Word Count: 3877 words Estimated reading time: about 8 minutes.
In today's rapidly changing business environment, the role of frontline managers is increasingly becoming a critical factor in organizational success. As a bridge between the company's strategy and day-to-day operations, they have the important responsibility of guiding the team, achieving goals, and maintaining efficient operations.
However,To perform these responsibilities effectively, frontline managers need to have not only a range of skills and knowledge, but also a specific perspective to ensure that their management practices contribute to the growth of the team and the development of the organization.
This article will reveal the irreplaceable role they need to play in driving the organization forward, as well as the key perspectives needed to perform those roles.
For more information, please join us on June 27-28 for the open class "Frontline Team Leader Management".
one
What role do frontline managers need to play?
The leader of the production site is the key to communication between the top and bottom. The role of a front-line manager in an organization requires a lot of work. However, on-site improvement is a very important role for front-line managers, which will be overlooked by many people.
1.Focus on on-site improvements
First, let's take a look at what the focus of on-site improvement is. The most important thing to improve the site is to have a sense of problem, a sense of ownership, a sense of responsibility, and an independent and autonomous action.
Identifying problems leads to improvements. If improvements go well, management results will be generated. Then, with improvements, you'll notice the next problem.
This will lead to a change in consciousness.
2.Reflect on your actions
There are two views on this issue.
One is to look at the problem from the perspective of extroversion, from the perspective of other people's responsibilities, such as design problems, order problems, delivery problems, etc.
On the other hand, there is an introverted perspective, looking at problems from the perspective of "self-blame", such as wasteful behavior, lack of management, lack of awareness, etc.
When improving, start with self-blame, that is, reflect on your own behavior.
There are many examples of topics that encourage self-blame, such as the waste of finding things and the waste of putting things away. Try to think about whether any wasteful blame applies to you.
two
The role of frontline managers in the organization
1.Front-line managers are the key to communication
Next, let's talk about the role of frontline managers in organizations.
Now,What is the role of frontline managers in an organization? Let's take a look at the roles of senior leaders, bottom leaders, and middle leaders.
First, top-down means ensuring that the ideas from above permeate the ends of the tissue appropriately. Bottom-up means contributing to management by doing things well.
Policies are formulated at the top, and mid-level leaders set policies as goals and communicate them to those at the bottom. The underlying staff identifies and implements the measures and lists the problems found.
In addition, middle leadership is responsible for resolving issues related to implementation and addressing those that can be resolved on their own. For matters that require higher-level decision-making, we seek approval and move things forward. In this way, front-line managers have a key role in communicating up and down.
2.What is the reason for 80% of failures?
It has been said that 80% of the world's failures are due to a failure to communicate well with others.
Insufficient information is conveyed
Improper way of conveying information
The timing of the message is too late or too early
The flow of information is not smooth
In other words, frontline managers must act with the understanding that the way they communicate information plays an important role in determining the outcome of the organization.
three
The perspective that front-line managers need - the management resources given by the company
Next, let's talk about the perspective that front-line managers need.
What perspective should front-line managers have when managing production sites? Let's check the required perspective. The management resources given by the enterprise include people, goods, money, information and time.
Frontline managers need to make effective use of these management resources. My job is to manage the workplace by thinking about how to use these management resources effectively on a daily basis and ensure that the assigned goals are met.
four
3 requirements for front-line managers
The three requirements for front-line managers to make effective use of management resources are as follows.
Listen to the opinions of the site and decide on the methods and procedures
First of all, why "determine methods and procedures while listening to the opinions of the field"?
If you don't decide what needs to be decided, the following questions arise.
Workers move on their own (instructions and chain of command are broken).
Everyone works differently (unmanageable).
Can't tell if it's good or bad (the problem is hidden).
It is considered that good countermeasures cannot be implemented (defects reappear).
In order to prevent this from happening, the following points need to be carefully decided.
Is it concrete and (really) feasible?
If you implement it, will you be able to meet your goals by the deadline?
Are there any other negative effects?
Is it sustainable?
Once decided, put it into practice and teach others to follow it.
The second thing is to "practice what you decide for yourself and teach others so that they can follow it".
The role of the front-line manager is to teach and follow the decisions (education and training) in order to implement them correctly.
Without education and training, the following problems arise:
Inability to implement work measures as expected (measures cannot be implemented).
It is not possible to keep something that has been decided (backtracking).
Making mistakes (defects) at work
It is not possible to continue the scheduled work (the defect reappears).
