Accountability for Operations Managers: Applying the Four Characteristics That Build Stronger Teams and Better Results with John Raymer #60

Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter.

Now, let’s jump in!

People see who you are, even when you don’t.

In this episode, John Raymer, longtime manufacturing leader and former Toyota Motor Manufacturing professional, joins the podcast to talk about manufacturing leadership, humility, and authentic leadership for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.

In part one of this two-part conversation, John shares how teams learn everything from their leaders, both good and bad, and why practicing humility helps improve communication skills, build trust, and make employees feel valued. We explore how emotional intelligence, accountability, and growth mindset directly impact culture, engagement, and performance on the shop floor.

0:43 – “Serve the person you once were.”

1:00 – How your land with other people don’t always match your intentions

2:18 – There has never been a time where manufacturing leadership is more important than it is today

3:41 – Without people skilled in manufacturing and others trades, we’re at risk of our whole economic engine fall apart

5:03 – True efficiency requires great leadership

5:59 – To find out why you organization is the way it is, look closely at yourself

6:17 – People learn everything, both good and bad, for leaders in their organization

8:40 – If someone is performing poorly, their leadership and who trained them is a big factor

9:00 – The people you’re in charge of will only perform as well as they see you performing

10:45 – People perceive who you really are, even when you don’t see it yourself

10:53: What’s the different between mistakes and lessons?

12:08 – Change to the whole organization comes from the top

14:43 – When people feel like their contributions aren’t valued, they’re more likely to leave the organization

15:17 – Humility is an important foundational skill for leaders

16:06 – “Problem employees” can often be the ones with the most valuable insights

17:35 - The biggest mistake that a leader can make is to run over, talk over, or dismiss the opinions of those that work for you. 

20:34 – Apologies and humility go a long way

22:44 – Most people remember the best leaders in their lives and the very poor ones, but not the ones in-between

24:59 – When you own your mistakes, people respect it