Team Leadership 105

active listening

A method of listening that involves receiving, deciphering, and interpreting a verbal message without interrupting the speaker. Active listening encompasses absorbing a message, understanding context, and responding to signal that understanding.

authoritarian

Strictly enforcing obedience to authority over flexibility or freedom of choice. Authoritarian leaders may seem to distrust their team members and cause team members to feel undervalued.

autonomously

Existing independently. Autonomously functioning teams are able to perform tasks with little to no oversight from management.

brainstorming

An activity in which an individual or group rapidly lists ideas in order to identify possible problem causes or solutions. Brainstorming is most effective when conducted by a diverse employee pool that can provide different perspectives.

breaker

A safety device that detects excess current to prevent overheating in a circuit. A circuit breaker often contains a bimetallic strip that bends and trips a switch to open a circuit.

burnout

A physical or mental state of exhaustion caused by overwork or overstress. Team members may experience burnout due to demanding work schedules.

camaraderie

A friendly feeling toward coworkers or other people with whom an individual shares an experience. Shared camaraderie with coworkers leads to a positive working environment.

circuit

A completely enclosed path of various devices that contains an electrical current. Circuits normally include a source, path, load, and control.

CNC

Computer numerical control. A self-contained system of computers and precise motors that executes program instructions to guide machine tool components and manufacture parts. CNC machines allow operators to program sequences of machining operations.

collaborate

To work together to accomplish a collective goal. When all members of a team collaborate, work is performed more efficiently and effectively.

collective goal

A shared objective that a group of individuals, often a team, works toward. In manufacturing, a collective goal frequently involves meeting a customer’s expectations.

cross-functional

Consisting of people with different areas of expertise who work together to achieve a similar goal. A cross-functional team includes members from departments like management, maintenance, production, and customer service.

current

The flow of electricity. Current strength is called amperage and is measured in amperes (A).

deburring

A finishing process that removes sharp projections left on a workpiece. Deburring ensures that a workpiece has smooth, flat edges.

deescalate

To reduce the intensity of a conflict. Team leaders should deescalate problems before they grow out of hand.

emotional intelligence

An individual’s ability to understand and regulate their emotions, as well as the emotions of others. Emotional intelligence allows an individual to clearly express how they feel and understand how others feel.

empathetic listening

A method of listening that involves understanding both the content of a message as well as the intent of the sender and the circumstances under which the message is given. Empathetic listening entails finding similarities between the speaker's experience and your own, so you can understand their perspective before forming a response.

empathy

The ability to sense the emotions of other people. Empathy involves imagining what someone else is thinking or feeling.

flexible

Able to easily adjust or adapt to different situations or circumstances. Flexible teams are able to quickly respond to changing customer needs.

foster

To encourage or promote development. Team leaders must foster positive team characteristics, including accountability, communication, and commitment to a goal.

fuses

A device with a metallic component that melts to open a circuit when it detects excess current. Fuses open the circuit and stop current flow to prevent overheating.

grade

A letter designation that describes the hardness of a material. The grade of an abrasive will be any letter from A to Z, where A is the softest and Z is the hardest.

grinders

A machine that uses an abrasive to remove material from the surface of a workpiece. Grinders commonly use abrasive grains bonded into a wheel shape to remove small amounts of material in order to improve surface finish.

grinding wheels

A disc made of a bonded abrasive used to remove material from a workpiece surface. Grinding wheels rotate and shear away microscopic chips of material and can produce very fine surface finishes.

hierarchical

Of or having to do with the arrangement of individuals in an organization according to their status and job function. Hierarchical positions in manufacturing may range from the owner or CEO of a company at the highest position down to entry-level machine operators.

human resources

HR. The department responsible for managing employee relations, benefits, and compliance with labor laws. Human resources plays a key role in addressing serious workplace issues.

hydraulic presses

A press that uses pressurized liquids to power the slide. A hydraulic press applies a large amount of pressure to a material in order to compress or mold it.

implementing

To put a proposed solution into practice. Solutions should be implemented on a wide scale once they are proven to solve a problem.

intangible

Not physical in nature. Intangible problems include resistance to change, communication barriers, and a lack of coordination between departments.

interpersonal conflict

A disagreement or clash between individuals. Interpersonal conflict can arise from differences in opinions, values, or work styles within a team.

interpersonal skills

Any skill related to an individual’s ability to communicate and work with others. Interpersonal skills involve demonstrating emotional intelligence and empathy.

