Management is often a goal for workers who start out on the manufacturing floor. And in an industry as specialized as shipbuilding, finding and grooming talent from the start can be an important component to developing strong leaders for the future. So how does someone go from fabrication or other shipyard jobs to a leadership role? Here are a few things to consider.
- Do good work.
More than anything else, be sure that you are doing going work. Without the quality work to back up your experience, you won’t be considered for a possible leadership role. Even if you want to move up, focus on your current position and duties before you try to stretch yourself to handle additional tasks. - Be willing to learn.
A leader is someone who continuously learns. Demonstrate this every day when you’re willing to learn new things, try new things, and consider ideas that you hadn’t previously thought about. You can also take it upon yourself to pursue additional education. - Practice active listening.
A good leader is also someone who listens to others. In most cases, this should be active listening. It’s human nature to only listen long enough to forum a response. Instead, be sure you’re listening attentively and repeat back the concern that someone’s brought up so you can ensure you’ve understood it completely. - Lead by example.
You will also want to lead by example by conducting yourself at work the way you expect others to do as well. For example, if you want production workers to make safety a priority, you need to demonstrate that it’s a priority for yourself as well. Follow all the regulations and safety requirements when you’re on the floor to show that this is critical. - Learn from others.
A strong leader is also someone willing to learn from everyone around them. They aren’t concerned about someone’s position or rank when considering new ideas or ways to do things. Listen to those around you and implement new ideas that can help you improve performance or productivity.
Do you have what it takes to be a leader in the marine industry?
Contact Hutco today to learn more.
