--- title: Kevin Burns Blog | PeopleWork Supervisor Academy description: PeopleWork Supervisor Academy | Tools and strategies to build supervisor leadership, clarify the safety message, and get employee buy-in. --- Kevin Burns Blog | PeopleWork Supervisor Academy [![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 (137)](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) - [PeopleWork Supervisor Academy (58)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/peoplework-supervisor-academy) - [safety communications (58)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/safety-communications) - [supervisor leadership (57)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/supervisor-leadership) - [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 (27)](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 (18)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-engagement) - [frontline supervisors (15)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-supervisors) - [hope promotion (15)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/hope-promotion) - [Employee Retention (14)](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) - [Workplace Safety (11)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/workplace-safety) - [Business ROI (10)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/business-roi) - [CareFull Supervisor (10)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/carefull-supervisor) - [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) - [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 (5)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/operations-management) - [frontline supervisor training (3)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-supervisor-training) - [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) - [employee turnover (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/employee-turnover) - [frontline management (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/frontline-management) - [industrial management (2)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/industrial-management) - [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) - [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) - [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) - [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) - [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) - [operations leadership (1)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/operations-leadership) - [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) - [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 ## [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) ## [Do Your Supervisors Make Your Company Better?](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/do-your-supervisors-make-your-company-better) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on October 2, 2026 [![the peter principle](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Peter%20Principle.jpg?width=900&name=Peter%20Principle.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/do-your-supervisors-make-your-company-better) Most senior managers have accepted the Peter Principle as an organizational law. Promoted to the level of incompetence — it happens every time, and there's nothing to be done about it. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/do-your-supervisors-make-your-company-better) ## [How to Solve Employee Turnover in 7 Words](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/how-to-solve-employee-turnover-in-7-words) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on September 25, 2026 [![7 words stop turnover](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/7-words-stop-turnover.jpg?width=900&name=7-words-stop-turnover.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/how-to-solve-employee-turnover-in-7-words) How many times have you discussed employee turnover in your monthly management meetings? Likely, HR brings the exit interview data. Operations defends their processes. Safety flags the uptick in the incident rate. Finance shows the replacement costs of turnover. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/how-to-solve-employee-turnover-in-7-words) ## [Your Company Is Like A Sports Team - But You Skimp on Coaching](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/your-company-is-like-a-sports-team) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on September 18, 2026 [![you skimp on coaching](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/You%20Skimp%20On%20Coaching.jpg?width=900&name=You%20Skimp%20On%20Coaching.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/your-company-is-like-a-sports-team) You wouldn't run a sports team without a coach. So why do you think you can run your industrial operation that way? Every sports franchise spends big money on scouting, medical, equipment, and facilities. They want to find the best players, give them the best development, give them the best care, and let them play in the best facilities. And then they go out spend a huge amount on coaching — because that's the investment that makes everything else pay off. Your company has the equivalent of every one of those departments. HR is your scouting department. Safety is your medical sciences team. Maintenance looks after the gear. And your frontline supervisors ARE your coaching staff. So, why treat that budget like an afterthought? When you take your best player (employee), make them a supervisor overnight, and 'hope' they figure out the people part — that's a Hope Promotion. They're going to struggle. And you're going to lose while they do. Expect it. The best players want to play for the best teams. The best employees want to work for the best companies. The best companies in your industry have the best frontline supervisors. Let me show you what I mean. Watch the video. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/your-company-is-like-a-sports-team) ## [Stop Making Safety Posters. Your Supervisor IS the Message.](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/build-supervisors-not-posters) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on September 11, 2026 [![build supervisors not posters](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Build%20Supervisors%20Not%20Posters.jpg?width=900&name=Build%20Supervisors%20Not%20Posters.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/build-supervisors-not-posters) There's a proliferation of safety posters and safety-related infographics making their rounds on LinkedIn recently. Clearly, safety people have figured out how to make more AI-generated materials. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/build-supervisors-not-posters) ## [Managing 12 Industrial Problems When One Decision Fixes Them All?](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/managing-12-industrial-problems-when-one-decision-fixes-them-all) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on September 4, 2026 [![12 problems one supervisor](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/12-1-1.jpg?width=900&name=12-1-1.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/managing-12-industrial-problems-when-one-decision-fixes-them-all) Turnover. Absenteeism. Rework. Near misses. Grievances. Quality issues. Up to 12 important metrics that matter to your success. And there are problems with every one of them at some point. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/managing-12-industrial-problems-when-one-decision-fixes-them-all) ## [The 3 Conditions to Create A World-Class Safety Program](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/the-3-conditions-to-create-a-world-class-safety-program) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on August 28, 2026 [![world class safety](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/World-Class-Safety-thumb.jpg?width=900&name=World-Class-Safety-thumb.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/the-3-conditions-to-create-a-world-class-safety-program) A safety manager asked me this week: "How would you create a world-class safety program?" I have to admit I was both excited and daunted by the question. Excited because this is exactly the kind of thinking that separates exceptional operations from average ones. Daunted because safety managers rarely get to think this way. They're too busy administering the program they already have. [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/the-3-conditions-to-create-a-world-class-safety-program) ## [Why a $50K CEO Coach Is 'Worth It,' But $50K for 100 Supervisors Isn't?](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/why-a-50k-ceo-coach-is-worth-it) Posted by [Kevin Burns](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/author/kevin-burns) on August 21, 2026 [![is spending $50K on a CEO coach worth more than $50K on frontline supervisors](https://www.kevburns.com/hs-fs/hubfs/worth-it-thumb.jpg?width=900&name=worth-it-thumb.jpg)](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/why-a-50k-ceo-coach-is-worth-it) You'll approve $50,000 for a CEO executive coach without blinking. The same $50,000 could develop 100 frontline supervisors with the people and leadership skills they need to be successful. So why doesn't it? [Read More](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/why-a-50k-ceo-coach-is-worth-it) ## [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) [All posts](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/all) [Next](https://www.kevburns.com/blog/topic/peoplework-supervisor-academy/page/2) ### 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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