Name: AJ Gounder
Company: Danone Nutricia
Role: Night Shift Lead
She worked her way up from a Process Operator at the Auckland site of Danone Nutricia. Now AJ Gounder is the Line Shift Lead for the night shift team.
AJ has always been the first to jump on learning opportunities, and the Upskills Danone Leadership Programme was no exception. She talks us through her journey and some of the learning highlights.
Improved communication
The leadership course brought together individuals from various departments, which meant a better understanding of the needs of each department within the busy infant milk formula site.
“Communication between departments became really clear,” AJ recalls. “We knew where they were coming from, what we needed, and what they required. This clear communication created a balance and reduced downtime, making everyone’s job easier.”
Continuous improvement culture
One of the standout moments for AJ was the leadership session on fostering a growth mindset. It’s a concept she’s been pleased to share with her team:
“It’s been just six months, and already I see operators coming to me with suggestions on how to improve our work system,” AJ shares. “They are more proactive, engaged, and willing to provide feedback. This has created a positive ripple effect, fostering a culture of safety and trust within the team.”
Fostering a safe environment for feedback
AJ’s commitment to feedback and communication has been a core part of her leadership approach. She explains how the course helped her to grow this strength.
“I have worked on being more polite and structured in my feedback,” says AJ. “Feedback holds a lot of value because operators want to know where they go wrong and how to improve.”
The team has noticed a step up in AJ’s leadership, too, and they now feel more comfortable approaching her with questions and suggestions.
“We are all together in this,” AJ emphasizes. “No one is bigger or smaller; we are all on the same level.”
Learning rewards
AJ’s journey at Danone Nutricia is a good example of lifelong learning in action. Deservedly, her efforts have been rewarded as she achieved the NZ Certificate in Business (Team Leadership).
The leadership programme was delivered with the support of the Tertiary Education Commission’s Workplace Literacy & Numeracy Fund in partnership with Upskills and Te Pukenga Service IQ.
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