“Employee engagement should be a manager’s primary responsibility.”
A bold statement from one of the world’s most recognized analytics and advisory companies – Gallup. What’s more, and to no surprise, they back up the claim with a statistic: “70% of the variance in team engagement is determined solely by the manager.”
Overall, managers within any industry are responsible for cascading messages from the top; ensuring tasks are completed correctly, efficiently and on time; and providing employee support.
In manufacturing, the story rings the same.
Beekeeper, a mobile platform that keeps companies connected to its frontline, released a report that found 60% of management positions in any given company are occupied by frontliners. And they’re responsible for 80% of the workforce. This is all to say that frontline managers have the most influence on employee engagement. They hold the power. With it, they can motivate others, or break morale.
The report states that frontline managers are “pivotal to the success of the overall business strategy because they oversee its execution.” They’re referred to as the glue holding everything together; impacting employee retention and helping maintain employee loyalty to the business.
Recently, the manufacturing sector has struggled with several issues globally including supply-chain issues, labour and talent shortages and rapidly changing technology. All issues have significantly impacted and in some cases stalled productivity and employee engagement levels. And often, frontline managers are ill-equipped to take on such a big role and tackle industry-wide problems. They may feel overwhelmed, unprepared, or uncertain about how to leave a positive impact.
The key is for companies to invest in robust leadership training. Beekeeper says, “Every manager in your organization should have the soft skills necessary to navigate conflict, motivate team members, and get frontline workers involved in the decision-making process.”
At Glass of Learning, we offer customized solutions for frontline leaders looking to do just that. Our programs are designed to empower leaders and help companies deliver results. Get in touch with our team to learn more.
