Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor's monthly newsletter.

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Do you dread Mondays or feel constant pressure to keep up on the manufacturing floor? You may be dealing with burnout, a growing challenge tied to chronic workplace stress.

In this episode, Nina Nesdoly, expert in neuroscience and organizational behavior, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, resilience, and employee engagement for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Team Leaders, and Shift Supervisors.

Nina explains how emotional intelligence, communication skills, and growth mindset help leaders reduce burnout and strengthen trust building. You will learn practical strategies to support workforce retention, improve productivity, and create manufacturing cultures where people feel supported, focused, and energized to perform.

2:43 – Burnout is different from just feeling tired or overwhelmed at work, and there are three major characteristics that set it apart from regular feelings of stress

2:50 – The first symptom of burnout is physical exhaustion, including physical symptoms like headaches and muscle tension

3:13 – The second symptom is cynicism and depersonalization

4:20 – The third and most difficult to spot symptom is professional efficacy, or a feeling like you and your work are not good enough

6:01 – When you tried to compensate for feeling like you're bad at your job or not meeting expectations, it can actually fed into the cycle of burnout

7:21 – The difference between stress and burnout is that stress is your body's response to demands in your environment, while burnout is the consequences of chronic stress built up over time

8:46 – Over time, burnout can change your brain and make it harder to regulate your emotions and stress response

10:16 – To combat and prevent burnout, evaluate when you're putting your energy and how you're expending your energy

11:25 – Oftentimes, we are the ones putting unnecessary stress on ourselves

12:45 – When you're feeling stressed, it's important to connect with others, and there are even hormones in your body that will push you toward wanting to connect with people

14:25 – To say yes to some things, you have to say no to others

15:34 – By being intentional about when you say no, you can make sure you have the time and energy to say yes to the projects that really serve your organization

16:36 – Thinking about your goals is another way to combat burnout, as we can get stuck in the same stressful trajectory

17:30 – If you find yourself in a position that doesn't align with your values or goals, have the courage to say reevaluate and say no

18:50 – You can practice saying no in low stakes situations

19:32 – You can also practice the 24-hour rule to give yourself more time to evaluate a situation before saying yes or no

21:30 – There are also alternatives to saying no, like telling someone you need to shift your priorities or that if you do one task, it means you won't be able to get to another

22:54 – To combat burnout, you need to REST, or recognize, evaluate, say no, and take care of yourself

33:00 – You can't focus on everything at once, so be intentional about how you use your time

Connect with Nina Nesdoly

Find her on Instagam and Tiktok @WorkplaceClarity

Website

LinkedIn

Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor's monthly newsletter.

Now, let's jump in!

You only have seconds to make a strong first impression, and on the manufacturing floor those moments can shape trust, engagement, and performance.

In this episode, Sylvie di Giusto, consultant, author, and international keynote speaker, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, communication skills, and emotional intelligence for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Team Leaders, and Shift Supervisors.

Sylvie explains how self awareness, authentic leadership, and growth mindset help leaders overcome bias and strengthen trust building. You will learn practical strategies for feedback delivery, difficult conversations, and employee engagement that support workforce retention and create manufacturing cultures where meaningful connections drive productivity and results.

3:19 – In the first seven seconds of a new conversation, we all make up to eleven major decisions about the other person

4:21 – We all have unconscious biases, which are built on our past experiences

4:33 – One of these is confirmation bias, which is when we search for something to show that our initial opinion about someone was correct

4:47 – Another is anchoring bias, where we cannot get rid of information or perceptions we already have

5:04 – Overall, there are around 185 biases that influence our decisions every single day

6:11 – To form stronger relationships and get rid of biases, take a step back from your own mindset and stay curious in conversations with others

7:39 – In a diverse industry like manufacturing, first impressions are particularly important, and you will have interactions with a wide variety of people, from clients to your team on the floor

8:37 – First impressions are also especially important for women in the manufacturing industry, since it's a traditionally male-dominated industry

10:24 – Instead of letting your gender drive other's first impression of you, make sure they see your experience, expertise, skills, confidence, and leadership

11:53 – Making a strong first impression comes down to five elements, or the ABCDEs of making a good impression

12:00 - A is for appearance, or the way you look, dress, and present yourself

13:21 – B stands for behavior, which includes factors like your attitude, your charisma, and your mindset and ethics

14:15 – C is for communication, and this also includes your listening skills

15:44 – While making a first impression, it's important to always do your best, even if you make mistakes in those first seven seconds

