At Exactaform, we believe in recognising and celebrating the hard work, expertise, and dedication of our team. Our Champion programme is designed to inspire leadership and reward excellence, the programme allows our engineers to take their first step onto the management pathway while driving innovation and collaboration within their teams.
Champions are skilled team members who act as seniors in their respective areas on the shop floor. While they’re not managers, they play a key role in supporting their teams, maintaining quality, and boosting morale.
At Exactaform, we’ve created a structure that enables clear communication and shared leadership responsibilities on the shop floor. This structure includes Managers, Champions and Technicians with Champions representing the first step on the management pathway. Champions bridge the gap between team members and leadership, empowering their colleagues and contributing to a culture of collaboration and success.
We created the Champion programme to:
Champions are spotted by their line managers and our Operations Director, Ricki. Individuals who demonstrate exceptional performance, a commitment to their role, and an ability to lead are identified as potential Champions. Once nominated, they undergo a six-week training programme to develop the skills needed for the role, ensuring they’re equipped to take on added responsibilities.
The perks of becoming a Champion include:
We currently have three Champion roles available, with another 3 being trained in January:
“Having spent decades in the engineering and manufacturing sector, I’ve seen far too many failed promotions. Often, we take highly skilled subject matter experts who excel in their roles and, instead of recognising their talent in a meaningful way, we promote them to managers without proper preparation.
A perfect example from a previous company was a talented welder whose work was far superior to anyone else’s. His attention to detail, quality, and output were exceptional. However, when we promoted him to team leader without providing him with the tools to manage or lead effectively, we turned a high performer into a struggling one. This same mistake kept repeating, regardless of the company or the people involved.
That’s when I introduced what I call the ‘brick effect.’ To train, coach, and mentor budding leaders, the onus is on the leaders who promote them to ensure their success. This is why the Champions Programme was created. The goal is to equip subject matter experts with the tools, techniques, and disciplines needed to manage teams effectively.
The six-week programme serves as a first step on the leadership and management ladder, providing a safe space for potential learners to explore whether they want to pursue a management career.
The next six-week course begins in January and includes the following champion roles:
Each of them have been selected for their expertise and their desire to build a career, not just perform a job.”