3M Chem Ops
New Leader Program
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RESOURCES
Why You Say Yes When You Shouldn’t — And How To Say No When It Matters Most with Dr. Sunita Sah
Dr. Sunita Sah started her career as a physician but then switched over to organizational psychology. At Cornell, she conducts research on influence, authority, compliance, and defiance.
Elements of the conversation include:
How Dr. Sah defines defiance
The costs of compliance
The five stages of defiance
How to make defiance a practice
The upside of tension
The importance of knowing your values — how to articulate them, and how this relates to our biology.
“Partner-Centered Leadership in Safety” by Richard N. Knowles (Professional Safety, January 2020)
Richard N. Knowles examines the difference between managing safety and leading safety, introducing the idea of partner-centered leadership. Instead of focusing only on systems and control, this approach builds on trust, respect, open communication, and daily engagement. He shares how tools like the Process Enneagram and regular conversations can close the gap between how work is planned and how it’s actually done. Drawing on his experience at DuPont’s Belle plant, Knowles shows how this style of leadership not only improved safety but also led to higher productivity and stronger results.
“How Frontline Leaders Can Improve Employee Experience” by PwC (2024)
This article looks at the everyday influence frontline leaders have on hourly manufacturing employees. While better pay helps, the research shows that lasting engagement comes from leaders who can communicate clearly, build trust, and use technology effectively. Many supervisors don’t yet have enough support in these areas, and PwC points out that training and development are often limited or inconsistent. Strengthening these skills gives frontline leaders the tools to reduce turnover, improve morale, and create a stronger workplace culture.
Use this worksheet to clarify your top 3 goals and boost your motivation by exploring what drives you to take action.
Learn about how Emotional Intelligence and Leadership overlap.
Authentic Leadership Rediscovered
This Harvard Business School article explores how authentic leadership, grounded in self-awareness, transparency, and lived values, builds trust, resilience, and meaningful leadership impact.
CCL explains how skills like communication, self-awareness, and resilience matter at every step of leadership. As responsibilities grow, so does the need for influence, vision, and the ability to guide others. The piece also offers practical ways to help leaders strengthen these abilities.
“Case: Safety & Quality in Chemical Manufacturing” by Six Seconds (2013)
At a U.S. chemical plant with high levels of disengagement, leaders partnered with Six Seconds to better understand employee concerns and rebuild trust. Using surveys, interviews, and a focus on motivation, they created a shared vision that emphasized autonomy, connection, and competence. The effort paid off with major results: disengagement dropped by 91%, production quality rose 167%, and safety incidents fell by 83%.
Many chemical companies see innovation as important, but it often gets left to R&D instead of being part of daily leadership. The article explains that leaders can make a difference by listening to new ideas, supporting smart risks, and giving credit to people who try better ways of working. For new leaders, the lesson is straightforward: innovation starts small, with everyday choices that make your team feel safe to speak up and experiment.