From Missed Metrics to Morale Issues: How to Spot and Strengthen Leadership Gaps in Your Organization

Strong leadership at the front line isn’t optional—it’s essential. And if your plant is struggling with performance, engagement, or growth, your frontline supervisors may be the place to start. “Supervisors should be the link between strategy and execution, connecting the big picture to drive daily wins,” says Carol Crawford, Talent & Culture Services Leader at WMEP. “When frontline leaders are spending more time on the line than leading the team, it’s not just a workload issue—it’s a leadership gap.”

Do These Sound Familiar?

These are the most common symptoms that indicate it’s time to invest in leadership development:

1. On-time delivery, productivity, or quality metrics are slipping
2. Supervisors are stuck in the work, not leading or coaching
3. There’s little to no delegation—it’s easier to “just do it”
4. Key tasks or decisions are bottlenecked at one person
5. There’s no clear system for growing talent, managing employee performance, or developing team performance

What Frontline Leadership Should Look Like

Great frontline leaders don’t just manage. They coach their teams, hold them accountable, and create a workplace where expectations are clear and performance improves over time. Many frontline leaders aren’t lacking work ethic—they’re lacking training. Many were promoted because they were great operators, but they never learned how to lead. As Carol puts it: “A good leader should be elevating the team and delegating, not stepping in to do the work for them. When supervisors lead well, everything from morale to output improves.”

When It Comes to Frontline Leadership Training, Manufacturing Experience Matters

Manufacturers often try to manage leadership training internally, but as Carol explains, that approach can fall short. “For example, as an outside resource, we bring a proven curriculum designed specifically for frontline leadership in manufacturing, tailored to the specific manufacturer, and delivered by trainers who have actually worked and walked the shop floor themselves.” That lived experience matters. It creates credibility, builds trust, and delivers real-world relevance that other trainers may not be equipped to offer. It also frees up internal staff to focus on their core responsibilities. As Carol puts it, “It’s hard to be a prophet in your own land. Sometimes hearing it from an external voice just makes it stick.”

A Win for the Company, the Team, and the Supervisor

When a company invests in professional leadership development, the impact ripples across the organization. For the business, it means higher productivity, reduced turnover, and stronger team cohesion. For employees, it often means finally having a supervisor who listens, coaches, and builds trust—qualities that directly influence retention and engagement. And for the leader being trained, the benefits are just as significant: increased confidence, better performance, and a clearer pathway for long-term growth. “Human skills are the new competitive advantage for companies,” Carol says. “When you build those skills in your leaders, you’re not just filling roles—you’re building future business success.”

WMEP is a nonprofit consulting organization with a simple mission: help Wisconsin manufacturers succeed. Our advisors bring real-world industry experience and deliver practical solutions across three key focus areas: Growth, Operations, and People. Contact us to talk about how our hands-on Frontline Leader and Leadership Fundamentals Training can help you improve productivity and employee engagement.