17:30 – Your reputation is what people say behind your back, not what they say to your face

18:05 – Authenticity is a lie

18:58 - You can show up different ways in different roles, but you are still the same person throughout your day

20:10 – Your core values don't change throughout your day, but you just deliver them differently in different situations, like when interacting with your children or with your team on the floor

21:21 – The first 11 words of a conversation play a huge role in creating a first impression, but many of us waste them on small talk

22:00 – In the ABCDEs of first impression, the D refers to how your digital footprint and how you present yourself in the digital space like social media

24:22 – E is for environment, or how factors like your office space, car, and family reflect on you

25:00 – By focusing on factors you can control, like your appearance, you can take the steps toward making a strong first impression and forging great connections

Connect with Sylvie di Guisto

Website

Take the free Perception Audit Quiz

Learn more about Sylvie's new book, Discover Your Fair Advantage

Reach you to Sylvie on social media and let her know you loved the podcast!

Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor's monthly newsletter.

Now, let's jump in!

If leadership is not connected to the shop floor, miscommunication, productivity loss, and disengagement follow. Strong manufacturing results start with strong connections from the top to the frontline.

In this episode, Jason A. Hunt, leadership educator and manufacturing problem solving expert, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, communication skills, and employee engagement for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Team Leaders, and Shift Supervisors.

Jason explains how delegation, strategic thinking, and authentic leadership strengthen trust building and accountability. You will learn practical strategies for root cause analysis, feedback delivery, and growth mindset that improve productivity, support workforce retention, and create manufacturing cultures where teams think critically and stay aligned.

3:17 – When you're a leader, it's all too easy to set out to solve one problem, then get distracted by another problem and forget to solve the first issue

4:53 – Many leaders believe they have to have the answer to every problem, and feel like always having the answers is part of their job or what makes them important as a leader

5:58 – By always solving problems, leaders may actually be taking away valuable opportunities for their team members to learn, grow, and develop their own problem-solving skills

7:33 – Delegating can mean the difference between losing three minutes or losing three hours

9:36 – When you ask people to solve their own problems, they may pushback or be upset at first, but it's a valuable opportunity for them to learn how to think critically and come up with their own solutions

15:12 – Leadership is about far more than your title, your knowledge, and your ability to manage others

16:08 – If the front of a train is moving ahead without connecting with the other boxcars, it's not going to get to its destination

18:15 – Instead of solely focusing on KPIs or getting your products out the door, think about what you can do to connect with your team and really develop your relationships

21:29 Turn This Ship Around by L. David Marquet is a good resource for leaders

23:23 – To build better connections, shift your mindset and spend more time thinking about how you can build relationships with others

Connect with Jason A. Hunt

Website

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn

My book review of Turn This Ship Around

Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor's monthly newsletter.

Now, let's jump in!

Have you ever felt unheard when sharing something important with your team? Communication breakdowns can limit engagement, productivity, and trust on the manufacturing floor.

In this episode, Sandy Gerber, author of Emotional Magnetism and communication expert, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, communication skills, and employee engagement for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Team Leaders, and Shift Supervisors.

Sandy explains how emotional intelligence, active listening, and authentic leadership strengthen trust building and accountability. You will learn practical strategies for difficult conversations, feedback delivery, and growth mindset that support workforce retention and create manufacturing cultures where relationships thrive and teams communicate with clarity and purpose.

3:11 – To get your message across, you need to connect emotionally with the person you're speaking to

4:39 – Oftentimes, we're too busy listening to rely that we forget to listen to understand

5:00 – When someone is telling you a story or about an experience, let them finish what they have to say instead of responding with your own story

9:23 – SAVE is an acronym for the four emotional magnets, safety, achievement, value, and experience

11:58 – SAVE and emotional magnets can be used to improve personal relationships as well as professional relationships

12:42 – To understand another person's emotional magnet, you may have to shift your mindset and think about the best way to communicate with them

16:35 – Once you understand someone's emotional magnets, you can approach conversations and conflict with more empathy and curiosity, which helps form stronger, lasting connections

20:00 – If you really want to connect with your team, you need to be engaged and open about your own communication blocks

20:59 – Taking the emotional magnets quiz can be a great exercise for strengthening your relationships and finding out more about yourself

22:29 – By getting rid of your own biases and assumptions about others, you take a big step toward improving relationships and understanding others

24:05 – By identifying your own emotional magnet, you can also get better at communicating what you need

Connect with Sandy Gerber

Website

Take the Emotional Magnet Quiz here

Buy Emotional Magnetism

Read my book report on Emotional Magnetism

Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor's monthly newsletter.

