Just this past week, Shannon Karels and Kathy Miller published a very important book that describes the transformation they led to converting operations from traditional manufacturing to a Lean enterprise. It is entitled Steel Toes and Stilettos: A True Story of Women Manufacturing Leaders and Lean Transformation Success, and their story provides a powerful case study of women supporting each other in the workplace to drive positive culture and significantly improve business results by leading with authenticity and inclusivity.
When I recently spoke with Shannon and Kathy, I asked them: “What is the best advice you could give future female leaders in manufacturing overseeing performance-improvement initiatives?” Here is their complete answer:
Stay true to yourself and have confidence in your ability to get results. You have stepped into this world of manufacturing, and you are up for the challenge. Manufacturing, at the end of the day, is about people and processes. While you are focused on improving those processes through the well-documented improvement tools, it is advisable that you make your personal assessment of the realities of the situation. Do not rely solely on what other people are telling you – use the data and your instincts to help guide the organization toward a better future state.
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