--- title: Kevin Burns Blog | Kevin Burns (2) description: Tools and strategies to build supervisor leadership, clarify the safety message, and get employee buy-in. (2) --- Kevin Burns Blog | Kevin Burns (2) [![KevBurns Learning: We teach industrial supervisors how to be really great leaders.](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Kev-Burns-Learning-white.png?width=240&height=118&name=Kev-Burns-Learning-white.png "KevBurns Learning: We teach industrial supervisors how to be really great leaders.")](https://www.kevburns.com/) - [About](https://www.kevburns.com/about-kevin-burns) - [Supervisor Training](https://www.kevburns.com/supervisors) - [Try First 6 Days Free](https://www.kevburns.com/6days) - [52 Benefits of Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/52-benefits) - [Hope Calculator](https://www.kevburns.com/calculator) - [Issues](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) - [Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) - [Operational](https://www.kevburns.com/operational-issues) - [Growth](https://www.kevburns.com/growth-issues) - [Resources](https://www.kevburns.com/books) - [Books](https://www.kevburns.com/books) - [Newsletter](https://www.kevburns.com/newsletter) - [Downloads](https://www.kevburns.com/downloads) - [Case Study NBU](https://www.kevburns.com/nbu-case-study) - [Case Study WCC](https://www.kevburns.com/wcc-case-study-2026) - [ROI Videos](https://www.kevburns.com/videos) - [Speaking](https://www.kevburns.com/speaking) - [Media/Podcast](https://www.kevburns.com/media) - [Blog](https://www.kevburns.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.kevburns.com/contact-us) - [About](https://www.kevburns.com/about-kevin-burns) - [Supervisor Training](https://www.kevburns.com/supervisors) - [Try First 6 Days Free](https://www.kevburns.com/6days) - [52 Benefits of Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/52-benefits) - [Hope Calculator](https://www.kevburns.com/calculator) - [Issues](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) - [Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) - [Operational](https://www.kevburns.com/operational-issues) - [Growth](https://www.kevburns.com/growth-issues) - [Resources](https://www.kevburns.com/books) - [Books](https://www.kevburns.com/books) - [Newsletter](https://www.kevburns.com/newsletter) - [Downloads](https://www.kevburns.com/downloads) - [Case Study NBU](https://www.kevburns.com/nbu-case-study) - [Case Study WCC](https://www.kevburns.com/wcc-case-study-2026) - [ROI Videos](https://www.kevburns.com/videos) - [Speaking](https://www.kevburns.com/speaking) - [Media/Podcast](https://www.kevburns.com/media) - [Blog](https://www.kevburns.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.kevburns.com/contact-us) # Kevin Burns Blog #### Leadership for frontline industrial supervisors. [Current Articles](https://www.kevburns.com/blog) [RSS](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/rss.xml) [Why Work With Kevin?](https://www.kevburns.com/about-kevin-burns) - [safety leadership (247)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-leadership) - [safety culture (166)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-culture) - [kevin burns (135)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/kevin-burns) - [safety buy-in (125)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-buy-in) - [peoplework (96)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/peoplework) - [the carefull supervisor (90)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/the-carefull-supervisor) - [safety meeting (74)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-meeting) - [supervisor training (63)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-training) - [safety speaker (60)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-speaker) - [safety marketing (59)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-marketing) - [safety communications (58)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-communications) - [supervisor leadership (57)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-leadership) - [PeopleWork Supervisor Academy (56)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/peoplework-supervisor-academy) - [safety complacency (52)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-complacency) - [safety (51)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety) - [selling safety (33)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/selling-safety) - [Leadership Development (32)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/leadership-development) - [Supervisor leadership skills (32)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-leadership-skills) - [supervisor development (25)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-development) - [supervisor safety coaching (23)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-safety-coaching) - [Developing effective frontline leaders (18)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/developing-effective-frontline-leaders) - [employee engagement (17)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-engagement) - [Employee Retention (14)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-retention) - [frontline supervisors (14)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-supervisors) - [hope promotion (14)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/hope-promotion) - [workplace safety culture (14)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-safety-culture) - [Industrial Supervision (13)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/industrial-supervision) - [workplace culture (12)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-culture) - [Workplace Safety (11)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-safety) - [Business ROI (10)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/business-roi) - [Engaging frontline teams (9)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/engaging-frontline-teams) - [positive supervisor (9)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/positive-supervisor) - [CareFull Supervisor (8)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/carefull-supervisor) - [people skills (8)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/people-skills) - [supervisor communications (6)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-communications) - [frontline leadership (5)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-leadership) - [industrial leadership (5)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/industrial-leadership) - [industrial safety (5)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/industrial-safety) - [operations management (4)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/operations-management) - [operational performance (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/operational-performance) - [team development (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/team-development) - [12 metrics (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/12-metrics) - [Employee Motivation (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-motivation) - [Succession Planning (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/succession-planning) - [absenteeism and safety (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/absenteeism-and-safety) - [disengagement (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/disengagement) - [frontline management (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-management) - [psychological safety (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/psychological-safety) - [safety manager (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-manager) - [safety training for supervisors (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-training-for-supervisors) - [supervisor