Mindfulness Manufacturing

Modern manufacturing leaders are currently facing unprecedented shifts, from tariffs and labor shortages to rapidly evolving new technologies. In the words of recent Mindfulness Manufacturing guest Cara Moeller Poppitt, manufacturing is seeing some “big freakin'' change!”  As the founder of two award-winning companies, Cara ranks among the top 2% of all female entrepreneurs. Through her speaking and coaching, she now guides thousands of other business leaders toward unlocking their full potential, breaking down barriers, and taking bold action to achieve their highest aspirations. She's also the author of the upcoming book Big Freakin' Change: How to Gain Confidence by Stepping Out Before You Are Ready. In this episode, Cara discusses some of the major changes impacting manufacturing leaders and their teams, plus shares her simple-yet-empowering process for getting unstuck, building momentum, and navigating big changes with confidence. 1:46 – Manufacturing (and business in general) is in a constant state of change 5:45 – If you're feeling stuck, it could be due to a lack of confidence 6:15 – To get unstuck, make the shift from problem-based thinking to possibility-orientated thinking 7:20 – The first step in shifting your thinking is recognizing when you and your teams are stuck 7:54 – You also need to learn to identify whether the root of your issue is behavior, financial, or relational 12:38 – Making small, daily improvements can help your team build momentum  13:08 – Define what success looks like for your team 14:48 – Use empowering questions to gain feedback and increase engagement  20:29 – Act boldly and drive change outside your comfort zone 22:42 – Don't forget to enjoy the journey and acknowledge small victories  Connect with Cara Poppitt: Visit her website Learn more about her book Connect on social media @CaraPoppitt

What does successful manufacturing leadership have in common with winning big at the casino? It's all about being an advantage player! In this episode, guest Joel Block breaks down the strategies you need to win big, whether you're at the casino or on the manufacturing floor. Joel is a former professional blackjack player, who later took his talents to Wall Street to work in venture capital and hedge funds. He's a dealmaker, strategist, and trusted advisor who helps others grow the mindset they need to outpace the competition and win the game. In this episode, Joel shares unique stories from his blackjack and Wall Street days. He also offers actionable insights manufacturing leaders can use to seek our success, inspire their teams, and position themselves as winners in the ever-changing world of manufacturing. 1:26 – There are many lessons from card games like blackjack that can be applied to business and manufacturing 2:58 – To succeed, learn how to Think, See, and Act (TSA) differently  4:40 – Many people stay busy without actually accomplishing meaningful work 5:00 – The difference between average performers and advantage players is that advantage players seek out and create opportunities  8:33 – All organizations can find ways to improve, even top-performing companies  11:50 – To change your strategy and find more success, schedule time to step back and gain perspective  12:15 – Use “high limit questions” to push thinking forward 15:51 – In business, advantage players learn how to anticipate workforce needs 18:37 – Everyone has a role to play when it comes to a team's success  20:07 – Motivate your team by making sure everyone is connected to a meaningful goal 21:20 – When you're successful, it lifts your business, family, and community  Connect with Joel Block Visit his website Connect by email at joel@theadvantageplayer.com  Subscribe to his newsletter

In manufacturing, many leaders try to use the same tools to address different problems. But just like a hammer won't work for all projects around your house, your routine leadership approach might not work for all your team members. This means you need to go “beyond the hammer” and find ways to have deeper interactions with your team. The hammer analogy comes from Beyond the Hammer: A Fresh Approach to Leadership, Culture, and Building High Performance Teams by Brian Gottleib. In this episode, Brian shares more about the lessons and insights in Beyond the Hammer, plus offers actionable insights manufacturing leaders can use to grow their relationships, create deeper connections, and improve culture in their organizations, from the top to the shop floor. 1:18 – Beyond the Hammer is an approachable, actionable book which uses a parable format to make a positive impact on leaders 2:38 – A leader's mood and presence directly shapes their team's culture and performance 3:34 – As a leader, be aware of the tone you're getting for the rest of your team 6:24 – The ceiling of a business is limited by the ceiling of the people 8:56 – For true growth to occur, you need to focus on relationships and understanding how each team member's work connects to a larger goal 12:10 – Be honest about your priorities and save time for self-growth and reflection 17:13 – To form relationships, your one-on-one conversations need to be deep and intentional 18:33 – Make your employees feel valued and they'll be less likely to leave your organization 22:14 – While performance can be copied, culture cannot 24:05 – When teams believe in themselves and each other, it creates a stronger and more positive culture Connect with Brian Gottleib Visit his website Connect on LinkedIn Buy Beyond the Hammer – Brian recommends checking out the audiobook for a more personal connection Read my book report on Beyond the Hammer

When there's a leadership shift in a manufacturing organization it leads to major change—and brings its own unique challenges like new team dynamics, cultural shifts, and general growing pains. With the right approach, a change in leadership can also lead to valuable opportunities for growth. Just ask Joe Carrothers and Kristin Rivait from SWT Group. Joe is the president of SWT Group who moved from being the CFO to being the president of the organization, and Kristin is SWT Group's HR director who worked closely with Joe during this unique leadership transition. In this story-filled episode, Joe and Kristin give a peek behind the scenes of SWT Group's leadership transition. They give a honest look at both their success and struggles, offer insights on building trust and advocating for a stronger culture, and share why curiosity and patience are the keys to turning a leadership transition into an opportunity for transformative change. 1:07 – Some leaders struggle with being results-focused and being seen as unapproachable by teams 2:02 – During a time of transition, executive coaching can be a valuable tool 2:54 – How do you quantify the ROI of people-focused initiatives?  6:15 – If you want to grow and learn, you need to be willing to have tough respectful conversations 8:26 – Shift away from pre-formulated answers to truly listening and responding 11:17 – Patience and curiosity are key ingredients to a strong partnership 16:29 – When there is transparence and humility at the top of an organization, it contributes to a more accountable and open culture 18:00 – By being present on the floor as a leader you create a stronger sense of unity and collaboration  21:51 – It is important to be your authentic self and build true relationships with your team 28:13 – In times of leadership transition, practice patience and perseverance  Connect with Joe Carrothers and Kristin Rivait Learn More about SWT Group

On the manufacturing floor, you have dozens of everyday opportunities for negotiation, from talking with a team member about an upcoming pay raise to trying to get a better deal from a supplier. In your everyday negotiations, what can you do to say less, get more, and make effective changes? You need to master the art of negotiation—and in this episode, guest Fotini Iconomopoulos is here to share the tools you need to know. Fotini Iconomopoulos is a master communicator and negotiator based in Toronto. She's also the author of Say Less Get More: Unconventional Negotiation Techniques to Get What You Want. In this episode, she shares more about the power of negotiation and share actionable insights for unlocking your negotiating greatness. 1:00 – Learning how to negotiate and communicate is an important skill for manufacturing leaders 3:20 – Negotiation plays a key role in many manufacturing scenarios, like working with suppliers and retailers 4:25 – Be mindful of negotiation opportunities in your everyday interactions 6:44 – Negotiation isn't just about getting your own way, but about changing the thinking of another person 7:00 – To improve your negotiation skills, stay curious and ask questions 7:34 – When negotiation, think about your own emotions and the emotions of the other person 9:19 – Practice striking the balance between logic and emotions in your negotiations 15:12 – Use language that aids cooperation and mutual benefit 18:54 – Opening with an extreme can set you up for a success negotiation, but be sure to consider the ethics involved 21:37 – People are often motivated more by what they might lose, rather than what they stand to gain 22:22 – Silence can also be a powerful tool in negotiations Connect with Fotini Iconomopoulos Vist her website Learn more about Say Less, Get More Read my book report

When your manufacturing organization is experiencing a crisis, the last thing you want to do is add more oil to the fire! But in a technical industry like manufacturing, many people don't have the skills they need to safely and effectively address a dangerous situation, like how to de-escalate a conflict or communicate a safety issue to their team. Carol Cambridge is here to help bring more safety to your organization! Carol is an authority on workplace violence, active shooter, and workplace conflict. She's also the founder of the Stay Safe Project, where she teaches others how to navigate fear and use their critical thinking skills to get through an emergency or crisis. In this episode on safety and crisis management in manufacturing, Carol breaks down why critical thinking plus such a big role in creating a safer workplace, and shares some insights manufacturing leaders can use to handle conflict, address threats, and create a safer workplace for all. 2:23 – In manufacturing, there can be a lack of critical thinking skills, and this plays a big role in crisis management  5:43 – When someone feels unsafe at work, they may be reluctant to report threats  8:22 – There is a different between “tattling” and “reporting” 15:41 – When a potential threat occurs, form a team to handle it, rather than simply leaving it to HR alone to address 18:54 – When you have clear communications and focus on making your employees feel safer, it creates a culture where people can report potential threats without fear 21:18 – Learn to recognize the behavioral signs that might indicate a potential for violence or distress  23:16 – When it comes to confliction resolution or handling heated conversations, timing is key Connect with Carol Cambridge Learn More About The Stay Safe Project Connect on LinkedIn

In manufacturing, we're all familiar with stress. But did you know that a lack of challenges and too much comfort can also have a negative impact on your health, mindset, and productivity? This is the core concept Paul Taylor presents in his great book Death by Comfort: How Modern Life is Killing Us and What We Can Do About It. As a former British Royal Navy crew member and a current Ph.D. candidate in applied psychology, Paul has in-depth knowledge about stress, resilience, and performance.  In this episode on stress, comfort, and psychological safety, Paul draws from his own experiences and research to delve deeper into why discomfort and challenging situations build confidence and resilience, plus shares some of his favorite methods for rethinking how you perceive stress and engage with your team. 2:20 – In manufacturing, stress can be inevitable, so you need to find the right level of stress in your environment 3:36 - You can use principles from physical fitness and apply them to stress management  7:11 – To stay healthy and keep a productive mindset, you need to balance stress and recovery 11:54 – When you practice self-efficacy and do hard tasks, it builds your confidence 16:21 – Uncomfortable yet necessary conversations play a key role in workplace environments  17:38 – To change and improve how you give feedback and have challenging conversations, use the SBI (situation-behavior-impact) model 18:36 – Use the OARS model for motivational interviewing to encourage open questions, affirmations, reflective listening, and summarizing  24:58 – Take time to understand your purpose and the impact of your work 24:58 – Don't overlook the role of accountability in psychological safety Connect with Paul Taylor Visit his website Listen to The Paul Taylor Podcast Buy Death by Comfort on Amazon or at your favorite bookseller  Read my book report on Death by Comfort

