Building Stronger Teams Through Strengths-Based Development
Plasman is proud to celebrate the successful launch of the Life Orientations (LIFO) program across our Canadian operations, marking an important milestone in our commitment to developing our people and strengthening how we work together.
Since its introduction in May, over 200 team members across Canada have participated in LIFO training. This strong engagement reflects both the enthusiasm of our teams and the relevance of this initiative to our day-to-day work and long-term success.
Led by Roger Lauzon, Global HR Leader and LIFO Practitioner, nine full-day Introduction to Life Orientations sessions were delivered throughout May and June. This highly practical, action-oriented workshop represents a meaningful investment in our collective growth. More than just training, LIFO introduces a new way of understanding ourselves and each other, providing a practical system to improve how we work together, one strength at a time!
Plasman + LIFO: Strength in Action
The Life Orientations method is an applied behavioral science that transcends cultural and language barriers. Recognized globally, it has supported more than nine million people across 20,000 organizations.
“We are proud to bring that level of world-class insight to the Plasman team,” explained Mark Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer, Plasman. “At Plasman, our strength has always been our people. As we continue to grow and evolve, one of our key priorities is ensuring we equip our teams with the tools and insights needed to work more effectively together, strengthen relationships, and deliver strong results—both individually and collectively. LIFO is a powerful program that will play an important role in how we continue to build our culture and develop our talented team.”
At its core, LIFO is a strength-based approach. While many programs focus on addressing gaps, LIFO focuses on behavior and strengths—what you do and how to use those strengths more effectively. By recognizing individual strengths and appreciating diverse perspectives, LIFO fosters stronger relationships and a more cohesive, high-performing work environment by promoting adaptability, versatility, and alignment between intentions and behaviors.
Each participant begins their journey by completing a LIFO assessment to identify their preferred behavioral style. These orientations provide a ‘game plan’ shaped by values, goals, and strengths. By understanding these philosophies, team members gain self-awareness, team synergy, and leadership impact.
Beyond identifying behavioral styles, the workshop introduces and guides participants through Six LIFO Performance Strategies, equipping participants to apply their strengths more effectively, both in favorable and unfavorable conditions.
A Strong Start with Positive Feedback
The response to LIFO has been overwhelmingly positive. Participants consistently report that the experience has helped them:
- Build greater self-awareness of their strengths
- Understand how moods influence behavior, communication, and outcomes
- Gain insight into how others think, communicate, and respond
- Apply practical strategies to improve collaboration
- Navigate both positive and challenging situations more effectively
“Overall, I found the training to be highly informative and interactive,” said Akhila Barla, Quality Manager, Tilbury Manufacturing. “The session provided valuable insights into identifying our working styles and behaviors in both stress and non-stress situations. I especially liked the Mood Meter concept, as it helped increase self-awareness and better understand how emotions can influence communication, decision-making, and workplace interactions. The training was engaging and offered practical tools that can be applied in everyday professional situations.”
Vlada Jovanovic, Production Manager, Tecumseh Manufacturing, shared his post-workshop insights: “As a Production Manager, effective communication, collaboration, and team engagement are critical to achieving our operations goals and KPIs. I look forward to applying the LIFO principles to strengthen relationships, support my team’s development, and continue driving positive results on the production floor.”
Regarding his LIFO journey, Sean Borrowman, VP of HR, North America, Plasman, had this to add upon completing the introductory workshop: “It takes many different personalities and viewpoints to truly get the best result in any given situation. LIFO is centered on how each individual’s strengths contribute to our organization and informs the participants on how to capitalize on their strengths while moderating excesses. Practical and highly relevant in our professional and personal lives, LIFO is a truly valuable personal investment.”
Building on the Momentum – Advancing Plasman Through LIFO
“LIFO was a valuable experience because it brought together salary staff from across the Canadian plants and from all levels of the organization,” added John Planting, General Manager, Tecumseh & Tilbury Manufacturing. “I appreciated how the training helped build self-awareness and gave better insight into working with people who have different communication styles and strengths.”
The strong participation and positive feedback across Canada represent an important first step. As we continue integrating LIFO into Plasman, we will expand sessions to additional salaried team members and reinforce learning through ongoing application and discussion with a commitment to incorporating LIFO into everyday leadership, team, and individual interactions.
“Looking ahead, the successful launch of LIFO across Canada is an important milestone, but more importantly, it is a foundation for our future at Plasman,” Roger added. “By fully embedding LIFO into our culture, we are positioning Plasman to be even more connected, effective, and successful.”
By embracing LIFO, we are taking another step forward in building a stronger culture rooted in respect, understanding, and performance.
Together, we are not just learning LIFO—we are living it.
About Plasman
Plasman is a leading global manufacturer in bumpers-fascias, grilles, exterior trim, and subsystem components. As One Driving Force™, our diverse team of talented employees in 10 countries is driven by a commitment to outperform in all areas from engineering design to state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. Plasman’s headquarters are in Oldcastle, Ontario. Further information about Plasman is available at Plasman.com or follow us on LinkedIn.