adaptability (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-adaptability) - [supervisor people-skills (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-people-skills) - [supervisor safety leadership (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-safety-leadership) - [supervisor trust (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-trust) - [team culture (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/team-culture) - [52 benefits of safety (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/52-benefits-of-safety) - [Absenteeism Reduction (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/absenteeism-reduction) - [absenteeism (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/absenteeism) - [care in the workplace (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/care-in-the-workplace) - [coaching supervisors (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/coaching-supervisors) - [confidence at work (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/confidence-at-work) - [core essentials (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/core-essentials) - [crisis management (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/crisis-management) - [delegation (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/delegation) - [departmental silos (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/departmental-silos) - [ehs (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/ehs) - [employee burnout (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-burnout) - [employee turnover (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-turnover) - [employee wellbeing (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-wellbeing) - [employee wellness program (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-wellness-program) - [employees interrupt safety meetings (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employees-interrupt-safety-meetings) - [escalations (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/escalations) - [exit interview (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/exit-interview) - [family safety culture (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/family-safety-culture) - [frontline supervisor training (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-supervisor-training) - [how to improve safety culture (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/how-to-improve-safety-culture) - [how to reduce workplace stress (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/how-to-reduce-workplace-stress) - [how to run a safety meeting (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/how-to-run-a-safety-meeting) - [hse (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/hse) - [industrial management (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/industrial-management) - [leadership standardization (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/leadership-standardization) - [management meetings (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/management-meetings) - [manufacturing leadership (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/manufacturing-leadership) - [mental health at work (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/mental-health-at-work) - [organizational silos (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/organizational-silos) - [performance metrics (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/performance-metrics) - [plant manager (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/plant-manager) - [productivity (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/productivity) - [relationship management (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/relationship-management) - [safety meeting problems (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-meeting-problems) - [safety meeting script (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-meeting-script) - [safety performance (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-performance) - [safety posters (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-posters) - [safety program conditions (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-program-conditions) - [silo thinking (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/silo-thinking) - [staff retention (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/staff-retention) - [stress at work (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/stress-at-work) - [supervisor coaching (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-coaching) - [supervisor confidence (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-confidence) - [supervisor loneliness (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-loneliness) - [supervisor warning signs (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-warning-signs) - [taking control of safety meetings (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/taking-control-of-safety-meetings) - [truly human leadership (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/truly-human-leadership) - [turnover and safety (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/turnover-and-safety) - [workforce stability (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workforce-stability) - [workplace stress (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-stress) - [workplace wellness (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-wellness) - [world-class safety program (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/world-class-safety-program) See all ## [Why Safety and Wellness Programs Are Solving the Wrong Problem](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/why-safety-and-wellness-programs-are-solving-the-wrong-problem) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on July 17, 2026 [![safety and wellness are not working](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/safety_and_wellness.jpg?width=900&name=safety_and_wellness.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/why-safety-and-wellness-programs-are-solving-the-wrong-problem) Your company has wellness programs. EAPs, stress reduction platforms, mental health resources, maybe even resilience training. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/why-safety-and-wellness-programs-are-solving-the-wrong-problem) ## [Why Turnover, Absenteeism, and Disengagement Are Destroying Your Safety Numbers](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/why-turnover-absenteeism-and-disengagement-are-destroying-your-safety-numbers) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on July 10, 2026 [![safety isn't the problem](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/safety%20isnt%20the%20problem.jpg?width=900&name=safety%20isnt%20the%20problem.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/why-turnover-absenteeism-and-disengagement-are-destroying-your-safety-numbers) If your safety numbers aren't moving, your safety program probably isn't the problem. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/why-turnover-absenteeism-and-disengagement-are-destroying-your-safety-numbers) ## [How Industrial Operations Managers Sabotage Their Leadership Pipeline](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/how-industrial-operations-managers-sabotage-their-leadership-pipeline) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on June 19, 2026 [![when you feel there is no one to promote, you shortcut your leadership pipeline](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/No%20One%20To%20Promote%20thumb.png?width=900&name=No%20One%20To%20Promote%20thumb.png)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/how-industrial-operations-managers-sabotage-their-leadership-pipeline) If you ask most operations managers why they can't find anyone ready to promote, they'll tell you it's a people problem. