Every year, the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) celebrates “the most innovative, game-changing, groundbreaking, cutting edge products and leaders” in the Michigan manufacturing industry. This year, TSS’ Chief Human Resources Officer Christine Sermak is honored with the MMA’s Talent Champion award.
The Talent Champion award “recognizes those who bring focus to the critical need to attract Michigan’s next generation workforce to the industry’s variety of career options.” After joining the TSS team in 2022, Christine has not only brought talent development into focus, but paved the way for TSS to reimagine what it means to foster relationships and professional development in the manufacturing world.
Christine Uses Unique Perspective to Solve Complex Organizational Challenges
TSS was ready to evolve and grow their team. However, they needed to have a more structured approach to developing internal talent and integrating the EOS framework. TSS Founder and CEO Jim Richards is a strong believer in looking outside of himself whenever he’s faced with a problem he can’t quite solve. So, Jim approached Christine about joining the team because he knew TSS needed an influence that was different from their current point of view.
Before joining TSS, Christine had just retired from a nearly 30-year career in the education world, where she served as a teacher, coach, and administrator at the high school and middle school levels. Her approach to talent development uses many of the same tools and perspectives she used with students, teachers, and other stakeholders. From Christine’s point of view as an educator, every individual can achieve their goals, as long as they have the right resources and support. Everyone has potential and everyone deserves to be met where they are—even if that means doing things a little bit differently.
With this outside-the-manufacturing-box thinking, in combination with the EOS framework, Christine has made an extraordinary impact at TSS. We couldn’t be more proud to have the MMA recognize this impact, too.
Offering Tools to Grow by Creating TSS University
Christine created TSS University (TSSU), our internal school that offers a variety of courses focusing on the history of the company, leadership and management skill sets, EOS, and emotional intelligence and communication, to name a few. Courses are designed to be inclusive of employees at every level of the organization, including people on the production floor who would not have been included in these kinds of training and courses before. Participating employees attend a TSSU course or series of courses and even receive certificates after graduating.
Most recently, Christine created a self-guided book club for employees such as installers, who are out in the field and would not otherwise have access to the in-person training offered during the day.
Developing Internal Talent to Improve Organization
When Jim needed to restructure the production floor, he worked with Christine to develop different options. They identified the need for team leads—individuals TSS decided to hire from within. Her perspective guided this strategic choice: don’t hire externally if you haven’t given internal people the tools and the chances to be successful.
To prepare prospective talent, Christine developed and taught a Leadership, Management, and Accountability (LMA) course. This course helped first-time managers develop a greater understanding of the organization and vision, learn strategies to effectively manage people, and build confidence. After completing this TSSU course (with sessions taking place over several months), four individual contributors on the production floor applied for the open positions and were promoted.
Mentoring Others, Paying it Forward, and Getting Stronger Together
Christine sees mentorship as a ripple effect. One pebble tossed in a pond can have an endless impact.
“If Jim hadn’t seen the value in an outside perspective or my potential, it wouldn’t have mattered how good I was,” Christine says. “A talent champion still needs a talent champion.” Jim focused on coaching Christine to ensure she was able to be effective in her role. This initial investment laid the groundwork for success for both Christine and the organization.
Christine is committed to supporting the same success and growth for the rest of the TSS team. Participants complete surveys after every TSSU course, highlighting what spoke to them and what Christine can do to improve. This continuous improvement is essential, she explains. “It’s all cyclical and it all fits together.”
As a result, there are more open lines of communication at TSS. Conversations are more honest and direct and people are willing to speak up when they notice something that can be improved. Problem-solving is open and collaborative. Not only is there relational trust, but the deeper understanding and utilization of EOS gives the team a tool to all speak the same language.
Growth Requires Courage
From Christine’s perspective, “If you want to grow, you have to be courageous. You have to get outside of your comfort zone.” It’s advice she’s given students, athletes, TSS colleagues, and now, herself.
“I always wanted to be a teacher. Teaching and coaching were very much my comfort zone. Coming to TSS was me stepping outside of my comfort zone,” she says. “It’s been the most rewarding experience in a way I didn’t expect. I’m most proud of myself because when I got here, I said 'I'm not going to fail. I’m going to ask for feedback and learn.’”
Two years later, Christine is still learning, having courageous conversations, and encouraging others to do the same. This illustrates one of the tenets of her approach: you don’t need a certain background to be successful in the manufacturing industry. You just need transferable skills, a growth mindset, and someone who believes in you.
“It’s Ok to Have Diverse Perspectives”
Christine’s influence on TSS is something we couldn’t be more excited and grateful to share with the manufacturing community. The one thing she wants other organizations to know? It’s ok to break the mold every once in a while.
“I wish they knew that it’s ok to have diverse perspectives,” she says. “This goes back to the hiring process. It would be easy to hire like-minded people. We want to be with people who are like us. It’s easy, it’s harmonious, and it applies in any realm. But it’s the diversity in thinking that pushes us out of our comfort zones, and that has the possibility of reaping the greatest rewards.”
Talent Thrives at TSS
We’re so grateful and humbled to be part of Christine’s career journey and for the impact she’s had on our team. To learn more about growing at TSS, please visit our careers page. We’re always excited to speak with passionate professionals and look forward to connecting with you!