To find improved cost-savings and better team dynamics, there's a solution—more creativity! In the technical world of manufacturing, creativity isn't always a priority, but in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing, guest Dr. Amy Climer is here to show why deliberate creativity is the key to driving improvement and cost savings. With a Ph.D in Leadership and Change, Dr. Climer is a speaker, trainer, and coach who teaches teams how to innovate on demand. She is the author of Deliberate Creative Teams: How to Lead for Innovative Results written to help leaders understand how to increase creativity in their teams. She also hosts The Deliberate Creative™ podcast and she is the designer of Climer Cards, a creativity and teambuilding tool. 1:00 – In manufacturing, finding cost savings is often a challenge 5:33 – Through creative problem solving, plants can find improved cost savings 10:50 – To introduce more creativity in your organization, focus on team purpose, team dynamics, and creative process  17:14 – Creative abrasion occurs when a team can disagree on ideas, not personalities  21:54 – Switching up your language as a leader can play a role in encouraging creativity  24:00 – To find solutions through creativity, be deliberate  Connect with Dr. Amy Climer Visit the website for Climer Consulting Connect on LinkedIn  Read my book report of Deliberate Creative Teams

Are you really doing root cause analysis (RCA) or only scratching at the surface of your organization's problems? When a problem occurs in a fast-paced industry like manufacturing, you want to find the root problem—and you want to find it as quickly as possible! But if you're not taking some mindful time to ask the right questions and understand the human element beyond your issues, you might be missing deeper, more sustainable solutions. Learn more about the world of RCA in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with seasoned RCA expert Bob Latino! Influenced by his father, who pioneered research on equipment, process, and human reliability while working for Allied Chemical (now known as Honeywell), Bob profound understanding of both the technical and human aspects of failure. He is passionate about championing progressive leadership mindsets and helping leaders understand and improve systems, rather than simply assigning blame. In this episode, Bob shares his insights on common challenges with RCA and shares tips leaders can use to move beyond simply fixing broken equipment to creating sustainable reliability through better understanding of human performance. 1:48 – RCA has a PR problem, and is typically only associated with technical failure rather than human factors 6:00 – To improve sustainability and reliability, consider how you approach accountability and blame 7:19 – When an organization is stuck in crisis mode, it looks very different from an organization with experienced reliability  11:32 – “What does right look like to you?” is a great question to ask when a problem occurs 15:41 – Understanding the difference between proactive and reactive approaches can help you shift your mindset when it comes to finding solutions  18:05 – Reliability and maintenance are different departments, as they have different focuses  22:04 – With improved reliability, you can address issues like high turnover and poor leadership retention Connect with Bob Latino  Find him on LinkedIn, where he shares extensive content  Visit the Prelical Solutions website 

In manufacturing, mental health is not always at the forefront. But when you don't pay attention to your team's mental wellbeing, it can negatively affect your entire organization, leading to big issues from disconnected teams to high employee turnover. In this episode, find the insights you need to transform your organization's approach to mental health with guest Adam Nemer. Adam is a former CFO and senior operations leader, whose own mental health struggles inspired him to start Simple Mental Health, an organization that partners with leaders to bring stigma-free mental health culture to their organizations. In this episode, Adam shares impactful stories from his own mental health journey and offers great insights for how leaders can support their teams, implement stronger mental health practices, and play a transformative role in breaking down mental health stigmas in the world of manufacturing. 1:00 – In manufacturing, one out of every five employees struggles with a diagnosable mental illness 7:58 – To promote better mental health in your manufacturing organization, learn to recognize the signs of mental health struggles, like changes in appearance, behavior, or performance  8:35 – Be aware of team members who might be showing up for work, but aren't mentally engaged 12:25 – To improve mental health at work, you need to have deep conversations that go beyond just talking about work 16:20 – When your employees are unhappy or struggling with mental health issues, it can lead to a massive drop in productivity, as well as high turnover 21:46 – As a leader, there is power in sharing your own mental health experiences 27:45 – When leaders normalize discussions about mental health, it improves performance and transforms lives Connect with Adam Nemer Visit his website Connect on Facebook and LinkedIn  Learn more on YouTube

In manufacturing, it seems like it's always go, go go! But what if we could take a moment to pause, think, and act a little more thoughtfully and intentionally? Learn what can happen in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with guest Darcy Luoma! Darcy is an author, consultant, and the creator of the Thoughtfully Fit approach, a dynamic and practical model for enhancing leadership capabilities, improving team dynamics, and navigating the complexities of leadership and teamwork. In this episode, she shares a deep dive into her Thoughtfully Fit method, plus shares other tips and lessons leaders can use to strengthen their culture, connect with their team, and bring more accountability, intentionality, and thoughtfulness to their organization. 1:30 – Intentionally or unintentionally, culture is set from the top 2:39 – Using curiosity helps separate accountability from blame 4:21 – As a leader, you can help your team stay accountable by setting clear expectations and benchmarks 6:40 – Change your mindset to shift away from blame and toward solutions 8:26 – Don't ignore your team's dynamic, or else it can lead to issues like decreased morale and effectiveness 11:04 – By creating intentional space to address team dynamics and communicate styles, you'll find better results 17:10 – Through a Thoughtfully Fit model, focus on pausing, thinking, and acting intentionally 21:31 – Practicing self-awareness as a leader can improve your team's dynamics 23:20 – When applying Thoughtfully Fit principals, be consistent and practice even in small situations Connect with Darcy Luoma Visit her website Take the Thoughtfully Fit quiz

In manufacturing, we often emphasize complex processes and new technologies, like artificial intelligence. But to bring true change and productivity to your organization, don't forget about your people! In this episode, learn all about the balance of technical skills and human connection with guest Emily Nichols! As a professional engineer with decades of experiences in manufacturing and innovation, Emily has worked with organizations like PepsiCo, Janssen, and Henkel. She now works with organizations who want to strengthen the human skills they need to thrive in an increasingly technical world. In this episode, she shares more about the important role of human skills, and offers lessons and insights for forming stronger connections, breaking down systemic barriers, and how to improve your “people score.” 2:01 – Even in fields like manufacturing, human skills play a very important role 5:43 – Current and emerging trends, like AI, make human connection even more important in retention and recruitment 8:29 – To form connections, increase your presence on the shop floor 12:36 – Visual uniformity can foster better connections and help you break down perceived barriers 19:39 – If you want more connections, you need to listen to and respect the expertise of everyone on your team 20:37 – To support women in your organization, you need to address systemic issues 23:39 – Even small changes, like using more inclusive language, can have a big impact on your culture 25:06 – We are people first, not machines Connect with Emily Nichols Visit her website Connect on social media: @connectbettertoday

In the busy field of manufacturing, how do you make yourself stand out? Find out in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with Mark Levy. Mark is a “differentiation expert,” who helps his clients find bold, innovative ways to showcase their big ideas and differentiate themselves from the competition. Mark has worked with dozens of corporations, brands, and thought leaders, including Simon Sinek, Amazon, Harvard Business School, and Major League Baseball, as well as leaders from government bodies like the United Nations. He was also a recent speaker for Tedx Talk, where he spoke about using the obvious to stand out in business and in life. In this episode, Mark talks more about the importance of finding your “big sexy idea” and shares compelling stories from his own consulting experience to show how leaders can differentiate themselves and communicate their organization's values, mission, and other unique aspects in an engaging and memorable way. 2:18 – To inspire your organization, articulate your values and missions in clear, engaging, and memorable ways 3:44 – When making a claim or sharing information, back it up with stories and facts to make it memorable and relatable 10:22 – To help your team learn your organization's key values, keep a sheet with facts and stories that highlight your organization's strengths, mission, values, and other key facts 12:17 – In manufacturing, we often overlook successes in favor of focusing on problem-solving 26:11 – As a leader, communicate in a way that ensures your team members feel valued and integral to your organization's success 27:00 – Consider staring your meetings by sharing proud moments and highlighting recent successes Connect with Mark Levy Watch Mark's Tedx Talk Visit his website

In manufacturing, it's easy to get stuck in the four walls of our organization. But when you look beyond your organization—and even beyond your industry—you can find the insights and lessons you need to transform your leadership, improve your culture, and show up for your team! In this episode, hear from outside the manufacturing industry with Dr. Renee Thompson! Renee is the CEO & Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute and works with healthcare organizations to cultivate a professional workforce by addressing bullying and incivility. Renee has authored several books and is one of only 30 nurses worldwide who have achieved the prestigious certified speaking professional designation. Through her work, Renee is on a mission to create a world where bullying and incivility are immediately rejected, and kindness, respect, and professionalism become the new norm. In this episode, she shares her strategic insights for cultivating a more inclusive and positive workplace. 4:14 – In the workplace, bullying and negative relationships can occur between coworkers, as well as between bosses and employees 5:34 – As a leader, it's important to equip yourself with the skills needed to address bullying and incivility 7:57 – There are many psychological barriers that can lead to challenges or inaction when faced with problematic workplace behavior 9:30 – Scripting is a way to effectively handle difficult conversations 12:27 – Learn the difference between overt bullying and subtle, more convert bullying, and find the strategies for dealing with both types of behavior 16:40 – Even though all industries are different, strategies for addressing bullying and incivility can still be applied across different industries Connect with Dr. Renee Thompson Learn more about Healthy Workforce Institute Find her on LinkedIn Connect on Facebook and Instagram    

