Suggestion and Recognition – Supervisor Guide
Your role is critical. Adoption happens on the shop floor. If supervisors use the system consistently, teams will follow.
Your Responsibilities
Encourage practical improvement ideas from your team.
Send meaningful recognition regularly.
Support and follow up on suggestions affecting your area.
Reinforce participation during shift briefings.
Ensure accepted ideas are implemented and communicated.
Weekly Actions
During team meetings or shift start-ups:
Mention one recent recognition.
Ask if anyone has identified an improvement.
Provide a brief update on suggestions in progress.
Reinforce that improvement and recognition are part of everyday work.
Keep it short and consistent.
What Good Looks Like
Good suggestions:
Solve a clear operational problem.
Offer a practical solution.
Estimate impact such as time, safety, quality, or cost.
Good recognition:
Describes the action.
Explains the impact.
Reinforces safety, teamwork, quality, or efficiency.
Avoid generic praise. Be specific.
Focus Areas in Manufacturing
Encourage ideas linked to:
Safety improvements
Waste reduction
Downtime reduction
Quality improvement
Energy or cost savings
Support team members in shaping ideas if needed.
Recognition Expectations
Encourage at least one recognition per person per month.
Promote cross-team recognition.
Monitor participation informally within your team.
Lead by example.
Follow-Through
When a suggestion is accepted:
Assign responsibility.
Set realistic timelines.
Update the team on progress.
Confirm when implemented.
Close the loop visibly.
What Success Looks Like
Most team members participate in recognition.
Suggestions are practical and relevant.
Ideas are implemented and discussed.
Contribution becomes part of normal performance conversations.
Consistency drives impact.