BONUS: The Power of TWI in Transforming Supervisory Skills and Software Leadership With Hugh Alley

In this BONUS episode, we delve into how Training Within Industry (TWI) principles can revolutionize leadership and supervision, and those principles can be adapted to the software industry. Hugh Alley, industrial engineer, author of The TWI Memory Jogger, and seasoned consultant, brings invaluable insights on how adapting these timeless methods can enhance team cohesion, productivity, and job satisfaction.

From Toxic Workplaces to Transformative Solutions

"When I first saw supervisors shouting in the workplace, I knew there had to be a better way."
Hugh's journey began in the high-stress world of manufacturing where ineffective leadership was the norm. His turning point came when he discovered TWI, which shifted a company from zero employee suggestions to implementing 2-3 improvements per week. He shares the importance of recognizing poor patterns and seeking practical solutions that lead to lasting change.

"A key insight? The power of TWI isn't just in theory; it creates immediate, real-world results."

The Historic Power of TWI: Lessons from World-War II

"We learned that repetition is essential for true skill mastery."
Hugh recounts the origins of TWI during WWII when the U.S. War Manpower Commission had to quickly upskill the workforce and develop leaders. He highlights the drastic improvement in training time for complex tasks, such as lens grinding, reduced from five years to just five days. This approach emphasized breaking tasks into micro-skills and practicing them repeatedly.

"The secret to learning is practice—not just once, but deliberately and consistently."

Core Managerial Responsibilities: Mission and People

"If you don’t look after your people, they’ll leave."
Hugh elaborates on two often-overlooked managerial duties: achieving the mission and caring for the team. In software projects, where meeting deadlines becomes paramount, leaders may overlook their teams' well-being. He shares a case where training in TWI’s Job Relations (JR) module reduced turnover from 60% to 10%, proving that attention to people directly impacts results.

"Feedback isn’t optional—it’s the backbone of a motivated team."

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