When your team is aligned, it leads to more productivity, higher morale, and a healthier workplace . . . and on the flip side, a misaligned team can contribute to issues like high turnover or an inability to attract or keep great new team members. What can leaders do to enhance teamwork and bring more functionality to their organization? In this episode, Mark Kenny gives the solutions! Mark is a speaker, consultant, and expert in team building and leadership. He's also the author of The Hippo Solution: Eliminate the Territorial Thinking and Unleash the Power of Teams, which focuses on how leaders can transform their teams and create healthier, more productive cultures. In this episode, he uses stories from his own life to show the importance of team connection, plus offers insights manufacturing leaders can use to strengthen their team, transform their culture, and find the best solutions. 3:04 – There are some key differences between functional and misaligned teams 5:11 – When your team is disconnected, it can lead to issues like high turnover or struggles to recruit new talent 6:16 – As a leader, you play a critical role in setting the tone for your entire organization 8:07 – To strengthen your team, learn to look for dysfunctional team dynamics 10:17 – Connection, cohesion, and clarity are the pillars of a well-functioning team 14:47 – With more clarity and structure, you can improve your team's functionality 18:39 – Improving your culture can be transformational for your team 24:31 – To find the best solutions, stay curious and build deeper connections within your team Connect with Mark Kenny Visit his website Connect on LinkedIn More on The Six Types of Working Genius More on American Icon: Alan Mullaly and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company

What does a Taco Bell drive-thru have to do with manufacturing? Fast-food and manufacturing have more in common than you might think—and in her newest book Lessons from the Drive-Thru: Real Life Wisdom for Frontline Leaders, former Taco Bell general manager Monica Rothergy shares real-life stories to help leaders lead with ease, authenticity, and vulnerability, whether they're working in a drive-thru or a manufacturing plant. Monica recently came by the Mindfulness Manufacturing to talk more about her book and the career path that took her from a Taco Bell general manager to the first female chief operating officer and first LGBT executive for KFC US. In this episode, Monica also shares valuable insights for other frontlines leaders, including strategies for bringing more curiosity and vulnerability to leadership roles. 2:00 – Frontlines leaders often feel the need to jump in and fix problems themselves, rather than letting their team figure it out 4:00 – Shift your mindset to emphasize coaching and supporting, not micromanaging 7:00 – Practice servant leadership through supporting and recognizing your team 13:00 – Instead of just providing instructions, look for ways to observe and provide feedback 15:00 – When problems occur, have deep and curious conversations to find the root of the issue 19:00 – Training is often seen as the problem, but a lack of support can also lead to performance issues 22:00 – All employees are unique and have different standards, so be curious to find out the kind of support and recognition they need Connect with Monica Rothgery Buy her book Visit her website  

In manufacturing, there's a big link between productivity and mindfulness—and shifting to a more mindful approach just might be the key you need to unlock your team's productivity, decreasing burnout, and creating a happier workplace for all. Find out more in this episode with guest Sarah Ohanesian! Sarah is a professional keynote speaker and productivity consultant on a mission to fight burnout and increase happiness at work. She works with busy professionals who are career-driven but face work-life imbalance, stress, and overwhelm. In this episode, Sarah draws on her own experiences and background to discuss the link between productivity and mindfulness in manufacturing, plus offers actionable tips for intentional time management, combating burnout, and more! 2:36 – There is a difference between busyness and productivity 4:20 – You can improve your productivity with practices like setting daily intentions or saving time for end-of-day reflection and planning 12:10 – Follow Sarah's COAT framework to clarify, organize, act, and take time 17:10 – To save time and be more productive, figure out which tasks are the most important and set clear priorities 18:32 – If you have a to-do list, keep it in a single, trusted location 18:40 – Be intentional with your schedule and time and don't be afraid to say no to requests 21:14 – Allowing time to rest plays a key role in creating sustainable, long-term productivity Connect with Sarah Ohanesian Visit her website Connect on LinkedIn and Instagram

There's power in your people—and if you learn to harness it, it can transform your organization! Learn more in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with guest Hugh Hornsby, the vice president of Everflow Supplies. With a long career and a remarkable track record of turning around struggling businesses—and his own unique journey of surviving a life-changing head injury—Hugh has great stories and insights. In his episode, he shares more about the success of Everflow and his personal journey, and gives insights leaders can use to transform their hiring process, practice everyday gratitude, and find their team's hidden gifts. 2:27 – Everyone has a unique gift, which you can find by overcoming labels and looking for their personal potential 5:52 – Reframe the way you see others and yourself 6:25 – With a more progressive mindset, you can find more potential in both others and yourself 11:21 – If you invest in your team, they'll invest in your organization 14:13 – Hire for personality and to find the right cultural fit, not just because someone has a strong resume 15:35 – The hiring process should be curious, not transactional and restrictive  19:30 – Overcome your terror barrier 24:47 – Every day, find time for a gratitude check 27:00 – To transform your team, start by looking at the story you tell yourself Connect with Hugh Hornsby Learn more about Everflow Supplies Connect on LinkedIn Read my book review of Think and Grow Rich  

What's the secret to retaining your team members and creating an organization where people love to work? DigiKey, an electronic component manufacturing organization in Thief River Falls, Minnesota has it all figured out—and Shane Zutz, DigiKey's vice president of human resources, is here to share the stories and insights behind DigiKey's success! In this episode, Shane shares stories highlighting the importance of curiosity, empathy, and leadership presence, and offers simple-yet-powerful strategies manufacturing leaders can put into action to build trust, accountability, and stronger connections at their own plant. 5:12 – Building a better organization starts with being present and making personal connections 8:13 – If your organization is in a small community, making personal connections is extremely important 9:00 – To find curious ways to engage your team, one strategy is to create a list of questions to ask 13:30 - With a strong foundation, you'll be better equipped to tackle challenges or crises 15:11 - There is a lot of value in simple gestures, like greeting your team in the morning 18:12 - Personalization goes a long way 22:41 Show care and concern for your team members Connect with Shane Zutz Learn more about Digikey Connect with Shane on LinkedIn and reach out to get added to his newsletter Thanks for Listening! Thanks for tuning it to another episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing! To learn more about Trevor Blondeel and Manufacturing Greatness, please visit our website or contact Trevor here.

Are your team members “houseplants” or “trees?” It might sound like a strange question, but knowing the answer is the key to retaining your best employees, strengthening your team, and transforming your organization. In this episode, learn about identifying—and nurturing—your houseplant and tree team members, plus hear other great insights on improving retention, communicating with your team, and showing up as a more emotionally intelligent leader with guest Cara Silletto. Cara is the founder, president, and chief retention office of Magnet Culture, a partner in helping organizations reduce turnover and create cultures where teams succeed and thrive. 2:49 – Some team members are trees, who stay with your company for a long time, while others are houseplants who needs more attention and support 3:23 – To retain your team members, understand the differences between your tree and houseplant employees 5:46 – With a diverse team, you need to approach different team members based on their different needs 8:10 – When you treat employees well, they are more likely to stay with your company 10:14 – Retaining your team members and providing support means adapting as a leader 12:47 – To retain employees, put a stronger emphasis on training, mentoring, and supporting your new hires from their first day 16:39 – Younger team members are more likely to bring their whole selves to work 24:02 – Leaders and managers should use continuous learning to improve their skills and gain a stronger understanding of their roles 25:47 – With a diverse team, you can't use the same rewards and recognitions for all employees 26:53 – To understand your team better, practice curiosity and active listening Connect with Cara Silletto Connect on LinkedIn Learn more about Magnet Culture Find special resources from Magnet Vault Thanks for Listening! Thanks for tuning it to another episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing! To learn more about Trevor Blondeel and Manufacturing Greatness, please visit our website or contact Trevor here.

We all love giving advice! But when advice is your default as a leader, you can fall into an “advice trap” that actually crushes curiosity, creates disconnect, and prevents your team from finding productive outcomes. Bestselling author Michael Bungay Stanier (MBS) tackles this subject in his newest book The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious & Change the Way You Lead Forever. In this episode, MBS shares some of the key lessons from the advice trap and his other books, including lessons and insights leaders can use to change their mindset, grow their curiosity, and create great new habits for building curiosity. 2:17 – With more curiosity, you can engage your people, boost morale and retention, and create a thriving organization 3:31 – Slow down in your rush to provide immediate advice 4:16 – As a leader, shift away from making advice your default response 5:13 – With curiosity, you can become a more strategic leader 6:11 – Defaulting to giving advice is often an ingrained habit 6:48 – When you start being more curious, you let others shine 7:17 – Curiosity can also strengthen your relationship with your family and others outside of work 8:40 – Forming new curiosity habits can take time and practice 9:47 - If you always give answers and advice, your team can become over-dependent, more disconnected, and less productive 10:48 – Through more curiosity, you and your team can find the purpose of your work 12:22 – While practicing curiosity and other new skills, approach it with patience and grace for yourself 13:28 – Be specific and deliberate in building your coaching habit 14:13 – Your team are your allies 15:19 – Instead of answering right away, stay in a place of curiosity a little bit longer 16:53 – Ask curious questions to find the root cause of issues within your team 18:48 – Asking questions can be more effective than giving advice 20: 11 – Your job isn't to come up with the best answer, but to help your team come up with the right answer 21:42 – To practice curiosity, pay attention to your body language Connect with Michael Bungay Stanier Visit his website and download chapter one of The Coaching Habit Learn more about Box of Crayons Read my book reports of The Coaching Habit  

