Safety Knights

Eh, just be a jerk. Be a man. 🤣

Don’t know if this will help, and maybe it doesn’t even need to be said: the old advice, “Don’t come to management with a problem unless you also have a solution(s).” If you can prove, with evidence, that a proposed solution will work to correct a problem, maybe you can be more confident in bringing up the issue.

Less helpful, I think, is what has given me more confidence since i was 16 years old, “Fake it til you make it.” There’s less faking as the years go on, and more evidence based solutions. Best of luck!!

I guess I grew up in a foundry as a supervisor! I learned very quickly how to be assertive! Did not teach me that at Michigan State in all those Management and Industrial Pych classes! If I could not have gotten things done when I needed to, I would not have lasted very long! My superiors were for the most part all former GM Central Foundryman for many years, and most of those had been in the 82nd Airborne together. I got asserted on very often! After that experience my problem was not being assertive enough, but to much! But over the years this is what I have learned:
#1 Be Confident! NOT cocky, but comfortable with who you are and what has to be done! Stay in control and don't let emotions get involved.
#2 If you have the time, ASK first, and then explain at least partially why you need something done!
#3 Earn Trust. Show and act that there is nothing more important than the Team!
#4 Trust is used when there are a few times when there is no time and you need something done immediately.
#5 Do what you say you will do! If you are the supervisor you do not have to be a jerk, but you are not a friend either! AS big Johnny use to tell me, "Be friendly, but not FRIENDS!" He also use to say, "Fire (terminate or discipline) the behavior, not the person!" That one has always stuck with me!
#6 Thank your people and show you appreciate them and their efforts. A simple "Thanks" can go a long ways!
#7 Do not surprise people! No none should ever be surprised because they are getting a bad review, or even being counseled or disciplined! That one I only learned in the last half of my career, wish I would have realized it sooner!

My perspective is as a supervisor to a subordinate. There are many more tricks of the trade you learn over time!
If you are not an Alpha do not even think about being a Foundry Boss!

You could start by insulting and then slapping everyone in your office or job site. After getting your butt whipped a couple of times you’ll understand what is too assertive. Then you tame it down until find middle ground. LOL