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/how-industrial-operations-managers-sabotage-their-leadership-pipeline) ## [Why Employees Don't Trust Their Supervisors (3 Directions of Trust)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/why-employees-dont-trust-their-supervisors-3-directions-of-trust) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on June 12, 2026 [![trust me why employees don't trust their supervisors](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/trust%20me%20-%20kevin%20burns%20facing%20camera%20for%20a%20video%20about%20company%20trust%20at%20an%20all%20time%20low.png?width=900&name=trust%20me%20-%20kevin%20burns%20facing%20camera%20for%20a%20video%20about%20company%20trust%20at%20an%20all%20time%20low.png)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/why-employees-dont-trust-their-supervisors-3-directions-of-trust) Ask most senior managers whether their employees trust their supervisors, and you'll get one of two answers. Either a confident yes or a long pause. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/why-employees-dont-trust-their-supervisors-3-directions-of-trust) ## [4 Ways Departmental Silos Are Costing You Every Metric](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/4-ways-departmental-silos-are-costing-you-every-metric) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on June 5, 2026 [![there are 4 ways silos are hurting your company](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/14%20thumb.jpg?width=900&name=14%20thumb.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/4-ways-departmental-silos-are-costing-you-every-metric) In nearly 30 years of working with industrial companies, almost every single one has admitted the same thing. They have a communications problem, a departmental silo problem, or heaven help them, both. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/4-ways-departmental-silos-are-costing-you-every-metric) ## [Have You Given Your Supervisors a Hope Promotion?](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/have-you-given-your-supervisors-a-hope-promotion) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on May 29, 2026 [![have you given your frontline supervisors a hope promotion](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Hope%20Promotion%20Thumb.jpg?width=900&name=Hope%20Promotion%20Thumb.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/have-you-given-your-supervisors-a-hope-promotion) There's a mistake that almost every industrial operation makes when they promote someone to supervisor. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/have-you-given-your-supervisors-a-hope-promotion) ## [Employee Engagement Has Nothing To Do With Employees](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/employee-engagement-has-nothing-to-do-with-employees) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on May 22, 2026 [![Employee Engagement Has Nothing To Do With Employees](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/20260522%20Post.jpg?width=900&name=20260522%20Post.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/employee-engagement-has-nothing-to-do-with-employees) You've tried the workshops. You've run the surveys. You've rolled out the initiatives. Employee engagement still isn't where it needs to be. And you can't build your safety culture without engaged employees. Here's the question nobody in the engagement industry wants you to ask. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/employee-engagement-has-nothing-to-do-with-employees) ## [The Reason You Can't Call Your Supervisor a Leader](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/the-reason-you-cant-call-your-supervisor-a-leader) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on May 8, 2026 [![The Reason You Can't Call Your Supervisor a Leader](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%2020260508.jpg?width=900&name=Blog%2020260508.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/the-reason-you-cant-call-your-supervisor-a-leader) You gave them the title. You gave them the schedule, the paperwork, and the HR contact number. But there is one thing most organizations never give their supervisors when they promote them. And it is the only thing that actually matters. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/the-reason-you-cant-call-your-supervisor-a-leader) ## [What Do Safety Numbers and Turnover Rates Have in Common?](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/what-do-safety-numbers-and-turnover-rates-have-in-common) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on April 24, 2026 [![what is it that drives safety, turnover, productivity, and a dozen other metrics](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%2020260424.jpg?width=900&name=Blog%2020260424.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/what-do-safety-numbers-and-turnover-rates-have-in-common) Your safety numbers are connected to your turnover numbers. Your engagement numbers are connected to your absenteeism numbers. Quality issues are connected to your succession planning. With apologies to Levitt and Dubner's Freakonomics, there is a single thread that connects them all. Find out why your individual initiatives are only getting modest results. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/what-do-safety-numbers-and-turnover-rates-have-in-common) ## [Your Supervisors Are Busy. But Are They Effective?](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/your-supervisors-are-busy.-but-are-they-effective) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on April 10, 2026 [![effective supervisors build teams that can operate without them](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%2020260410.jpg?width=900&name=Blog%2020260410.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/your-supervisors-are-busy.-but-are-they-effective) Your supervisors work hard. No one is questioning that. But hard work and effective leadership are two different things, and confusing them is costing your operation. This post breaks down the gap between a busy supervisor and an effective one, and what it takes to close it. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/your-supervisors-are-busy.-but-are-they-effective) [Previous](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns/page/1) [All posts](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/all) [Next](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns/page/3) ### Subscribe to Kevin's Blog Get insights and strategies to build the leadership skills employees want their supervisors to have! Subscribe now. --- Kevin Burns' newest book, **The CareFull Supervisor**. This is the book that every frontline supervisor should read.   ![carefull-supervisor-3d-covers-400-1](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/carefull-supervisor-3d-covers-400-1.png?width=253&height=253&name=carefull-supervisor-3d-covers-400-1.png)   **BUY NOW:** [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/CareFull-Supervisor-Tools-Succeed-Employees/dp/1039197256)| [B&N](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-carefull-supervisor-kevin-burns/1144577942) | [Indigo](https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/the-carefull-supervisor-the-tools-to-succeed-and-be-the-supervisor-employees-want-to-have/9781039197268.html)| [FreisenPress](https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000383321344)| [Kobo](https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-carefull-supervisor)| Audible --- ### Recent Posts - About - [Supervisor Training](https://www.kevburns.com/supervisors-old) - [Blog](https://www.kevburns.com/blog) #### © 2026 PeopleWork Align Inc. 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