What goes into launching a brand-new manufacturing plant? A successful greenfield site is about more than finding the right space or getting the right equipment—you also have to pay attention to the people you're hiring and the tone you're setting as a leader. In this episode, take a journey through the steps of a greenfield site with Daniel Knecht! Dan is the solar project director for NSG Group, one of the world's largest glass manufacturers. In his role, he focuses on strategic projects to support the renewal energy market. In this story-filled episode, Dan talks about his unique experiences of launching a new plant for NSG, and shares insight other manufacturing leaders can use to build and support their teams, improve their behavior, and bring transformative change to their organization. 4:04 – While manufacturing requires many technical skills, it's still all about people and connection 4:55 – If you're a technically minded person, you might need to shift your behavior to form stronger connections and learn to lead through others 5:22 – At a new plant, choosing and building a new team is an important part of the process 6:13 – As a leader, you want to hire a team who can respectfully challenge you, not just people who think exactly like you 7:27 – Changing how you show up for your team starts with authenticity and vulnerability   9:45 – Show up for your team with action, not just words 10:23 – Even with a large team, you can form great connections through intention and curiosity 12:54 – At a new plant, it's imperative to set the right tone 14:38 – Manage your emotions and use patience to navigate challenges and connect with your team 19:09 – How you show up in a moment of adversity says a lot about you as a leader 20:05 – You lead how you're led, so be aware of behaviors you might have picked up from others 20:40 – Take responsibility for your role as a leader in your organization 21:53 – Hire the right people and invest in them 23:20 – You can't successfully address every issue your team brings to you, but you can approach the issue with an open mind 24:14 – To get a better understanding of the pulse of your floor, create a safe space for your team Connect with Daniel Knecht Find him on LinkedIn Learn more about NSG

In manufacturing, retention and recruitment are two of the biggest challenges. To attract great talent and keep your best team members, you need to set yourself apart from the competition—and you can start by improving your response times! In this episode, join guest Jay Baer for a deep-dive into the tools and procedures you need to improve efficiency, strengthen your communications, and bridge the “uncertainty gap” in your organization. Jay Baer is a researcher and advisor specializing in business growth and customer experience. He's also a seventh-generation entrepreneur, the author of seven bestselling books, the creator of six multi-million dollar companies, and a popular tequila influencer and educator. 3:50 – There is a correlation between responsiveness and revenue 5:34 – People care about their time more than ever, which is why it's important to respect the time of others 6:11 – Creating an efficient recruitment process is one way to be respectful of other's time 7:43 – With a faster recruitment process, you won't miss out on great talent 10:32 – Having an efficient system for replying and following-up cuts down on team anxiety and improves your culture 11:52 – You don't always have to have the answer right away, but you can improve your relationships by giving a response 14:31 – As a leader, being responsive builds trust and helps you form better relationships within your organization 15:08 – Through responsiveness and strong communications, you can bridge the Uncertainty Gap 17:27 – People are trained to want more details and information 20:07 – Responsiveness should be a company policy, not an individual choice 21:40 – Find ways to continuously improve 23:57 – Customers will often go with the person who responds first, regardless of price Connect with Jay Baer Visit his website Learn more about The Time to Win Subscribe to his newsletter Thanks for Listening! Thanks for tuning it to another episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing! To learn more about Trevor Blondeel and Manufacturing Greatness, please visit our website or contact Trevor here.

Results matters! Whether you're looking at safety, quality, or productivity, you and your team want to know how you're performing. But when it comes to people, it can be difficult to measure your return on investment. In this episode, guest Martin Low walks us through the best strategies for measuring your team, plus shares great insights on why people matter most in your organization. Martin is the founder and CEO of On Plane Consulting, where he helps organizations transform and improve by building and leveraging their people capabilities. He also has over 20 years of human resources experiences at companies like Amazon and Blue Apron, and brings great insights on how to measure your team, clarify your processes, and create a culture where everyone shows up at their best. 3:23 – You can't measure people in the same way you measure inventory, cash flow or other main areas of your organization 6:31 – If you don't invest in your people, it leads to issues like high turnover and halted productivity 7:36 – If you don't have a baseline, you can't measure 8:45 – If someone on your team is underperforming, use curiosity to find the cause 8:52 – Establish a baseline for what good looks like within your team or organization 9:45 – If someone on your team has higher rates than others, study their process and see how you can implement their methods for your whole team 11:50 – When results don't meet expectations, approach the issue with curiosity instead of judgement 14:08 – With clearer processes, your team can improve and your organization can reduce turnover 14:24 – As a leader, you should make your expectations clear and hold others accountable 15:33 – With clarity, your team members find more agency and can improve the way they show up 17:31 – Create a process where you and your team can use your energy in a productive way, instead of just trying to survive the day 19:37 – Surveying your team is a strategy for assuring everyone is aligned and understands your processes, values, mission, and goals 22:52 – With a survey, leadership can find solutions directly from their team on the floor 24:18 – Most people show up wanting to do a good job, and clear processes can help them improve how they show up Connect with Martin Low Learn more about On Plane Consulting Contact On Plane Consulting at hello@onplane.com Contact Martin at martin@onplay.com

Stories resonate with people, which makes them a valuable tool for sharing information, seeking new outcomes and connecting with your team. So let's bring more storytelling to the manufacturing floor! In this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing, meet guest Trevor Perry. Trevor is an award-winning speaker, author, and perspective-changer, who uses his unique perspectives and love of storytelling to help others find their own light and improve their influence in the world. In this episode, Trevor shares his journey of finding his storytelling passion, and discusses why leaders should learn and practice storytelling skills. 4:04 – When someone owns, lives, and feels a story, that makes for powerful storytelling 5:31 – Some people might be bad storytellers with great stories to tell, or great storytellers with bad stories 6:24 – Storytelling is a way to connect and help others relate to what you're trying to share 7:12 – Good storytelling is transparent and draws on your own experiences 8:42 – If you're telling someone else's story, you still need to find a way to personally connect and own the story you're telling 11:18 – Storytelling is an inherent part of human nature, which is why stories resonate so well 12:47 – Every story needs a purpose, especially if you're in a leader or mentor role 15:15 – If you're trying to adopt someone else's story as your own, it won't feel authentic 16:19 – A culture of storytelling can bring more connection to your organization 17:44 – How you tell a story is always going to be different depending on your audience or situation 20:28 – Practicing improv is a unique way to hone your storytelling skills  20:30 - Learn more about improv and storytelling in Episode 97 22:55 – You can also learn about storytelling about listening to others 23:57 – As a human, you are a storyteller Connect with Trevor Perry Visit his website Thanks for Listening! Thanks for tuning it to another episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing! To learn more about Trevor Blondeel and Manufacturing Greatness, please visit our website or contact Trevor here.  

How can we bring more mindfulness to the manufacturing floor without comprising speed or efficiency? With a background as an award-winning senior executive for agencies, brands, and team properties in NASCAR, IndyCar, and Formula One racing, Mike Mooney knows all about speed! He now uses his unique background to help leaders accelerate culture, unlock potential, drive opportunity, and create traction. In this episode, Mike shares why humans are high-performance vehicles, and how leaders can use presence, intentionality, and curiosity to improve communicates, reach creative outcomes, and improve their organization's culture. 3:46 – Like racecars, humans are high-performance vehicles that needs building, fixing, innovation, and restoration 5:04 – Being high-performance involves being present, intentional, and curious 8:13 – You can still get work done well and efficiently without sacrificing your relationships or workplace presence 9:22 – To improve your presence and how you show up, commit to shifting your micro-behaviors 12:00 – Sometimes, you need to slow down to go fast 13:33 – In the space between stimulus and response, you have a choice to jump to conclusions or react with curiosity 16:22 – Curiosity opens up conversations and leads to more productive outcomes 19:10 – Great ideas can come from anywhere, not just the executive team 23:20 – With curiosity, any idea can be interesting 25:05 – We were all designed to be high-performance vehicles and with time and authenticity, you can become the leader your organization needs Connect with Mike Mooney Visit his website Find him on LinkedIn Connect on X and Instagram @mike_mooney Connect on Facebook @mikemooney_speaks Thanks for Listening! Thanks for tuning it to another episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing! To learn more about Trevor Blondeel and Manufacturing Greatness, please visit our website or contact Trevor here.    

Trust is the antidote to so many common issues that can occur on the manufacturing floor. But how can you build trust—both in yourself and with your team? Find out in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with guest Justin Patton! Justin is a certified speaker professional and leadership presence expert, who challenges leaders to reimagine how they lead, love, and communicate. He's also the author of Your Road to Yes: How to Build Trust in Yourself and With Others and the recently-released The High-Impact Manager: Your Blueprint for Bringing Out the Best in Your Team. In this episode, Justin talks about the vital role trust plays in improving your leadership, empowering your team, and showing up as your best self, and shares why transparency, tact, and togetherness are the three key foundations you need to improve how you show up and built trust in your relationships. 3:10 – Trust requires transparency, tact, and togetherness 4:03 – Trust is your biggest competitive advantage 4:41 – When people don't have all the information, they fill it in with fear or make up stories 5:59 – As a leader, you can create a culture of trust by having the courage to be transparent and vulnerable 8:39 – You have to speak your truth, but also take accountability for how you deliver it 10:41 – When an organization values results over everything else, it leads to issues like a lack of trust, increased disconnect, and poor leadership 12:22 – Think about who you are at your best, then work to show up for others as that best version of yourself 14:37 – To grow as a leader, you don't have to fundamentally change who you are, but can learn how to lean into your best qualities and align your actions and behavior with who you are at your best 16:21 – Trust is built in small moments 17:46 – Find the balance between oversharing and transparency 20:51 – Trust does not leave people second guessing 21:20 – Choose discomfort over resentment 22:53 – There are also situations where building trust can require staying silent 25:43 – Every choice you make either gets you closer to trust or drives you away from it Connect with Justin Patton Visit his website Learn more about his books Check out my book reports of Your Road to Yes and The High-Impact Manager Thanks for Listening! Thanks for tuning it to another episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing! To learn more about Trevor Blondeel and Manufacturing Greatness, please visit our website or contact Trevor here.  