In order to prevent this from happening, the following points must be taught and followed.
Try to implement your own working methods
Clearly explain what the main points of implementing the method are.
Explain why this approach is necessary (its context).
Check that things are going according to plan.
The third thing is to "check if things are going according to plan". The role of the front-line manager is to check that decisions are being executed correctly.
If you don't check it carefully, the following problems may occur.
The problem recurred (no countermeasures taken).
Decide that you don't need to do something, and you can't keep your decision
Failure to listen to orders (defects will occur).
Inability to communicate
In order to prevent this from happening, the following points must be taught and followed.
Don't use "yes no" to confirm that you understand correctly.
If there is any error in the implementation content, it will be corrected on the spot.
Re-explain why it had to be done
Explain what happens if you don't do the task
Think about why you're not protected (how to decide?) How is it taught? ）
In order to avoid the occurrence of "inconvenience".
Please be sure to strictly abide by the "three requirements" to avoid unsafe, defective, dissatisfied, insufficient, anxious, inconvenient and other "bad" situations.
five
What front-line managers should value
1.Master numbers and express them in clear words
The first thing front-line managers should value is "understanding things with numbers" and "expressing things with words".
Not only that, but it also includes "being able to use numbers" and "giving instructions in clear language". Don't use vague images or ambiguous words. It's important to make sure everyone understands what you're saying.
2.Learn about the three categories of work
The second thing front-line managers should remember is to understand the three categories of work.
In field work, any work is divided into three categories: value work, ancillary work, and wasteful work. Value work refers to work that generates profit (related to added value) and refers to work that changes the shape and properties of things.
This includes machining, machine operation, assembly, and material input. Ancillary work is defined as work that is not completely wasteful, but does not directly add value, and is necessary under existing methods. This includes setup, measurement, recording, shipping, and more.
Waste is work that should be eliminated immediately because it does not add value. This includes loitering, waiting, equipment downtime, and manufacturing defects. In these three categories, it is necessary to observe the site while realizing that incidental work and waste are the goals of improvement.
3.How to treat subordinates
The third thing front-line managers should pay attention to is how they treat their subordinates.
Don't blame your subordinates for their mistakes. It's important to figure out the cause of the error and focus on preventing it from happening again.
On the other hand, youAlsoThe negligence of subordinates should not be overlooked. Taking shortcuts can have a big negative impact on those around you, so sometimes it's important to be strict.
4.How to praise and scold
The fourth thing front-line managers need to keep in mind is how to praise and scold.
Praise good deeds truthfully (convey your happiness to subordinates).
Scold bad things realistically (encourage subordinates to reflect).
A good front-line manager will treat his subordinates with this attitude. On the other hand,
Praise people who do well (subordinates are flattered......）
Scolding the person who did something wrong (the subordinate feels scolded......）
Such a front-line manager is a terrible front-line manager. When interacting with subordinates, remember that the object of praise or scolding is not a person, but an event or behavior.
5.How to give instructions to subordinates
The fifth thing front-line managers should focus on is how to give instructions to their subordinates.
If you say, "I'll think about it," it's the same as procrastinating, and saying "I'll think about it later" is no different than answering "I can't."
Instead, keep in mind that the key is whether you can say "I'll verify" in a concrete way that makes them say "I'll try."
6.How to communicate
The sixth thing frontline managers should pay attention to is the way they communicate.
The word "communication" is derived from the root word "share, share, share". Its role is not one-sided communication, but interaction such as mutual understanding, trust, empathy, etc. Therefore, front-line managers must be aware of the following when carrying out their daily activities:
Start with greetings (good morning, thank you, and thank you for all your hard work).
We talk a lot about things outside of work.
Feel free to talk to anyone, not just specific people
Don't let your morning meeting get boring.
I also have a listener attitude at meetings.
You can't change your personality, but if you become an actor, you can do anything! Be intentional about creating a bright, vibrant workplace.
six
A summary of the roles required of front-line managers in the field
What role do front-line managers need to play? What perspectives should frontline managers focus on?
It is important to have a sense of problem and ownership in on-site improvement, and to act independently and autonomously.
In improvement activities, it is more important to focus on introverted thinking "self-blame thinking" rather than extroverted thinking "blaming others". First, you need to reflect on your actions.
The five management resources that the company gives to front-line managers are: people, goods, money, information, and time
Front-line managers should not attack their subordinates' mistakes. However, you can't ignore the negligence of your subordinates. Cutting corners can have a big negative impact on those around you, so it's important to be strict.