Now, let's jump in!

In today's fast paced manufacturing environment, leaders are feeling stretched thin as expectations around productivity, performance, and people continue to rise.

In this episode, Sara Canaday, author and leadership development coach, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, resilience, and employee engagement for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Team Leaders, and Shift Supervisors.

Sara explains how emotional intelligence, communication skills, and growth mindset help leaders manage stress and prevent burnout. You will learn practical strategies for strategic thinking, trust building, and workforce retention that support productivity, strengthen relationships, and create manufacturing cultures where leaders and teams have the energy, focus, and accountability needed to perform at their best.

2:16 – Leaders are meant to ignite fires, not constantly put them out. If you're a leader who finds yourself constantly acting as a firefighter, it's time to reconnect with the meaning of your role.

3:22 – We're conditioned from a young age to be productive and to feel like we're only valuable if we're doing something, which impacts the way we lead and show up in the workplace

4:40 – Even when you're doing nothing, your mind is still very productive, which is why it's important to take a strategic pause to declutter your mind, find more clarity, and make better decisions and better serve your team

7:43 – Deep discovery and creative problem-solving can't fully happen when we're multitasking

8:26 – It can be helpful to reach out to others and let them add structure to your thinking and gain a broader prospective

9:40 – You have more control and agency over your own time than you think you do

10:00 – To gain more control over your time, dig deeper into your schedule and challenge yourself to think about what is the most important. For example, you could start skipping meetings that you don't really need to be at, or send someone else to takes notes for you.

10:25 – Instead of just thinking about your to-do list, consider starting a list of things you can stop doing or delegate to someone else on your team

10:48 – As a leader, you have an obligation to think about how your can use your time in a way that best serves your team and your clients

11:43 – A change in scenery, like a stop at a coffeeshop on your way to your plant, is a great way to shift your mindset and build productive new habits

13:50 – Leaders should be responsive, but they also have to clearly show their priorities to themselves and the rest of their organization

15:05 – Leaders deal with exponential and even sometimes unrealistic expectations, especially when it comes to solving problems and facilizing productive conversations about important issues like social justice and employee mental health

16:08 – Leaders are doers and drivers, but they are also human beings and there's only so much they can do

16:30 – There are many things team and organizations can do to support their leaders, including thinking about the most important priorities or even hiring someone to help with some of the leader's other tasks

17:39 – Instead of impressing others, spend more time on thinking about what they really need to feel support and healthy in their role

20:00 – Shifting your mindset starts with putting aside your own biases and anything else that is clouding your judgment

20:43 – After putting aside your assumptions, spend more time discovering new, time-saving solutions by staying curious and seeking out productive, unbiased conversations with others

22:43 – If you're not sure about something, don't be afraid to just ask

23:00 – It takes courage to ask for what you need, but it's important to find ways to protect your time and energy

23:42 – Leaders deserve a better experience, and a good experience can create a domino effect that positively impacts the rest of their team

Connect with Sara Canaday

Website

LinkedIn

Sara's LinkedIn Learning courses

Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor's monthly newsletter.

Now, let's jump in!

To improve behavior and performance on the manufacturing floor, leaders need clear, actionable feedback. But giving and receiving feedback is not always easy in fast paced environments.

In this episode, Brian Houp, leadership development coach and 360 feedback expert, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, feedback delivery, and employee engagement for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Team Leaders, and Shift Supervisors.

Brian explains how communication skills, emotional intelligence, and authentic leadership strengthen trust building and accountability. You will learn practical strategies for difficult conversations, growth mindset, and workforce development that support productivity, improve retention, and create manufacturing cultures where continuous improvement becomes part of daily leadership.