The manufacturing industry just keeps getting greater—and it's all thanks to passionate, mindful leaders who show up every day ready to engage their teams, improve their mindset, and create an environment where people love to work. One of these leaders is Karen J. Lund, a bestselling author and keynote speaker with a long career in the steel industry. Drawing on her experience in the steel industry, Karin now leads the team at G-Power Global, an organization she founded to inspires corporate and organizational entities to lead with compassion while continuing to focus on productivity, service, and profits. In this episode, Karin talks more about transformations facing the steel industry and manufacturing as a whole, and shares why compassion, connection, and conversations are the key to unlocking creative solutions, overcoming challenges, and bringing new energy to the manufacturing floor. 3:03 – In manufacturing, you can't do everything by yourself, which makes it very important to seek out and build strong connections 5:33 – It can be a challenge to form relationship on the floor, especially for younger professionals 6:48 – When people have connections on the floor, it makes it easier to voice feedback and navigate challenges 9:01 – By creating a culture that fosters connections and conversation, you'll find more productivity and more creative solutions   11:37 – Compassion is the competitive edge 15:55 – There is a difference between training and learning 16:39 – Employee resource groups are a strong tool for building connections and community in the workplace 19:20 – If you want to redefine your industry and image, start by having conversations about your values and how you present to the media and others 22:25 – In manufacturing, it's important to have conversations about how your role impacts the work of others, and vice versa 23:29 – Everyone learns in different ways and some people may need different accommodations 25:02 – When someone makes a commitment to their industry, it can have a positive impact for entire teams and organizations Connect with Karin J. Lund Visit her website Thanks for Listening! Thanks for tuning it to another episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing! To learn more about Trevor Blondeel and Manufacturing Greatness, please visit our website or contact Trevor here.

When a mistake occurs on the plant floor, your mind might jump to one question: who caused this issue, and should I write them up for their mistake? But there's a more productive approach you could be taking—and in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing, guest Dr. Jake Mazulewicz breaks it all down! With a background as a firefighter, EMT, and military paratrooper, Jake knows the challenges of high-hazard industries, and works with organizations to reduce errors and create safer, more reliable workplace environments. In this episode, Jake shares why you can't procedularize everything, including the way you handle errors and accidents, and offers great insights and stories about how to use connection and curiosity to improve safety, address errors, and strengthen your organization. 3:35 – Procedures and policies are the work that is imagined, and on the floor is how the work actually gets done 4:19 – The work as-done is almost always radically different than the work as-imagined 5:20 – Even when you have standards and people show up wanting to do a good job, you can still see issues that need to be addressed 6:44 – There will always be areas that absolutely need to have procedures in place 8:02 – There are also adaptive jobs, which leans less into procedures and more intro troubleshooting and tacit human knowledge 10:56 - In an ideal environment, both mechanistic and adaptive models are used and respected and needed 12:11 – There are four levels, ranging from strict procedurals to looser guidelines that show what to do, but not how to do it 15:36 – Tacit knowledge gets shared through conversations 16:22 – A way to share important information is to have frontline experts record videos sharing their insights to problems, especially those that are not covered in procedures 19:44 – Through conversation and connection, more knowledge is shared 21:58 – Debriefing also plays a central role 23:45 – If you have strong discipline, you'll find more freedom 25:31 – In most situations, errors are signals, not defects 27:07 – When an error occurs, be curious and find the deeper cause of the problem Connect with Jake Mazulewicz Find him on Linkedin Visit his website

In 2009, total engine loss forced US Airways Flight 1549 to make an emergency crash landing in New York City's Hudson River—and thanks to the quick actions of the pilot, flight crew, and passengers, all 155 people on board made it safely off the plane. Now known as “the miracle on the Hudson,” this harrowing incident offers up important lessons on staying calm under pressure, coping with traumatic challenges, and making every moment count. To learn more, let's hear from a Flight 1549 survivor! Dave Sanderson is a nationally recognized leadership speaker and bestselling author, who draws from his inspirational story of survival to encourage others to do the right thing and find healthy ways to cope with their own struggles and adversity. In this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing, Dave shares his own Miracle on the Hudson story, and offers powerful insights he learned from being the last passenger off Flight 1549! 2:18 – Dave shares his Flight 1549 story 8:11 – In times of conflict, whether it's a plane crash or issue on the manufacturing floor, calmness and confidence play key roles 9:05 – To get through challenging situations, you need to manage your own mindset 10:05 – You don't need to know everything to handle a crisis, but you have to be able to lead yourself first 11:09 – Every moment in your life happens for a reason 13:38 – How to react to and cope with a challenging situation depends on the meaning you attach to it 14:22 – By reframing the meaning you attach to a situation, you can find healthy and productive ways to react and grow 15:33 – Everyone assigns different meanings to different challenges, so it's important to approach others with curiosity instead of judgement 17:56 – To truly understand others, you need be curious and have authentic interactions 21:52 – To feel included in an organization's mission, people need and want certainty, variety, connection, significance, growth, and the ability to contribute   24:48 – As a leader, it's up to you to find creative solutions and create opportunity from challenges 28:57 – If you get casual, it can lead to safety issues, accidents, and other serious problems for your organization Connect with Dave Sanderson Check out his website and download a free copy of his Moments Matter Magazine Connect on LinkedIn to see new blog content  

In many manufacturing organizations, company values can be seen in plaques on the walls, but don't show up in the behavior and language used on the shop floor. How can we get core values off the walls and into action? Find out in this episode with guest Adam Hill! Adam is the nine-figure CEO of a 4th generation family business, as well as a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and host of the top-rated podcast Flow Over Fear. Throughout his work, he helps leaders and other high achievers rise above fear and realize their ultimate potential in leadership and life. In this episode, Adam shares why core values are so important to organizations—and why holding tight to outdated ideals can cause restriction instead of growth, plus offers insights and lessons leaders can use to make sure their core values are showing up in their culture and behavior. 4:13 – Core values should serve as a driving force, but can sometimes become restrictive 6:26 – In some cases, holding onto an old or legacy core value can actually hold back your organization 8:15 – If your organization is struggling or plateaued, look toward your core values and address what ideals need to stay and which ones can be changed or removed 9:24 – Culture and strategy are very similar, but can't be treated as the same 10:51 – As culture shifts, you might have to shift your behavior while still staying true to your core values 13:06 – If you want change, you need to create a culture where people feel empowered to speak up 14:19 – If people in your organization don't feel comfortable speaking up, it can lead to unsafe environments 16:29 – Healthy conflict is often necessary when discussing which core values to keep or get rid of, especially in family or legacy companies 21:50 – The strongest core values are the ones that can grow and evolve with your organization 24:00 – Great results can arise from challenging conversations Connect with Adam Hill Visit his website Listen to his Flow Over Fear podcast

If you want to improve safety, quality, productivity, and results, the first step is looking toward improving connection. With more mindfulness and connection, your entire organization can thrive—and in this episode, guest Jon Gordon is here to show you exactly how you can improve connection and fight disconnect in your organization! Jon is one of the top three leadership speakers in the world, and his talks on mindset and leadership have inspired hundreds of individuals and organizations. He is also the bestselling author of 28 books, including one of my favorites, The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy. In this episode, Jon delves deeper into some of the insights in The Energy Bus to share how leaders can use positivity and connection to improve results and combat difficult situations. 3:31 – You are always going to have to deal with negative people, or energy vampires, but overcoming them is a key part of your journey to connection 4:40 – Every negative person is a test for you to find your own power and resiliency 6:40 – We are meant to be connected, which is why disconnect and isolation leads to anxiety and other mental health issues 7:55 – The more united and connected you are, the stronger you'll be as a team 10:10 – If you only focus on the results instead of the process, it can lead to disconnect and other negative outcomes 11:15 – Feed yourself with words of positivity and encouragement instead of listening to negative self-talk 12:30 – Understand the wound behind your negative thoughts, so you can find a way to speak truth to them 13:49 – By embracing opportunities to heal and grow, you become a stronger leader for your team 16:25 – A positive team starts with positive leadership 18:03 – Understanding the dynamics of your team can help you find ways to improve connection 20:23 – You need both love and accountability 22:48 – There will always been the need for difficult conversations, so find a way to deal with them and make them less difficult for you and your team 24:49 – You can't be thankful and stressed at the same time Connect with Jon Gordon Visit his website Learn More about The Energy Bus and his other books Read my previous book report on The Energy Bus Connect on LinkedIn and social media Hear Jon's podcast with Alan Mullally

“I'm great in my role and have valuable information to share . . . so why doesn't anyone want to work with me?” If you've ever asked yourself this question, this podcast with guest Karine Leblanc is for you! Karine Leblanc is a bestselling author and international public speaker who uses her unique engineering background to help technical professionals bridge the bridge between technical brilliance and human connection. In this episode, Karine shares her personal story of discovering the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, 4:10 – In any role, there is much more to do that simply learn the technical role of your job 5:00 – By having a mentor or someone else you trust in your organization, you can gain valuable feedback and insights 6:18 – To better yourself through feedback, you need to be ready to hear feedback and make it clear to your team that you're open to listening to them 8:30 – When you work on yourself and improve your self-awareness, it can have a positive impact on all levels of your information, including your relationships with clients 9:45 – Emotional intelligence is not about being happy all the time, but learning to be self-aware of your own emotions and behaviors 10:42 – Through being intentional conversations with your team, you can still find productive outcomes and dynamics even when you're not at your emotional best 11:51 – Have the courage to be vulnerable 15:05 – By being self-aware and intentional, you can learn your own behavioral signals and find the best ways to navigate challenging situations 16:18 – Using emotional intelligence, you can also learn other people's behavioral signals and triggers, and find the best way to communicate with them 18:12 – If you're stuck, all you need is a fresh perspective 19:09 – To find new perspectives and feedback, take a pause and zoom out 21:23 – Through simple and honest dialogue, you can improve safety and find more productive results 22:37 – When you combine technical skills with human skills, magic happens Connect with Karine Leblanc Visit her website Connect on LinkedIn  

