Managing a diverse manufacturing team is challenging. How do you effectively lead them to project success?

I have found working with a diverse team as a great method of achieving best results in the projects. The insights from experienced team members and the out of box approaches of young players in the team are a great combination for tackling challenges that arise. However, the project leader must have the patience and the ability to sort through all the inputs they are getting and choose the best course of action. For example, I had to redesign a shaft for our cutting SPM and used suggestions from both, the experienced player (do not make it complicated) and use elements available in market instead of customising it (the guy literally dragged me through the shop floor and the solution was staring us in face the whole time).

The first thing that I always do as a operations lead is that I explain the project in depth to each and every assembly engineer on the team. All their questions are answered and very clear objective are set regarding the quality standards and other deliverables of the project. This helps them to better understand the work they are doing and increases their involvement in the project. Many times, their insights have brought forth such errors that were skipped by the design team and which would have led to serious failures in the machine.

Conflicts are a part and parcel wherever a diverse team is involved. The key to success is identifying the conflict causing areas and developing an efficient system for conflict resolution and prevention. Many times my design team and manufacturing team lock horns regarding deviations in design and physical requirement of the final product. In that case, listening patiently to both the parties and then analysing the problem and focusing on solution together is the best way to avoid escalation. Yes, one needs to keep a check on their ego and sometimes one party has to take the higher ground. But that benefits both, the organisation and the individual in the long run.