2:15 – Feedback is more than a buzzword

2:44 – 360 Feedback is based around the individual and getting a stronger understanding of how others in your organization see you as a leader or team member

3:49 – How feedback is set-up and delivered can make a huge difference between having a negative or positive experience

4:44 – Confidentiality also plays a big role in 360 Feedback and only other type of constructive criticism

6:56 – As a leader, if you don't tell someone you want them to improve their behavior, then they have no idea of knowing there is an issue or area or improvement

7:24 – Feedback focuses on the past, but you can also look toward the future by giving feed forward and offering specific suggestions or advice others can use to improve their behavior

9:00 – To encourage others to share feedback, sometimes you need to think about the language and phrasing you're using when asking for feedback

10:36 – You should also consider who you're asking for feedback, and who in your organization you should talk to get the best feedback about a certain team member or problem on the floor

11:30 – People show up differently in front of different people, so be sure to get a wide range of feedback from different people, like executive, team members, or even vendors or clients who frequently interact with someone

14:55 – When you get feedback about your own behavior, take some time to digest and analyze it, but also get back out on the floor with your team and observe to get a stronger idea of what the feedback is talking about

16:44 – Sometimes, all you need is a new or fresh context

17:35 – It's natural to feel nervous or even scared about hearing feedback

18:16 – Many leaders focus on their team members who need the most improvement, but don't forget to also give feedback to the stronger members of your organization to help them get to the next level

20:00 – To get the best feedback, your whole team or organization needs to commit, especially supervisors and others in leadership positions

22:07 – Getting good feedback often also requires time and patience

25:41 – With feedback, you get what you give

Connect with Brian Houp

Website

LinkedIn

Brian's Forbes article on 360 Feedback

Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor's monthly newsletter.

Now, let's jump in!

Personality assessments like DiSC and Myers Briggs can help manufacturing leaders better understand how they show up on the shop floor and how their leadership style impacts engagement and performance.

In this episode, Christy Smallwood, speaker and author, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, emotional intelligence, and employee engagement for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Team Leaders, and Shift Supervisors.

Christy explains how self awareness, communication skills, and authentic leadership strengthen trust building and accountability. You will learn practical strategies to improve feedback delivery, support workforce retention, and create manufacturing cultures where leaders connect more effectively with their teams and drive stronger productivity and results.

1:54 – There are many reasons for manufacturing leaders to consider implementing personality assessments

2:29 – One major benefit of personality assessments is learning your communication style and the communication style of others on your team – this helps you understand what you need to do to get the best results from conversations

3:32 – "We don't see the world as it is, we see it as we are"

5:03 – As a leader, it's important to take advantage of any tools you can use to better connect with your team, including personality assessments

5:14 – There are many different types of personality assessments to choose from, and you can pick something that best suits your team or organization

5:53 – One type of personality assessments is the DiSC assessment

7:26 – Some personality types assign an animal to go along with different personality traits

9:40 – If someone is acting differently from their normal personality type, it could be a sign they're dealing with an issue, like a family problem outside of work

10:55 – In a personality test, there is no wrong answer

11:43 – When people have different personalities, it may sometimes lead to conflict or miscommunications – this is why it's important to understand why others behave the way they do based on their personality

14:00 – With understanding, even people with vastly different personality types can get along

16:19 – Your personality type impacts the way you show up on a daily basis

18:31 – The COVID-19 pandemic has made personality assessments more important than ever

20:00 – By understanding a team member's personality, you'll have a better awareness of what they need to feel energized or supported

25:00 – We all have different aspects of our personalities

Connect with Christy Smallwood

Website

Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor's monthly newsletter.

Now, let's jump in!

Do you want to improve accountability and encourage autonomy on the manufacturing floor? It starts with asking better questions.

In this episode, Jeff Nally, president of Nally Group Inc. and leadership coach, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, accountability, and employee engagement for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Team Leaders, and Shift Supervisors.

Jeff explains how communication skills, strategic thinking, and authentic leadership help leaders strengthen trust building and support growth mindset. You will learn practical strategies for feedback delivery, difficult conversations, and workforce development that empower teams, improve productivity, and create manufacturing cultures where people take ownership and perform at their best.

1:52 - Many leaders think that their team members simply want to be told what to do

2:12 - The #1 thing teams want from their leaders is a clear picture of the mission and vision

2:33 - When people know the "end game," they are more likely to follow instructions, be more autonomous, and find more success

3:25 - Leaders need to communicate their mission and goals to their team

3:39 - Leaders also need to be great storytellers

4:00 - If you don't believe in your mission and vision, your team won't either

7:06 - To really show off your mission and vision, weave it into your everyday behavior and actions

7:16 - As a leader, you can help your team by asking the right questions

8:10: Ask simple question like "are you finished with this task? How close to completion are you? What do you need to get it done?" to hold your team accountable

11:00 - Don't be afraid to ask "feelings" questions

11:52 - Support questions, like "what can I do to help you meet your goal?" are also very important for growing and encouraging your team

13:28 - If you hold your team accountable, you know they'll get the job done without you having to stay constantly involved

16:29 - You can also ask about concerns and apprehensions

19:58 - When a team is autonomous, it doesn't mean their leader has abandoned them

Connect with Jeff Nally

The Nally Group

LinkedIn

Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor's monthly newsletter.