There's a four-letter word you should avoid on the manufacturing floor . . . and it's not the one you think! In this episode, hear from guest Shawn Rhodes on why hope is the four-letter word you should remove from your processes. With a background as a war correspondent, Shawn knows firsthand how environments can quickly change, and now serves as a speaker, author, and international expert helping others learn how to pivot when change enters their plans. In this episode, Shawn discusses why hope shouldn't be part of your strategy on the manufacturing floor, and pulls from his unique background to share actionable ways to replace hope in your organization and operations. 2:58 – If you rely on hope and wait for your environment to change, it can spell failure 3:15 – Identify where you're using hope in your plans, then replace it with something else 5:08 – As a leader, replacing hope starts with changing your mindset 6:03 – To replace hope, identify areas where issues could occur, then work to address the issues 8:50 – By making small changes, you can eliminate bigger issues and free up more time and resources for yourself and your team 11:18 – By changing your mindset to remove hope, you will also create a positive standard for your team and organization 13:51 – Take time to monitor your environment and assesses what is and isn't working 15:07 – Set objectives and figure out what you need to do to reach them 18:40 – As a leader, your biggest concern should be living up to your potential and fully showing up in how you serve 21:05 – Replace hope with systems and processes 21:53 – Take ownership and think about what you could do differently as a leader and how you can put those changes into action 25:16 – Have the courage to take a pause or briefly shut down operations, and it will save major time and stress down the line 27:30 – If you put in the work to replace hope and improve your leadership, success will find you Connect with Shawn Rhodes Find him on LinkedIn Learn more about Shawn's book Pivot Point

Do you want to improve relationships at your organization and change the way you show up for your team? It all starts with self-awareness . . . and in this episode, guest Zovig Garboushian is here to show you the tips you need to become a self-awareness champion! With years of experience in brand marketing, management consulting, and leadership development, Zovig now puts her passion and experience to use at Boldness Ablaze, a boutique professional firm that helps leaders overcome personal limitations and find authentic success. In this episode, Zovig delves into the important topic of self-awareness and shares her favorite tips on how leaders can use skills like curiosity and compassion to grow their self-awareness, form healthier connections, and find the life they want to have. 2:30 – Self-awareness is the key to having the kind of life you want to have 2:50 – It is also about the ongoing and evolving relationship you have with yourself 7:20 – Through self-awareness, you develop the ability to notice and change when something in your life feels incongruent with what you want for yourself 8:40 – The more we connect to ourselves, the more we behave in our natural ways 9:12 – Our essence is our unique way of showing up and adding value to the world 11:24 – Self-awareness also requires you to attend to yourself and practice self-care 13:25 – One way to practice self-awareness is to take small moments throughout your day to pause and reflect on how you want to show up 16:43 – Another self-awareness tip is to observe yourself, your behavior, and your interactions and reactions 18:40 – By staying self-aware and reflecting on your own behavior, you can improve your relationships with others in your organization 19:48 – Showing up with self-awareness takes courage 20:18 – Everything we do for others begins with ourselves 20:35 – Self-awareness includes curiosity, compassion, and acceptance for ourselves 22:05 – You're never going to treat someone else better than how you treat yourself 24:26 – You deserve to take time for yourself Connect with Zovig Garboushian Visit her website Email zovig@boldnessablaze.com Connect on LinkedIn

What are the 3 P's of success? Grab a cup of your favorite tea and find out in this episode with Tonia Jahshan! Tonia is the founder of Canadian loose leaf tea company Sipology, which skyrocketed to great levels of success after Tonia pitched her business on Dragons' Den, the Canadian version of Shark Tank. Today, Sipology is one of the fastest growing companies in North America, and Tonia is one of the top entrepreneurs in Canada. In this episode, Tonia gives a behind-the-scenes look at her experience on Dragons' Den and shares why passion, purpose, and perseverance are the three ingredients you need to find your own great success. 2:18 – Tonia shares stories from her experience on Dragons' Den 8:49 – When pitching a new idea, do your homework and know your audience 9:18 – Be transparent and show you truly care about your product or process 10:18 – Strong and long-lasting partnerships often start with a personal connection 12:04 – To drive change, you have to show up with passion 12:27 – The three P's of success are passion, purpose, and perseverance 13:26 – If you're not showing up with passion, others in your organization will feel it as well 16:24 – By setting boundaries and taking care of your own mental health, you can improve your mindset and how you positively show up for your team 18:52 – On the journey to success, you're not alone and it's okay to rely on your team and others in your life and organization 19:28 – If you're not passionate about w hat you're doing or feel like you're lost your purpose, reconsider and rework Connect with Tonia Jahshan Learn more about Sipology Connect with Tonia on Instagram or LinkedIn Visit Tonia's website    

What does manufacturing leadership have in common with running marathons or climbing mountains? Learn the answer in this episode with guest Steven Pivnik! Steven is an entrepreneur, author, and international speaker, who took his company Binary Tree to great success during his time as CEO. He is also an endurance athlete who has reached the summit of mountains like Kilimanjaro and competed in the grueling Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. In his soon-to-be-released book Built to Finish: How to Go the Distance in Business and Life, Steven shares his stories about finding success in both entrepreneurship and endurance sports. In this episode, he delves into a few insights from his book, plus shares lessons on endurance, shortcuts, and connections that you can use to find more successful outcomes, whether you're on the manufacturing floor or getting ready for your next athletic adventure! 2:19 - There are actually many tie-ins between endurance sports and entrepreneurship 6:11 – Avoid taking shortcuts, especially when it comes to tasks like hiring 6:55 – Shortcuts may feel good and lead to easy solutions, but they don't always lead to long-term, sustainable outcomes 8:20 – Many people have the false notion that there is always time to do sometime twice, but there's rarely time to do it right the first time 10:57 - If you rely on shortcuts, it can hurt you in the long-run 12:22 – Often, going slowly instead of rushing or using a shortcut leads to more positive outcomes and a greater chance of success 14:23 – When it comes to forming connections and having deeper conversations, it's especially important to slow down and be intentional about your behavior and mindset 14:50 – In relationships, quantity supersedes quality 16:50 – Stronger connections come from building true relationships through work 18:43 – When people have strong personal connections at work, they are more likely to show up and productively engage with their organization 21:20 – Forming stronger relationships takes work and patient, but the benefits can be very rewarding 22:43 – Everyone has stories and greatness, and you can discover opportunities for new connections by being open and willing to learn Connect with Steven Pivnik Visit his website Connect on LinkedIn Pre-order Built to Finish

From convincing a valued team member to stay with your organization to motivating an employee to level up their performance, you use influence everyday on the manufacturing floor. But what exactly is influence, and how can you more productive ways to influence others in your organization? Alyson Van Hooser has the answers! Alyson is a keynote speaker, leadership expert, and the author of Infinite Influence, which offers the keys to unlocking more productive relationships and outcomes. In this episode, Alyson uses personal stories and memorable anecdotes to show the importance of influence within teams and organizations, plus discusses how curiosity and intentionality can make a big difference in how you influence and communicate with others. 2:57 – There are many ways to influence people, from convincing them to stay on your team to influencing someone to level up their performance at work 3:19 – Change the way you think about everyone you know and recognize your ability to influence anyone, anywhere, at any time 4:27 – Influence is very different from manipulation 5:21 – You can't motivate someone to do something they don't want to do 14:52 – Instead of making assumptions, stay curious and think about what others need 17:25 – By making assumptions, you might not be meeting your team's needs, if you are going in with good intentions 18:51 – You need a combination of good intentions and intentional actions 22:48 – Leading with biases and assumptions instead of curiosity and intentionality can lead to further disconnect in your organization 23:46 – You don't need radical shifts to change your leadership. Instead, you can focus on small moments of building curiosity and intention 26:03 – To find the best way to communicate with someone, you need build a relationship and get to know their story 28:33 – Successful organizations are built through the support and investment of others Connect with Alyson Van Hooser Visit her website Connect on LinkedIn Learn More About Infinite Influence

In the busy and high-stress world of manufacturing, it can be hard to find your focus! What can you do to reset your focus and prioritize what matters most? Find out in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with “Focusologist” Penny Zenker. Penny is as an international speaker, business strategy coach, and bestselling author who has been featured on NBC, Forbes, and more. She is also a leader expert in the psychology of productivity, and works with organizations to maximize results by eliminating perfectionism, distractions, and self-sabotage. In this episode, she shares her three-step process for building a reset mindset aligning yourself with what matters most to you, your team, and the productivity and culture of your organization. 3:46 – Focus always coming back to setting objectives and aligning your actions with those objectives 4:47 – To find your focus, you need to step back, get out of your daily cycle, and reset 5:29 – To engage in reset practice, you have to recognize the trigger for the reset moment and then take a step back to get perspective and realign 7:03 – The more you practice, the easier it is to build a reset mindset 7:53 – If you don't give yourself permission to step back and reset, you increase the risk of errors that can hinder productivity and cause mistakes 8:53 – Taking small break is a way to relearn how to focus 9:30 – Another part of practicing a reset mindset is learning to recognize when something isn't working, like getting rid of an unproductive meeting 11:39 – Stepping back can mean giving up control in some areas 12:14 – Being able to step back creates a culture with less bureaucracy and more trust and autonomy 13:59 – Sometimes we focus on the wrong areas, like focusing on micromanagement when it would be more productive to focus on fostering autonomy 16:30 – A reset mindset starts with creating reset moments for yourself 17:44 – Constantly look for ways to bring out the best in yourself and in others 18:22 – A reset mindset also requires curiosity and a willingness to adapt 21:24 – If one person in an organization can demonstrate a reset mindset, others will learn to do the same Connect with Penny Zenker Visit her website Check out her Take Back Time podcast

