Sara Jenkins, Makita UK: Leader in the Making

In recognition of her positive attitude and determination to succeed, Sara Jenkins of Makita UK has been awarded a Special Commendation.

Sara has been a part of Makita UK since March 2021, initially serving as a supervisor for a small team. Despite already possessing some leadership skills, she was keen to learn more and develop new abilities to enhance her own performance and that of her team. She chose to enrol in the Team Leader Supervisor programme as part of Makita’s training partnership with Intec.

Sara’s passion for learning and creativity really shone through, making her a driving force for improvement in her department, which is why she has received this Special Commendation this year.

The course has provided Sara with frameworks to support her team: “I have learnt to regularly check in with my team, officially, not just in passing or at their desks, and take notes from this. This nurtures the team, ensuring they feel that I am looking out for them and supporting them in their work and personal lives if needed. I have learned a lot about myself using the very informative worksheets. The Wheel of Life and Emotional Intelligence worksheets helped me understand who I am in writing and brought me confidence.”

Her line manager, Tony Coleman, has seen her confidence skyrocket: “Initially, Sara was less confident in her role but was always open to learning and understanding new ideas. She has developed her skills and knowledge and is always looking for better ways to complete a task. Her standard of work is exceptionally high, which is reflected in her team as she looks to coach and mentor others. This will help drive a high standard of quality, efficiency, and consistency within our business, helping us meet customer expectations.”

Managing people comes with a unique set of challenges, and Sara has navigated these successfully while working towards her programme goals. This demonstrates huge resilience, which deserves to be celebrated.

Sara’s tutor, Carrie McMaster, noted that she was not deterred by challenging situations: “Throughout her time on the programme, she has faced continuous issues that have consumed a lot of her time. However, this has not stopped Sara or her determination to succeed in her course aims. What has been fantastic is how Sara applies, discusses, and shares what she has gained in her sessions, helping her manage both herself and her team. She is not afraid to try new things and will evaluate the success or otherwise of her great ideas, which supports continuous improvement.”

Congratulations, Sara!