Effective Leadership Development for Small and Medium-sized Manufacturers’

Abstract

Social and economic change have affected the workforce and, invariably, the leaders. However, manufacturing leaders' lack of experience and ability makes it difficult to be effective with today's workforce. Manufacturing leaders must develop knowledge and skills that resonate with the people and the organization to succeed. Complimenting previous research on leadership in Small and Medium-size-Manufacturers (SMMs), the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ 5X) quantitative research identified that the Manufacturing Leadership Series (Tier I) has developed Transactional and Transformative leadership styles and behaviors for frontline leaders. The study provides three perspectives for effectiveness: the emerging leader, subordinates, and the supervisor, compared to three outcomes or impacts of extra effort, effectiveness, and satisfaction. The researcher, an active field consultant, employs qualitative methods to enhance the quantitative findings, thereby providing practical input to strengthen the outreach education program. This Plan-Do-Check-Act process improves the knowledge-to-skill transfer of the Leadership Development Program. It is about the content and the facilitation delivery method, making the research valuable to the Manufacturing Extensions Partnerships' quest to support the people, process, and technology for manufacturing to prosper, with Educational Outreach being the catalyst.