Is humor the secret weapon for bridging the connection gap in your organization? Find out more in this episode featuring Tim Gard, CSP, CPAE. Tim is a Hall of Fame speaker and business coach who uses his own humor-infused presentations to help others use humor to improve productivity, create stronger connections, and bring more resilience and resourcefulness to their organizations. In this episode, Tim shares why humor can be a powerful tool for combating disconnect and communicating with your team, all while sharing some humorous stories of his own! 2:49 – When humor comes at the expense of others, it fuels disconnect 4:14 – Self-effacing humor is a strong skill in the workplace, but can be difficult to master 4:49 – There is a difference between understanding humor and being humorous yourself 5:35 – If you can find humor in a stressful situation, it can lead to moments of connection for you and your team 7:04 – By figuring out what is humorous to your team members, you can find ways to bridge the disconnection gap with humor 10:25 – When you can work hard and laugh hard with you team, you can find results 10:58 – If you're not connecting with someone, you have to adapt to their communication style and figure out what's important to them 12:01 – You also need to be aware of your behavior and how others might interpret it or react to it 12:47 – If you don't connect with someone at first, don't abandon the process 15:32 – By having your own good mood and positive mindset, you can convey that to your team 17:34 – Humor can also be used to convey safety messages in your organization 20:07 – By using humor, you can draw others to you and your team and can get better results 22:35 – Harnessing your own positive thoughts and feelings is a powerful tool for connection 25:08 – We can't always choose what happens to us, but we can choose how we perceive and react Connect with Tim Gard Visit his website Learn more about Sticky Safety

Just think positive! We're all heard this phrase before, but thinking positively can be easier said than done, especially if you're dealing with a painful situation or difficult challenge. In this episode, guest Dr. Paul Jenkins is here to help you find a new approach for positive thinking. Dr. Paul is a professional psychologist who specializes in science and practice of positivity. He is also a coach, author, speaker, and “black belt in positivity” who creates models to help others find empowering new ways to view positivity. 2:39 – Positive thinking is more than a trite motivational phase 4:35 – The equipment of your mind is amazing at what it's intended to do 5:55 – Your brain's job is to keep things really efficient 6:44 – Metacognition is thinking on a higher level, or thinking about thinking 7:06 – Metacognition creates a space where choice exists 9:19 – You are constantly judging and evaluating, so you brain can work to keep you safe and to prove you right 13:59 – You can't always get rid of a negative situation, but you can find a sense of relief and gratitude by comparing it to something worse 17:59 – If you assume something is bad or has no upsides, your brain will work to prove you right 18:40 – You can't tell others to just be more positive, and others can't do the same for you 20:03 – Toxic positivity is when you ignore the difficulty and act like everything is okay 22:37 – Creation mode is all about what is to be and what doesn't exist yet 23:34 – When you imagine that worse things are coming, it leads to anxiety 25:15 – What we imagine is our brain's blueprint for moving forward, even if what actually happens doesn't perfectly match what you envisioned 27:25 – The two stages of thinking are evaluation and creation 28:48 – As a leader, you can help others create their own positive visions 30:01 – Come to peace with how things are, then work to upgrade your situation Connect with Dr. Paul Jenkins Visit his website Get your free positivity model here    

If you missed part one with guest Jon Giganti, be sure to listen to Episode 103 here. Jon Giganti is speaker, tech executive, and USA Today bestselling author. He is the author of With Intention, where he delves into how leaderships can use skills like agency, awareness, and ambition to find new success, take ownership of their past, and bring impactful change to their organizations. In this episode, Jon shares more lessons and insights about how leaders can use intentionality to form strong connections, find productive results, and serve their team in the authentic, impactful ways. 1:29 – Schedule white space or margins into your day to avoid overbooking yourself 3:29 – Quiet moments in your schedule give you a chance to rest your brain, body, and soul 8:06 – Setting aside time in your schedule is a way to invest in yourself and your future 10:00 – Scheduling margins also gives you time to form more productive connections within your organization 13:27 – When you have a lack of connection, you have a lack of engagement 13:40 – Let others see your authenticity 14:22 – By building trust and serving as your authentic self, you can work toward stronger results with your team 15:57 – You need self-awareness to find the best ways to improve and serve 17:27 – Get below the surface to know yourself, including your identities, beliefs, and values 20:20 – If you don't deal with what's in your head, it will impact your heart 22:26 – By building relationships, you can impact others and drive change 25:45 – Vulnerability is a superpower Connect with Jon Giganti Visit his website, where you can learn about his speaking, podcasts, and With Intention course Check out my book report of With Intention, then get your own copy

Do you find yourself starting the day with positive intentions, then leaving your manufacturing plant at the end of the day feeling like you didn't actually accomplish any of your intentions? You might be struggling with “intention deficit disorder!” This is definitely something I've struggled with, but I felt much better after reading With Intention by speaker, tech executive, and USA Today bestselling author Jon Giganti. Jon is also a friend and professional speaking colleague, and after reading his fantastic book, I wanted to hear more of his thoughts on how we can all bring more intentionality to our leadership and organizations. That's why I'm excited to have him as my guest for this special two-part episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing! In part one of my podcast with Jon, he shares some stories that lead to the lessons on intentionality he writes about in With Intention, and discusses why self-awareness, agency, and connections play a key role in practicing intentionality and improving results. 6:33 – To accomplish something, you need to show up, serve, and add value 7:08 – Intention is finding out what your priorities are, then living into it as much as possible 7:58 – Every day is a new day with opportunities to be intentional and make an impact 9:28 – In order to serve others, you have to serve yourself first by establishing a routine and setting yourself up for success 10:48 – To find sustainable results, you need to have self-awareness and self-intention 13:13 – You need to put yourself in the right position for success 14:08 – Your energy levels are not the same throughout the day, so being intentional about your time is important 15:44 – Journaling or writing down affirmations is one way to practice intentionality 16:34 – You should also set a core foundation yourself by working on your own standards and beliefs 18:30 – To accomplish what you want to accomplish, show up, and form habits 21:07 – If you want to be more intentional about how you lead or connect with others, start with curiosity, connection, and bridging disconnects 23:29 – To serve others on your team, act as a safe place to connect 24:00 – To get stronger results or find out what is driving a performance issue, stay curious and find ways to connect with your teams 24:39 – Trust also plays a large role in building connections and finding results 25:23 – Along with self-awareness, you also need agency and the ability to take ownership of your past, present, and future Tune in next episode to learn more about intentionality with Jon Giganti! Connect with Jon Giganti Visit his website, where you can learn about his speaking, podcasts, and With Intention course Check out my book report of With Intention, then get your own copy

Relationships play a key role in fostering curiosity, building connection, and combating disconnection. But how do we create strong, authentic relationships? To answer that question, I'm joined by guest Corban David Jenai. Corban is an entrepreneur, artist, world traveler, and father. He also currently serves as the Chief Hope Officer at HopeGuide, where he draws from his own PTSD diagnosis and healing journey to help others find the freedom and connection they need to recover from their trauma. In this episode, Corban shares why vulnerbility and intentionality are important for building strong relationships, discusses why "being a witness" to others is the key to building relationships, and shares some authentic stories from his own journey. 3:14 – Talking about ourselves and real aspects of our lives is a way to kick off strong connections 4:00 – Vulnerability is a path to connection 4:23 – By listening and getting to know others on your team, you build a sense of trust, which in turn leads to greater results on performance, quality, safety, and more 5:03 – To show others that you care, you have to actually care 6:36 – To build connections, think about what is important to you, and work with the assumption that others might have feelings similar to yours 8:23 – While modern society gives us the chance to connect with many people, we don't always have the time or capacity to form meaningful connections with every person we encounter   10:15 – By connecting with smaller groups, we have the chance to be a witness to others, and they can be a witness to hear, see, and feel us as we are 11:06 – By investing in others at a deeper level, you can improve productivity and results 12:56 – Being vulnerable and open with your team allows them to see your humanity as a leader 14:38 – By looking at someone and actually seeing them, you can make a major difference, even if you don't have a solution to their problems 16:51 – When people feel seen and heard, they are more likely to show up for you and your organization 20:06 – Even small moments of connection, like making eye contact, go a long way when forming connections 25:54 – Being a witness can help you show up better in all your relationships Connect with Corban David Janai Find Corban online at his website Learn More About HopeGuide here

To make better decisions and increase the overall engagement in your organization or workplace, you need diversity of thought! This is why I'm always so excited to talk to women in manufacturing roles, like Kathy Miller! Kathy has held multiple executive roles in manufacturing, including roles at General Motors, Delphi Automotive Systems, and Rolls-Royce. She was also inducted into the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame in 2021, and has written about her unique journey as a woman in manufacturing in her book Steel Toes and Stilettos. In this episode, Kathy shares more about her experiences and successes as a woman in manufacturing, and shares how both male and female leaders can build stronger connections, find more diverse results, and show up as their most authentic, empowered selves. 3:29 – Steel Toes and Stilettos is inspired by the different roles women play to be both their authentic, feminine selves and hold their own on a shop floor 4:21 – A successful journey in manufacturing requires soft skills, which can be harder to develop than people realize 5:19 – To make a significant cultural transformation stick in your organization, you need to make it feel like it belongs to the employees, and make them feel it with their hands and the hearts 8:23 – To get more women and their perspectives into manufacturing roles, it's important to get women into manufacturing roles at a young age 9:12 – Inclusive environments get better business results 9:35 – Every person in your organization has a heart, a brain, and a set of hands, and you have to tap into all three 11:00 – By giving others an opportunity to contribute, you can find new and better results 13:50 – Kathy's equation for successfully improving plants involves relationships, realities, results, and authenticity 14:45 – Every single relationship matters 16:37 – Face your realities and work on what's in your control 17:27 – Focus on where you are and you'll find results 18:09 – If you're a man in manufacturing, work to amplify female voices 19:05 – Women in manufacturing can also advocate for their authentic selves Connect with Kathy Miller Connect with Kathy on Linkedin Learn more from Kathy and her coauthor Shannon Karels on their website Buy Steel Toes and Stilettos 

