5 ways to Build Trust with Production Operators

Jorge.
Jorge.
Jul 23, 2017 · 2 min read
  1. Approach them as your team members. First impressions are everything. Do not expect to gain respect automatically because you hold a college degree or you’re a “superior”. They know their machine and you are just on their way. Do not approach them acting like you know it all, that will get you nowhere. They are people just as you and I — they deserve as much respect as you would like to have. Remember this, you are both working towards the same goals and you complement each other.
  2. Give them the facts. Explain to them the why of things. Why are you there? What’s the project about? What is the benefit to the business and to them? How will this help them or impact them? The more they know the better chances of a successful project. They are your right hand.
  3. Spend time on the floor. There is no other way around it. Yes, we all understand you have meetings and emails then get there earlier or leave later. Learn the machine, learn their names, their spouse’s and children’s name. The longer you are in the floor the more they will get used to you and trust you. You will also first hand observe their daily struggles with the equipment and this will allow you to do a better job.
  4. Deliver on your promises. How would you feel if you have a flat tire at the gas station and the clerk told you he will call the tow truck but never does and instead goes home? You would feel frustrated, wouldn’t you? Because you trusted that this person will deliver. What’s even worse is that the operators tell you of a problem that they have with ZERO expectations of you delivering a solution. Now if you do deliver now you have gained trust and they know they can reach out to you and your word has value.
  5. Work Equalism, or how I like to call it Worqualism. The act of equality at the work place and disregard of superiority. It’s a team environment we are trying to achieve the same goal. We are workers with different skills. You are not better than anyone, we just have different jobs.

Original article was posted on my LinkedIn page.

Jorge.

Written by

Jorge.

Millennial. 32. Lean Six Sigma practitioner. Process engineer. Quality expert. Start-up aspirant. Tech history nerd.

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