Now, let's jump in!

In high risk environments like manufacturing, poor behavior and unmanaged emotions can quickly impact safety, quality, and productivity.

In this episode, Shawn Dawley, former Air Force pilot and president of OT2 Consulting, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, emotional intelligence, and team dynamics for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Team Leaders, and Shift Supervisors.

Drawing from his combat aviation experience, Shawn explains how communication skills, self awareness, and authentic leadership strengthen trust building and accountability. You will learn practical strategies for difficult conversations, growth mindset, and workforce development that improve employee engagement, reduce errors, and create manufacturing cultures where teams stay focused, resilient, and aligned.

0:42 – Leadership is all about the balance between intellect and emotions

2:17 – In the aviation industry, crew relationships and emotions play a critical role in the safety and success of each flight

5:52 – Processes can only get better when there is a healthy environment and a positive organizational dynamic where people can point out issues and speak their mind

7:00 – If a leader is in a bad mood or creating a hostile environment, others might be less willing to draw attention to issues or voice their feedback

12:23 – Poor decision-making does just happen when you're angry—it can even happen when you're euphoric or excited

13:32 – When you're at your "emotional worst," it can be very difficult to make important decisions

14:42 – We all have emotions and "triggers" that make us feel certain ways—how we react is what sets up apart

16:15 –What role does our nervous system play in making us feel emotions or have specific reactions to stressful situations?

17:57 – By recognizing your triggers and response, you can improve your behavior and emotional intelligence

19:06 – Even if you give the exact same feedback to two different team members, it will land differently to each of them because they have different life experiences

20:56 – To understand a team member's behavior reactions, form a relationship and find out more about their past experiences

21:56 – Leadership is innate to the human condition

23:16 – Take the time to listen to what others have to say

25:01 – Think about the qualities of people you admire—are you showing those same qualities to your own team?

Connect with Shawn Dawley

Website

Shawn would also love to hear your feedback! Find him on Linkedin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnmdawley to stay connected.

Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor's monthly newsletter.

Now, let's jump in!

Do you want to eliminate drama on the manufacturing floor and create a more focused, productive workplace?

In this episode, Cy Wakeman, president and founder of Reality Based Leadership and bestselling author, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, employee engagement, and accountability for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Team Leaders, and Shift Supervisors.

Cy explains how communication skills, self awareness, and growth mindset help leaders reduce workplace drama, strengthen trust building, and improve productivity. You will learn practical strategies for difficult conversations, feedback delivery, and authentic leadership that support workforce retention and create manufacturing cultures where people stay focused on results instead of distractions.

1:30 – To avoid drama—and your own ego—approach every situation by considering what you know for sure

3:30 – It's easy to fall into situations where you believe someone else is the villain or that you're doing the right thing, which is why it's important to consider facts, mindsets, and what details you know for sure

9:07 – The power of self-reflection is the ultimate drama diffuser

10:19 – Instead of judging or making assumptions, approach situations with curiosity, patience, and grace

11:49 – By extending an invitation instead of a lecture, you can "call people up to greatness."

13:20 – "As the leader goes, so does the team."

15:05 – If something happens that's unpreferred, you need to step up and impact it

20:02 – As a leader, you can set an example and set your team up to avoid drama

21:32 – By setting a strong leadership example and empowering your team, you can find productive solutions while still maintaining healthy boundaries and not falling into the trap of being a "fixer" for everyone's problems

23:05 – A question to ask yourself: if I see behavior I don't want, how am I enabling it?

24:29 – When you quit buffering your team member's relationship with reality, they will make better choices

29:32 – To get through to others, state reality and ask for what you really need

33:16 – As a leader, you can only make the invitation—it's up to others to decide what to do with that invitation

34:59 – With the correct leader, your team will step into brilliance most of the time

35:16 – If you have drama in your workplace, it's because people are venting instead of self-reflecting

Connect with Cy Wakeman

LinkedIn

Reality-Based Leadership Website

Newsletter

Read Trevor's book review on No Ego