laser cutting machines

A device that generates, focuses, concentrates, and delivers a laser beam to a workpiece. Laser cutting machines are generally faster and more precise than other cutting processes.

leads

A conductive device within a circuit to which other components can be attached. A lead has either a negative or positive charge.

liaison

An individual who establishes and maintains communication between two or more parties. The team leader acts as the primary liaison between the team, management, and other parts of an organization.

machinists

A person responsible for operating a machine to create a part. Machinists are also responsible for ensuring the machine performs its job correctly, efficiently, and safely.

maintenance technician

A person who performs tasks related to the upkeep of machines and equipment. Maintenance technicians monitor equipment and make repairs when necessary.

mutual accountability

A process through which two or more individuals hold each other accountable for commitments they have made. Mutual accountability is a necessary trait of team members.

nonverbal communication

Using cues via body language to convey message content. Nonverbal communication includes using facial expressions, body gestures, and voice intonation.

point of contact

A member of a group that acts as a liaison with other parties. The team leader is a team's point of contact with outside parties, including management.

positive reinforcement

Anything beneficial or encouraging that is presented after the occurrence of a behavior to increase the likelihood of that behavior occurring again. Positive reinforcement, such as rewards and recognition, is used to increase the chances of preferred behavior.

preventative maintenance

PM. A maintenance approach that involves performing regularly scheduled service and upkeep while a machine or system is still in working order. Preventative maintenance can prolong equipment life and increase production by preventing time-consuming breakdowns.

problem-solving skills

Any skill related to the ability to identify problems, brainstorm possible solutions, implement those solutions, and analyze their effectiveness. Problem-solving skills develop within a team over time.

quotas

A goal for the production of parts or products. Quotas are set by organizations to either allow the organization to meet customer demand or to limit the risk of overproduction.

reflect

To respond to a person by restating what you heard and understood to the best of your capabilities. Reflecting what a speaker said back to them clarifies how much of the intended message you understood correctly and brings awareness to any ideas that were misunderstood.

reframe

A communication strategy that involves describing an event or problem from a different perspective. When leaders reframe problems, it allows the involved parties to think about the issue from a different point of view.

schematic

An electrical print that uses symbols to represent all electrical components in a circuit. Schematics, also known as schematic diagrams, show the electrical relationships of all components but not their physical locations.

supplier

An organization that provides materials or parts to manufacturing companies. Suppliers pass products on to the manufacturer, where they are processed and then passed on to the customer.

tangible

Physical in nature. Tangible problems include equipment breakdowns, supply chain disruptions, and limited physical space.

team

A group of people who work together closely to accomplish a goal. In manufacturing, teams may be made up of members from a single department or of various members from multiple departments.

team leader

An individual who provides guidance, instruction, and leadership to the rest of a team. A team leader may serve as a liaison between members of a team and individuals outside that team.

technical skills

Any skill related to the use of an individual’s tools and equipment. Technical skills also include an individual’s ability to communicate those skills to others.

timeliness

A quality that describes something occurring at a favorable or opportune time. Timeliness involves meeting expected deadlines.

upskill

To train an individual in order to expand their skill set. Upskilling improves employee competence and leads to continuous improvement.

urgency

The feeling that something needs immediate attention or action. A strong sense of urgency can drive productivity but may also cause stress.

verbal communication

Using the spoken word as a medium to deliver a message. Verbal communication includes talking face-to-face, on a telephone, or as a speech.

VFD

Variable frequency drive. A device that converts incoming alternating current power into other desired frequencies. VFDs can be used to control the speed of alternating current motors.

visibility

Clear, open, and frequent communication of all contributions, achievements, problems, and challenges of a team. Visibility lets a team know whether their work is on or off track and that it is valued by other parts of an organization, in addition to ensuring that management is aware of project status.

waterjets

A pulsed laser that uses a high-pressure stream of water to aid in cutting. The stream of water in waterjet lasers acts as a coolant, removes molten material from the cut, and improves laser focus by guiding it through the water.

welders

A person who performs welding. Welders join pieces of metal together through the application of heat, pressure, or a combination of energy sources.

workflow

The series of activities that are necessary to complete a task. A workflow includes the sequence of industrial, administrative, and other steps necessary to produce a product or provide a service.

written communication

Any expression of ideas presented through the written word. Written communication involves text messages, emails, memos, letters, reports, and many other forms of text.