SOLUTION
The Refinery Leadership Team and PeopleCore decided to try something unprecedented. Leadership training would be given to both the salaried First Line Supervisors as well as the hourly Chief Operators. A concern was the leadership training needed to be useful and not just theoretical. With that as a key differentiator between PeopleCore and our competition, we went to work. We set out to develop leadership training that would emphasize the importance of leading by influence instead of authority. Or rather, leading others when they have no reason to follow you.
The results were impressive. The “us versus them” mentality faded and the opposing sides came together. Chief Operators and Supervisors began to realize their goals and objectives were similar. The Supervisors began to see the Chief Operators as trusted advisors and became better leaders. And it all started from the simple question: “Where can we improve?”
The effectiveness of the leadership training was felt throughout the organization. In fact, PeopleCore’s leadership training became a prerequisite for promotion to Chief Operator. Additionally, PeopleCore was asked to provide the same leadership training to the mid-level managers.