In manufacturing, it often feels like there's nothing more importance than performance. If they want to move up in their career, leaders are told to hit their targets, keep the line running, and solve problems as quickly as possible. But in reality, performance alone rarely drives real career growth. If you want to actually grow in your manufacturing career, it's time to put more emphasis on visibility, curiosity, and building stronger relationships.

Learn more in this episode with guest Susan M. Barber, a former Fortune 500 leader with over 25 years of experience at Kraft Heinz. She's also the author of The Visibility Factor: Break Through Your Fears, Stand in Your Own Power, and Become the Authentic Leader You Were Meant To Be, which helps leaders build authentic visibility, overcome imposter syndrome, and close the gap between performance and recognition. In this episode, she gives a behind-the-scenes look at some of the key lessons from The Visibility Factor, plus shares stories and insights manufacturing leaders can use to grow their careers.

1:40 – Performance matters in manufacturing, but career growth depends on more than just shop floor results 5:15 – Voice matters in leadership meetings 7:10 – Thoughtful questions are a powerful way for manufacturing leaders to build credibility and influence 10:45 – Louder voices often gain exposure over quiet high performers 12:55 - Leaders must go beyond their job descriptions to demonstrate readiness for the next level in manufacturing 15:05 - Trust, relationships, and visibility all play a role in how promotion decisions are made 16:55 - Ask for what you want and "do the job to get the job" before the title arrives 19:05 - The 10–30–60 framework highlights how performance, image, and exposure drive career success 22:45 – Psychological safety, authenticity, and confidence are key factors in leadership visibility 25:40 – By reflecting on past visibility successes and missed opportunities, leaders can understand what holds them back

Connect with Susan M. Barber

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