“Are you winning?” This is one of my favorite questions to ask when I enter a manufacturing plant, and it's always interesting to see the variety of responses. To learn more about how leaders and their teams can do more to “win the day,” I'm excited to welcome my friend and former neighbor Eric Berdan to the Mindfulness Manufacturing podcast. After years of experience in manufacturing and running factories, Eric now works at the business optimization leader for Nestle North America. In this episode, he shares some great stories about what it takes to win in the manufacturing industry, plus shares tips on how to motivate your team and find productive results. 3:28 – Every person in your organization has a different definition of what it means to win 3:55 – By engaging your team in their daily activities and their goals, you'll find stronger overall success 6:11 – You don't have to be perfect, but you still need to win and set up a winning streak for yourself 7:19 – To achieve results, you need to break your paradigms, be willing to push through challenges, and find ways to motivate others 8:56 – Momentum always plays a key role 10:28 – Let you team work within their own frameworks and set goals that are attainable for them 14:10 – You can't expect everyone to share your goals or reach the same expectations you personally set for yourself 17:54 – By being intentional about how you start your day, you can set yourself up for wins 22:23 – Sometimes, a strong winning streak can actually hurt productivity 24:59 – Understanding how you're doing at work requires many different senses 27:38 – Discretionary effort adds to win and productivity 28:19 – The key to success is tapping into emotion and getting your team emotionally connected to a goal  

“What else can I do to help?” For Susan Baier, the founder and president of Audience Audit, this question changed the trajectory of her career when she received generous assistance as a recent college graduate. She now gives back through her work with Audience Audit, where she helps businesses grow their ROI through transformational thought leadership reputations and stronger marketing. In this episode, Susan joins me to share her story and insights about how leadership can shift their mindset and find ways to be “relentlessly helpful” in their organizations and lives. 2:08 – To be relentlessly helpful, ask other what else you can do to help them and think about what you can do to help the others around you or in your organization 3:44 – Shift your mindset to think about the ways you can have an impact on others 3:54 – We all know things that someone else doesn't know 8:15 – The people with the greatest experiences and the most unique perspectives are often not sharing their information 8:40 – Being generous reaps huge rewards and builds goodwill 10:37 – Being relentlessly helpful can also be a way to break out of your own routine and make yourself feel better about your own role 12:36 – Some days may have more opportunities to be helpful than others, but there are always small gestures you can make or questions you can ask to support others 14:34 – Both overconfidence and a lack of confidence can impact the ability to be relentlessly helpful 14:54 – Organizations, not just individuals, can embrace a culture of relentless helpfulness 18:39 – Learning on the job is a critical component of advancement 19:45 – To understand what is helpful for others, you need to listen and communicate 20:33 – As you shift your mindset, you'll grow your listening skills and find more way to be helpful 22:18 – We often dismiss our own knowledge and forget to think about how our knowledge can be important to someone else, even in a small way 23:34 – Just being open and available for conversation can help others Connect with Susan Baier Audience Audit website Contact Susan      

Have you ever wanted to write a book? Do you want to grow your writing skills or find new ways to use words to inspire your team and grow your organization? If you're ready to take the first steps toward writing a book, AJ Harper is here to help! AJ is an editor, publishing strategist, and former ghostwriter who now uses her skills to help others write transformational books, grow their leadership, and make a unique impact on the world. She shares her methods through workshops like her Top Three Books Workshop, and she is also the author of  Write a Must Read: Crafting a Book That Changes Lives—Including Your Own. In this podcast episode, AJ shares more about Write a Must Read and her experiences as a ghostwriter. She also shares some practical methods manufacturing leaders can use to grow their storytelling skills, whether they're getting ready to write a book or simply looking for new ways to engage their teams. 1:03 – In a previous episode with Michael Port, we talked about speaking and growing your speaking skills to improve your impact in your organization. 2:39 – As a ghostwriter for bestselling books, AJ gained the experiences and insights she now uses to help others craft must-read books 5:01 – Like manufacturing, crafting a good book means developing strong systems and processes 5:30 – By having a strong and repeatable system, you can overcome challenges like self-doubt or your inner critic 6:28 – A key point of strong storytelling is remembering details 6:48 – To remember details you want to write down or share with your team, write them down in your phone or even record them for later 8:33 – Even if you have a very busy schedule, you can still find times in your day to write 9:17 – Writing doesn't have to be daily and you don't have to write a ton of words every day, as long as you find time to write on a regular basis that works for you and your schedule 10:42 – Other people may have already written ideas similar to yours, but the world still hasn't heard it in your unique voice 11:43 – To connect with your audience, you need to put your reader first 13:35 – By using the reader first concept, you can also find better ways to connect and communicate with your team 14:50 – Even by just acknowledging an existing problem or condition, you can still motivate and support your team or audience 16:37 – Think about the hearts and minds of your audience and demographic 19:12 – Having a script is a way to prepare yourself before speaking, even if it's just a few key points 20:42 – Instead of only focusing on your own objective, think about how you want to make others feel 21:35 – Don't expect to be great at first Connect with AJ Harper Visit her website, where you can sign up for her newsletter with more writing tips Learn more in my review of Write a Must-Read

What do manufacturing leaders have in common with performers? More than you think! In this episode, I'm joined by Michael Port, a bestselling author, former professional actor, and the founder of Heroic Public Speaking. Drawing from his experience as an actor and speaker, he joins me in this episode to talk about how leaders can improve their performance skills to heighten their impact, grow their role in their organization, and find the most effective ways to inform, persuade, and motivate their teams. 3:30 – Putting on a performance doesn't necessarily mean showcasing a fake version of yourself, and performances can still be intentional and mindful 5:02: To change what other people do, consider what you make them think and how you make them feel 5:30 – You need to earn the privilege of influencing how others think 8:11 – To be a person who others want to help, you need to create value for them 10:48 – Success is not just about numbers and goalposts, but about growing every single member of your team 12:05 – To build a long-term, sustainable organization, it always comes back to being intentional and thinking about how your team feels and how you make them feel through your leadership and behavior 15:28 – As a leader or manager, you need to be careful and deliberate about what you say on a everyday basis, and think about how others might interpret your words 17:14 – Before starting a conversation, especially in a time of conflict, think about how the other person might react to your words, and what you can say to start an engaging dialogue without them feeling attacked or defensive 18:40 – To increase productivity and create a healthier workplace culture, you need to make your team feel like they're in a safe environment 21:11 – You want to present you team with something that can get excited about, and show them something of value they'll get out of it 22:41 – Along with showing your team members what they'll get from your initiative, you also have to highlight the consequences of not doing it 23:59 – Most people don't really hear you until you're sick of saying the point you want me to hear 25:21 – To be a person who others want to help, you have to show others you can both make and fulfil commitments 29:55 – If you always shut down other's ideas, they will eventually learn to stop coming to you 30:27 – To have productive conversations, you need to keep them moving Connect with Michael Port Heroic Public Speaking website Heroic Public Speaking Substack Follow @HeroicPublicSpeaking on social media  

In episode 92, guest Sylvie di Guisto talked about the factors that go into creating a successful and memorable first impression. One of these factors is appearance, particularly the way we dress. To dig deeper, I'm excited to chat with today's guest, Morgan Wider! Morgan is a personal style expert, speaker, and the founder of Wider Style, as well as the author of Worthy Wardrobe: Your Guide to Style, Shopping, & Soul. Drawing on her decade of leadership experience at major retail giants, she now uses her speaking, consulting, and styling to help others increase their performance through their image. In this podcast, she talks more about why clothing and appearance matters, and how leaders—especially women in male-dominated industries like manufacturing—can use clothes to present themselves in an authentic, appropriate, and self-honoring way. 2:42 – You only have seven seconds to make a strong first impression, and your appearance is typically one of first elements others notice about you 4:03 – By dressing as your authentic self, you also encourage your team to be themselves and show up in their own authentic ways 5:18 – Even if your role requires a uniform, there are still ways to show your own authentic personality and style, like through hair or makeup choices 6:20 – In male-dominated industries like manufacturing, women may feel like they need to blend in with their fashion choices, but this can also keep them from showing up as their most authentic selves 9:12 – In your clothing and appearance, you need to be both authentic and appropriate 10:33 – Make style choices that honor who you are and truly present who you are in the best way possible 11:33 – By being mindful of factors like your body type, age, strengths, and weakness, you can dress in a way that's both appropriate for your role and honors who you are as an individual 12:24 – When you're comfortable and happy with how you look, it improves your productivity and morale, plus makes you feel better and more confident 13:23 – By putting effort into your appearance, you can get yourself into the mindset you need 14:39 – Different audiences and occasions can mean different style choices 18:40 – If you don't put in the effort, it can affect how others perceive you and how you show up 25:30 – As a leader, think about what you can do to create a space than honors diversity 26:58 – If find yourself in a space or role where you can't be your authentic self, it might be time to consider if it's the right space for you Connect with Morgan Wider Website More on her book, The Worthy Wardrobe

On the manufacturing floor, you might not see rabbits being pulled out of hats or people being miraculously levitated, but that doesn't mean there aren't everyday chances to create magical moments. To find out how leaders can create moments of magic, surprise, and delight on the manufacturing floor, I knew I had to go to the expert: Jon Petz, an entrepreneur, speaker, bestselling author, and magician! In this episode, he shares why workplaces need more everyday magic, plus shares insights on how leaders can use intentionality, creativity, and mindfulness to turn simple, everyday moments into important connections. 3:11 – In the workplace, magic is all about creating moments that make your team feel valued, support, and like they're part of something special 4:24 – To create magic, be intentional, lean into organic moments, and create moments of surprise 5:15 – Don't overlook the simple moments 6:31 – Magical moments play a big role in improving productivity and efficiency 10:58 – Purpose drives passion and helps your team find ways to truly engage instead of just getting up in their role 12:39 – You can't always plan for moments of magic, but you can think about what your team needs to feel empowered and supported 15:05 – Deeper conversations drive results and solutions 16:06 – Take a genuine care in your team member's outside of their role in your organization 17:17 – Jon's book recommendation – Work Plus Love by Marcus Buckingham 18:01 – Take steps to truly appreciate and recognize your team 20:45 – You also need to pay attention to other's mindsets and see what they need to feel valued or encouraged 21:36 – With title comes authority, but title does not always come with leadership Connect with Jon Petz Website Buy Significance in Simple Moments, now available in paperback