--- title: Kevin Burns Blog | people skills description: people skills | Tools and strategies to build supervisor leadership, clarify the safety message, and get employee buy-in. --- Kevin Burns Blog | people skills [![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 (139)](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 (66)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-training) - [PeopleWork Supervisor Academy (60)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/peoplework-supervisor-academy) - [safety speaker (60)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-speaker) - [safety marketing (59)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-marketing) - 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[hope promotion (18)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/hope-promotion) - [Employee Retention (16)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-retention) - [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) - [CareFull Supervisor (11)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/carefull-supervisor) - [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) - [people skills (9)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/people-skills) - [positive supervisor (9)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/positive-supervisor) - [industrial leadership (7)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/industrial-leadership) - [supervisor communications (6)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-communications) - [frontline leadership (5)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-leadership) - [industrial safety (5)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/industrial-safety) - [operations management (5)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/operations-management) - [employee turnover (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-turnover) - [frontline supervisor training (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-supervisor-training) - [manufacturing leadership (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/manufacturing-leadership) - [operational performance (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/operational-performance) - [operations leadership (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/operations-leadership) - [people-leading skills (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/people-leading-skills) - [team development (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/team-development) - [workforce stability (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workforce-stability) - [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) - [industrial management (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/industrial-management) - [kevburns (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/kevburns) - [plant manager (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/plant-manager) - [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) - [FOMU (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/fomu) - [FOMU cascade (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/fomu-cascade) - [absenteeism (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/absenteeism) - [analysis paralysis (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/analysis-paralysis) - [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) - [construction leadership (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/construction-leadership) - [core essentials (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/core-essentials) - [cost cutting (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/cost-cutting) - [crisis management (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/crisis-management) - [delegation (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/delegation) - [departmental budget cuts (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/departmental-budget-cuts) - [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 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) - [fear of messing up (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/fear-of-messing-up) - [ghosting (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/ghosting) - [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) - [leadership standardization (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/leadership-standardization) - [management meetings (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/management-meetings) - [mental health at work (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/mental-health-at-work) - [new employee no-shows (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/new-employee-no-shows) - [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) - [skilled trades (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/skilled-trades) - [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) - [why employees quit (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/why-employees-quit) - [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 ## [Should You Cut Departmental Budgets That Don't Fix Problems?](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/should-you-cut-departmental-budgets-that-dont-fix-problems) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 9, 2026 [![unplanned costs](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Unplanned%20Costs.jpg?width=900&name=Unplanned%20Costs.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/should-you-cut-departmental-budgets-that-dont-fix-problems) Every year, your departments line up with budget requests to fix their numbers. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/should-you-cut-departmental-budgets-that-dont-fix-problems) ## [One Thing Senior Managers Should Be Talking About But Are Afraid To](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/the-one-thing-senior-managers-wont-talk-about) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on August 14, 2026 [![the ](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20C-word.jpg?width=900&name=The%20C-word.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/the-one-thing-senior-managers-wont-talk-about) Seven out of eight people don't believe their employers care about them. That's not a soft number. That's the statistic that convinced the CEO of a $3.3 billion company to write a book about it. And the same problem is sitting inside your operation right now. Here's the part nobody in your industry talks about: the word "care" makes senior managers nervous. Say it in a safety meeting and watch the room tighten up. Suddenly everyone's worried they're going to have to look each other in the eyes and talk about their feelings. But you already feel it instantly when someone doesn't care. About you, about the work, about anything. It makes you bristle. So why are we pretending care has no place on the floor? In this week's video, I get into what care actually is. And it's not soft, it's not touchy-feely, and it's not optional. I also get into the three kinds of care every CareFull Supervisor brings to the job. And why the one kind that gets left out of every training program is the one that moves every metric you measure. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/the-one-thing-senior-managers-wont-talk-about) ## [Your New Supervisor Is the Loneliest Person in Your Operation](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/your-new-supervisor-is-the-loneliest-person-in-your-operation) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on August 7, 2026 [![your lonely supervisor](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/YourLonelySupervisor.jpg?width=900&name=YourLonelySupervisor.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/your-new-supervisor-is-the-loneliest-person-in-your-operation) There's a high cost of personal relationships you're asking a newly promoted supervisor to give up, but you're not compensating them for it. And it may be the one thing that costs you the most in productivity, safety, and engagement. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/your-new-supervisor-is-the-loneliest-person-in-your-operation) ## ["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) ## [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) ## [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) [All posts](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/all) ### 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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