The single most important thing manufacturing leaders can do to engage their employees is to share the ‘why’ behind their daily work, says Kathleen Skarvan, CEO at New Prague, MN-based Electromed—Quality’s 2021 Plant of the Year.

“I was once told that a consultant is someone who is hired to go around and ask the employees questions. They write down all the answers and make a presentation to management and are perceived as brilliant,” Skarvan says. “Save your money. Ask your employees directly and get them involved.”