Accelerating Operational Performance

In this special edition of the Accelerating Operational Performance Podcast, Greg Schinkel shares critical insights gained from his recent manufacturing site visits in 2025. As we enter the new year, Greg discusses the common traps that keep plant operations from reaching their full potential and provides a roadmap for leaders to go from good to great.

On this Accelerating Operational Performance Rewind, Greg Schinkel and Kirk Langford look back at some of the most impactful conversations from the podcast—episodes that resonated most with plant managers, operational leaders, and manufacturing executives.

This episode isn’t about theory. It’s about what actually works on the shop floor and in leadership roles where pressure is real, and results matter.

We revisit insights from guests and colleagues on topics like:

- Taking the work seriously without taking yourself too seriously

- Building psychological safety in manufacturing teams

- Managing competing corporate priorities as a plant leader

- Rewarding effort, not just outcomes

- Addressing toxic behavior to protect culture and performance

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

01:02 – Take the work seriously, not yourself

04:09 – The reality of plant leadership

05:28 – Managing corporate centers of excellence

06:57 – Rewarding the try

09:29 – Overcoming the fear of peak performance

13:19 – Dealing with toxic behavior

17:07 – Getting 1% better

If you found this episode useful:

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If you are interested in the clips, you may be interested in the full episode!

1. https://youtu.be/tONlo100jmk

2. https://youtu.be/8em4CnRl-EU

3. https://youtu.be/dKqoEuP3ZM0

4. https://youtu.be/7YMeyIm6AJc

5. https://youtu.be/KDXcNmQgYIs

Small changes in leadership behavior can create big gains in performance.

Connect with us:

Website: https://uniquedevelopment.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unique-training-&-development-inc-/

Email: [email protected]

    Learn operational leadership lessons from Graphic Packaging EVP Michael Farrell. In this AOP podcast episode, Greg and Michael discuss accountability, breaking silos, and leading with authenticity to drive efficiency and productivity in any manufacturing or operational environment.  

Are you spending thousands on training—forklift certifications, safety modules, and leadership seminars—only to see your "Professional Development" scores tank on the annual employee survey?

You aren't alone. There is a massive disconnect between what HR calls "investment" and what employees call "mandatory compliance."

In this Special Edition of the Accelerating Operational Performance podcast, Greg Schinkel breaks down why traditional training isn't enough. He introduces the concept of Decision-Making Waste—the costly inefficiency that occurs when senior leaders solve problems that should be handled by the frontline.

In this episode, you will learn:

- Why "training" events don't equal "development" in the eyes of your team.

- How to visualize "Decision-Making Waste" in your org chart.

- The Run, Improve, Grow framework for high-performance teams.

- How to apply the 80/20 rule to daily problem-solving.

- The psychology of empowerment: Why fixing problems for your team actually demoralizes them.

- Stop being the bottleneck. Start building a workforce that can run the business without you.

Chapters:

0:00 - Introduction

0:57 - The "Narrow View" of Development

1:23 - Visualizing Decision-Making Waste

2:15 - Empowerment vs. Training

2:54 - The Hierarchy of Value: Run, Improve, Grow

4:24 - The 80/20 Rule for Problem Solving

5:18 - Monkey Management: Stop Taking Your Team's Problems

6:19 - The Psychology of Motivation (Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose)

7:28 - 3 Steps to Build a Better Strategy

Resources Mentioned:

Ken Blanchard - The One Minute Manager Meets The Monkey: https://www.kenblanchardbooks.com/book/the-one-minute-manager-meets-the-monkey/

Dan Pink - Drive: https://www.danpink.com/books/drive/

Visit our website: http://www.uniquedevelopment.com

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: @unique.leadership

The manufacturing workplace is full of pressure, but the real enemy isn't the busy schedule—it’s burnout and the invisible drain of workplace toxicity. In this episode, Greg sits down with certified speaking professional and resilience expert Beverly Beuermann-King to deliver a practical blueprint for leaders and professionals struggling to stay engaged and healthy.

Master the human skills—connection, communication, and creativity—and the leadership skills needed to bridge the skill gaps in manufacturing. In this episode, Greg sits down with the brilliant Emily Nichols, engineer, keynote speaker, and founder of Connect Better Inc. Emily is a rare blend of technical expertise and human connection. She spent two decades improving products and processes from breakfast cereal to automotive paint. Today, her focus has pivoted to restoring the human skills—connection, communication, and creativity—that are still desperately needed in our increasingly technical world.

In Part 2, Ed Holder continues his story, detailing his successful entry into federal politics, his time as a Federal Minister, and his eventual return home to serve as Mayor of London, Ontario.

    In this first part of a powerful two-part interview, Greg sits down with Ed Holder to map his incredible career journey, which holds powerful lessons on resilience, service, and leadership in both business and politics.  

Ysni Semsedini didn't wait for opportunities; he planned his ascent. The CEO of London Hydro joins Greg Schinkel to share his powerful journey from an electrical engineering student to a top executive, outlining the deliberate steps he took to chart his career path and the essential shift every technical expert must make to become a true leader.

Ysni breaks down how he transformed London Hydro's culture from a "low-cost operator" to a "value creator," why a leader's job is to relentlessly remove ambiguity, and how to conquer organizational silos using his "Leads and Ladders" framework.

Whether you're looking to make the leap into management or lead a company through a period of rapid change, Ysni's insights on intentional growth, trusting your gut, and putting people first are invaluable.

0:00 | Introduction

3:50 | First Taste of Accountability

11:58 | The Shift from Expert to Leader

18:10 | Navigating Organizational Change & the Value Creator Mindset

21:05 | Combating Silos with the "Leads & Ladders" Framework

23:45 | Relentless Communication

27:00 | Trusting Your Gut and Finding Your "Unique Ability"

30:15 | Your Career is a Tapestry of Experience

Guest: Ysni Semsedini

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ysni-semsedini-4628b076/

Host: Greg Schinkel

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregschinkel/

Connect with us:

Website: https://uniquedevelopment.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unique-training-&-development-inc-/

Email: [email protected]

This special edition of the Accelerating Operational Performance (AOP) podcast, hosted by Greg Schinkel, explores how to improve the relationship between corporate support functions and manufacturing operations. Learn how to transform this dynamic by combating organizational distractions and establishing a collaborative partnership. Discover practical strategies to make your business more efficient and effective.