Transitioning from a skilled technician to an effective maintenance supervisor requires mastering a distinct set of capabilities that extend well beyond technical expertise. It involves the "art" of leadership and people management. Peter will highlight the vital role of maintenance supervisors, and the unique challenges involved in this transition.  

Research consistently emphasises the importance of equipping engineers and technicians with strong people management skills – leadership, motivation, and team development. Effective supervisors are pivotal in shaping organisational culture, fostering ownership and pride, and driving buy-in for strategic reliability initiatives. They serve as a crucial link in translating complex asset management concepts into language that resonates across the organisation, including communicating risk and value to senior leadership and CFOs. Furthermore, they are essential in bridging the gap between maintenance and operations, aligning goals, and cultivating a reliability-driven mindset.  

Developing capabilities such as emotional intelligence (EQ), clear communication, and change management is fundamental. This session will outline the necessary transformation from excelling at asset fixing to excelling at leading people, driving performance, and influencing positive change throughout the business.