Articles & Insights

The Blue Collar University® Blog

Practical insights on leadership, management skills, communication, safety, and workforce development — written for blue-collar supervisors and managers at every level.

LeadershipManagementCommunicationSafetyCareer Advice

Manager building trust with a team in a workplace setting

The Myth of Fear

Develop trust within your team and fear is easier to deal with. The myth of fear is that there are only two options — fight or flight. There is a third: think.

BehaviorDecision Making

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Bart Gragg — Blue Collar University®

Blue collar supervisor reflecting on their role and purpose at work

Career AdviceLeadershipEmployee Development+1 more

Why Does Your Job Exist?

Have you ever stopped to think about why your job exists? Why the company hired you? The bottom line is that your job exists to make or save money — and understanding that changes everything.

CredibilityLeadershipProductivity

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Bart Gragg — Blue Collar University®

Coach mentoring a struggling manager in a professional setting

LeadershipManagement TrainingEmployee Development+1 more

How Do You Know What a Manager or Supervisor Needs Help With to Be Successful? (Part 1)

When you see a manager or supervisor struggling, start here. Figuring out how to help a struggling manager is different from helping a tradesperson — here's the first step.

Failing ManagerHelping Managers

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Bart Gragg — Blue Collar University®

Professional reviewing written documentation at a desk

CommunicationCareer AdviceManagement Training+1 more

3 Report Writing Mistakes That Make You Look Unprofessional and How to Fix Them

Reports are a reflection of your credibility. Credibility is the top character trait you need to be successful as a business leader, manager, or supervisor.

CredibilityReport Writing

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Bart Gragg — Blue Collar University®

Manager dealing with workplace interruptions and distractions

LeadershipManagement TrainingPodcast

Why People Interrupt You at Work and How to Stop Them

Interruptions at work are far more costly to productivity than people realize. Research shows you lose up to half an hour getting back to your original task — every single time.

DisruptionProductivity

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Bart Gragg — Blue Collar University®

Team members in a training session discussing leadership and trust

BehaviorLeadershipManagement Training+1 more

Do You Know If Your Employees Feel Safe Enough to Tell the Truth?

"I might get fired for saying this, but I don't agree with you." Are you confident that your people feel safe enough to tell you the truth?

RespectTell the Truth

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Bart Gragg — Blue Collar University®

Leader reflecting on their personal story and professional growth

Career AdviceLeadershipEmployee Development+1 more

Everyone Has a Story — The Question Is…

Everyone has a story. I have a story, Michael has a story, and you have a story. If you are in a leadership position, people are talking about you. The question is — are they telling a story you want your family and friends to hear?

LeadershipMoraleMotivationRespect

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Bart Gragg — Blue Collar University®

Manager coaching an employee to improve their performance

Employee DevelopmentManagement TrainingPodcast

What's the One Thing That Will Improve Employee Performance?

Getting the best out of people isn't a goal — it's a result. It's the result of working together observing, asking, listening, coaching, and mentoring.

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Bart Gragg — Blue Collar University®

Business leader reviewing a strategic plan and making decisions

PlanningDecision Making

Strategic vs. Tactical Decisions — ROI in Writing a Business Plan (Pt. 3)

Understanding, clarifying, and assigning strategic versus tactical decision making is key in business. Around 90% of leaders or managers are tactical and only about 10% are strategic — but we can teach and learn the difference.

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Bart Gragg — Blue Collar University®

Managers cross-training and learning from different roles in the workplace

Decision MakingManagement Training

Why Does Cross-Training Managers and Supervisors Matter?

Good managers make good decisions, and good decisions are made with a broader and deeper set of experiences. Cross-training is how you build that foundation.

Cross Training

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Bart Gragg — Blue Collar University®

Manager showing respect and recognition to an employee

LeadershipManagement Training

One More Thing You Should Never Do as a Manager

One more thing you should never do as a manager — or in any capacity for that matter. Never make an employee feel irrelevant.

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Bart Gragg — Blue Collar University®

Safety professional in a blue collar industrial workplace

Safety CultureLeadership

The First Thing You Need to Know About Safety…

If you ask any six safety professionals what the primary thing you need to know about safety is, you'll get nine answers. The first thing you need to know? The idea and profession of safety exist because you can get hurt.

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Bart Gragg — Blue Collar University®

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