--- title: Kevin Burns Blog | kevin burns (2) description: kevin burns | 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 Academy](https://www.kevburns.com/supervisors) - [7 Reasons to Not Work With Us](https://www.kevburns.com/7-reasons-not-to-work-with-us) - [52 Benefits of Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/52-benefits) - [Hope Calculator](https://www.kevburns.com/calculator) - [Issues](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) - [People](https://www.kevburns.com/people-issues) - [Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) - [Escalations](https://www.kevburns.com/escalation-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 Academy](https://www.kevburns.com/supervisors) - [7 Reasons to Not Work With Us](https://www.kevburns.com/7-reasons-not-to-work-with-us) - [52 Benefits of Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/52-benefits) - [Hope Calculator](https://www.kevburns.com/calculator) - [Issues](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) - [People](https://www.kevburns.com/people-issues) - [Safety](https://www.kevburns.com/safety-issues) - [Escalations](https://www.kevburns.com/escalation-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 (138)](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 (65)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-training) - [safety speaker (60)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-speaker) - [PeopleWork Supervisor Academy (59)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/peoplework-supervisor-academy) - [safety marketing (59)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-marketing) - 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[onboarding (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/onboarding) - [organizational silos (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/organizational-silos) - [performance metrics (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/performance-metrics) - [peter principle (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/peter-principle) - [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) - [unplanned costs (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/unplanned-costs) - [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 ## ["We're a Family Here" — And Nobody Believes You](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/were-a-family-here-and-nobody-believes-you) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on July 31, 2026 [![](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/were%20family.jpg?width=900&name=were%20family.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/were-a-family-here-and-nobody-believes-you) Almost every operation has said it at some point. It's probably on a poster in the break room. It gets implied in the Monday meeting, in the safety huddle, in the onboarding package. We're like a family here. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/were-a-family-here-and-nobody-believes-you) ## [Your Supervisors Lost the Safety Meeting — Here's How to Get It Back](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/your-supervisors-lost-the-safety-meeting-heres-how-to-get-it-back) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on July 24, 2026 [![safety meeting script supervisor hope promotion](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Safety%20Meeting%20Script.jpg?width=900&name=Safety%20Meeting%20Script.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/your-supervisors-lost-the-safety-meeting-heres-how-to-get-it-back) If your safety meetings are falling apart - employees interrupting, side conversations, someone hijacking the agenda - you've probably already tried the obvious fix. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/your-supervisors-lost-the-safety-meeting-heres-how-to-get-it-back) ## [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) ## [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) ## [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) ## [How These Four Supervisor Pillars Help Build Safety Culture](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/how-these-four-supervisor-pillars-help-build-safety-culture) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on March 27, 2026 [![safety culture is built by supervisors, not programs](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%2020260327.jpg?width=900&name=Blog%2020260327.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/how-these-four-supervisor-pillars-help-build-safety-culture) The safety program doesn't build a safety culture. Only your supervisors can do that. And they can only do it when they have the right foundation. Here are the four pillars that make the difference. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/how-these-four-supervisor-pillars-help-build-safety-culture) ## [Are You Maintaining Your Equipment Better Than Your Supervisors?](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/are-you-maintaining-your-equipment-better-than-your-supervisors) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on February 27, 2026 [![Are You Maintaining Your Equipment Better Than Your Supervisors?](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%2020260227.jpg?width=900&name=Blog%2020260227.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/are-you-maintaining-your-equipment-better-than-your-supervisors) Your company has a detailed plan for maintaining every piece of equipment on your floor. You schedule it, budget for it, and treat it like a non-negotiable. But the people who oversee the operation of that equipment? They get nothing. Here's why that has to change — and what it costs you every single day that it doesn't. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/are-you-maintaining-your-equipment-better-than-your-supervisors) ## [5 Things Supervisors Need From Their Employers to Succeed](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/5-things-supervisors-need-from-their-employers-to-succeed) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on February 13, 2026 [![](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%2020260213.jpg?width=900&name=Blog%2020260213.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/5-things-supervisors-need-from-their-employers-to-succeed) Frontline supervisors want to succeed — but they can't do it without their employer. Here are five things your supervisors actually need from you to build stronger teams, better safety culture, and more consistent production. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/5-things-supervisors-need-from-their-employers-to-succeed) [Previous](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/kevin-burns/page/1) [All posts](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/all) [Next](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/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](https://www.kevburns.com/about-kevin-burns) - [Supervisor Academy](https://www.kevburns.com/supervisors) - [Blog](https://www.kevburns.com/blog) #### © 2026 PeopleWork Align Inc. 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