The Just Don't Get It!

Leaders make decisions in isolation, then discover the unintended consequences later. Cross-functional problems land on the plant floor because no one takes ownership of solutions. The difference: High performers leverage collective intelligence through genuine partnerships. Low performers limit themselves to individual knowledge and perspective. Culture: What People Actually Experience The biggest takeaway here is trust. High-performing plants: Leaders show up consistently with authenticity and energy. Their actions match their words, especially under pressure. When difficult decisions must be made, people trust that leadership has their best interests at heart. An example: During the COVID pandemic, we had to implement some awful policies—masks in a hot and dusty environment, temperature screening causing people to wait outside in the cold, heat, and rain. We had to enforce social distancing and send people home if they had symptoms or were in contact with someone suspected of being ill. Through it all, the

117