedback loops to gather input from employees and track the progress of improvement initiatives.
- Promote Accountability: Foster a culture where employees take ownership of their work and are accountable for their contributions to continuous improvement.
Lean Principles in Non-Manufacturing Contexts
Applying Lean Concepts Across Industries
John shares his experience with implementing lean principles in a service-based organization, highlighting the lessons that can be learned from manufacturing. Kyle agrees, noting that many concepts in lean manufacturing, such as optimizing workflows and minimizing waste, can be applied across various industries.
Practical Applications:
- Optimize Workflows: Analyze and streamline workflows to eliminate inefficiencies and improve productivity.
- Minimize Waste: Identify and reduce waste in processes, whether it’s time, resources, or effort.
- Adopt a Continuous Improvement Mindset: Encourage a culture of continuous improvement, where small changes are regularly made to enhance performance and outcomes.
Conclusion
As the episode wraps up, Kyle shares more about Men Star Group, emphasizing its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. He invites listeners to consider the importance of wiring harnesses in various applications, underscoring the company’s expertise in producing both simple and complex solutions. John expresses appreciation for Kyle’s insights and the valuable discussion on leadership in the manufacturing sector.
This episode serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of leadership and the importance of empathy, communication, and continuous improvement in fostering a positive and productive work environment. Kyle’s experiences and insights provide valuable lessons for leaders across all industries, emphasizing the need to adapt to the changing landscape of the workforce.
By implementing the actionable advice and strategies discussed in this episode, leaders can enhance their effectiveness, build stronger teams, and drive success in their organizations.
Our Host
John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.
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