CRC Press Becoming the Supervisor: Achieving Your Company's Mission and Building Your Team

Becoming a Supervisor tells the story of Trevor who works as one of the production team in a small company that makes toy boats. He is thrust into the role of supervisor unexpectedly when his general manager reacts to his constant suggestions of how things could be better. When the GM becomes ill, Trevor struggles to take up the slack for several months until a new GM arrives. The core of the book follows Trevor’s growth under the coaching of  Julie, his new GM. As Trevor deals with one challenge after another, Julie guides him on a journey to learn the core skills needed by all front-line leaders. The reader takes away four key ideas: (1) Front-line leadership skills are not too complicated to learn. (2) These skills are something that they can develop in themselves, regardless of what their organization does. (3) Tools and skills are there to help solve real business problems; implementing the tools is not a strategy. (4) In your role as supervisor (directing or responsible for others) you have to look after the mission of the company AND look after your people – doing only one is not an option. Essentially, this book is intended to give hope to a new supervisor or team lead. They will finish the book knowing that the skills they need can be learned and aren’t that difficult to acquire. It is designed to introduce the central skills that any supervisor has to be able to master at least with a basic working competency: instructing, leading, and making improvements in their own area. It introduces some of the more widely used tools that a new supervisor may need. More importantly, it ties these tools and skills to solving particular problems. Readers will understand that the tools are not important for their own sake, but only to the extent that the tools serve the larger objective of the organization. This book is designed to give the reader an entertaining and hopeful story about the very difficult transition from worker to supervisor, from being one of the crew to directing the crew. It is an emotionally tough transition, and the idea that someone could see a model of how it can work out will be helpful to folks new in a leadership role. Finally, the book provides a reference to other sources of information that will let the reader extend their learning about each of the tools or skills referenced in the contents. Review "Great story of a turnaround of a company using the TWI JI, JR, JM and Kata methodologies. Very enjoyable read with ideas that can be implemented quickly in any company." Paul D. Hill, Manager of Continuous Improvement, Cosma Canada US; A Division of Magna International "In a heart warming, easy to read story Alley has made the concepts of TWI (Training Within Industry) easy to understand and more importantly gives you a sense of how transformational TWI can be. Whether you are a first line Supervisor or General Manager, experienced or brand new, this book gives you the tools and practices to be better at your job." Ben Hume, Former National Chair, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters "The questions for reflection at the end of each chapter will be helpful for leaders at many different levels, whether new or experienced. The supervisory tools introduced in the book are practical and effective. " Jason Waters, Manager, Western Canada Parts Distribution Centre, Toyota Canada "A great read, a great story, great lessons, and powerful learning for new and experienced supervisors. I couldn’t wait to see how it ended!" Anne C. Graham, #1 Best Selling Author -- Profit in Plain Sight About the Author Hugh R. Alley, P.Eng., is president and founder of First Line Training Inc. The company helps clients improve productivity and profits by building the skills of managers and supervisors. Hugh is an industrial engineer and has worked for over 25 years in a wide range of manufacturing settings. He has been a manager, a consultant, and a business owner. He