Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast Keeping Maintenance Crews Engaged, Safe, and Production-Ready During the Holidays (Ask A Plant Manager)
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Dec 4, 2025 Joe Kuhn, former plant manager and global reliability consultant, shares his expertise on keeping maintenance crews motivated during the holiday season. He emphasizes the importance of balancing year-end celebrations with planning for the future. Joe discusses methods to energize teams, including recognition of achievements and encouraging leadership presence on the shop floor. He also highlights the safety risks increased by holiday distractions and playfully explores whether Santa's workshop can serve as a model for reliability and maintenance best practices.
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Be Visible On The Shop Floor
- Be present on the shop floor during holidays and spend one-on-one time with crews to boost morale and focus.
- Schedule leadership coverage so a manager visits daily to thank people and discuss work, not to do emails.
Leadership-Cooked Steak Nights
- Joe's favorite holiday celebration was leadership-cooked steak nights with baked potatoes, which delivered huge morale value.
- He also occasionally gave out turkey or ham coupons but found meals most effective.
Celebrate With Meals And Recognition
- Celebrate wins with simple, meaningful gestures like shared meals or catered events to maximize morale value.
- Use public recognition and internal communications to highlight specific maintenance achievements and team photos.