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Manufacturing Greatness | Productivity | Retention | Profits | Continuous Improvement | Safety | Workforce Development | Labor Challenges | Skills Gaps | Industry 4.0
Manufacturing Greatness | Productivity | Retention | Profits | Continuous Improvement | Safety | Workforce Development | Labor Challenges | Skills Gaps | Industry 4.0 episodes
- Culture + Accountability for Operations Managers: Creating Open Conversations Instead of Bottling Up Conflict with Troy Corrigan #55
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!
Not all family businesses successfully transition from one generation to the next, so what makes the difference?
In this episode, Troy Corrigan joins the podcast to share lessons on manufacturing leadership, growth mindset, and authentic leadership for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.
Troy talks about the personal adjustments he and his brother had to make to succeed through their team, why accountability and communication skills matter, and how being connected to something bigger than your own business strengthens culture, trust building, and long term performance.
3:20 – the foundation of Corrigan Electric and how it all started, from college to the 4-year apprenticeship program, and decided to get involved in IEC leadership
6:25 – electricians are hands on, and young people can come out debt free, and make great money. Need for the industry is here to stay, look at electric vehicles
9:20 – need to be creative to keep employees
11:25 – cannot throw money to keep people, it is about the personalities, where do you want to be regarding culture
13:02 – they must know you care, by asking questions and being involved with them, open door process and be part of the team. What can we do to help?
14:35 – remind us of what we were taught, recognize when someone needs support, and what action may come out of that conversation. What's going on? Bottled up or blow up.
17:00 – we are all working on how we show up, we are all human. Not just for me, it is for my team that I need to work on myself, learning skills in Leading with Emotional Intelligence
19:02 – conversations create a different experience and that creates culture
19:30 – love the discussions with staff, you always learn something about the person
20:02 – getting aligned with brother and partner Shawn, game changer
21:15 – we must be able to take the feedback from each other, having conversations to call each other out, better result for the team be the role model
21:35 – Trevor personal example of still missing signs, and the power of having someone to call you out
23:45 - gotta invest and take the time and you will have the outcome, and act on what you are learning or being reminded of. Helped me learn and listen. You probably don't think you need it.
25:15 – stay in the zone, practice what you preach, and realize we all make mistakes
Learn more about Corrigan Electric here https://www.corriganelectric.com
27 min - Manufacturing Leadership + Engagement for Operations Managers: Using Your Business as a Vehicle to Serve Others and Build Stronger Teams with Joel Davis #54
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!
Like me, Joel Davis grew up on a farm, starting his business as a small project at 17 and growing it into a multi-division family company in South Carolina with over 100 employees.
In this episode, Joel joins the podcast to share lessons on manufacturing leadership, authentic leadership, and growth mindset for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.
We talk about how putting people first, investing in community, and building trust drives real results. Joel shares practical insights on accountability, communication skills, and culture, and why strong relationships are not just the foundation of his company, they are the outcome.
2:05 – spending more time with your people than you do your family, and when you look forward to helping your people personally and professionally, it no longer feels like a job
4:30 – sometimes things evolve on their own, neighbour to neighbour
5:10 – changed 10 years ago our mission, from providing quality construction service, to wanting to have a positive influence, insight from John Maxwell – 15 invaluable laws of growth
6:10 – challenges turn into growth opportunities, with turnover less than 5% extremely low for the industry, care for the employees! Not the highest paid, but fair, honest, and enjoyable to be around
8:30 – life is too short to put on a show, what transparency looks like in an owner
10:00 - start the morning with a devotional, keep the big thing the big thing
11:00 – Values, respect, innovation, safety, and ethics RISE
11:50 – Hard to find employees like ours – ask Chick-fil-A – Stopped focusing on the resume and skills, and now hire people that want to be part of a team and the right culture fit
14:35 – Referrals from employees still number one, and encourage team members to share and use social media
16:15 – When you are engaged you can grow – Challenge is not getting the business, getting more great people- watch the video focused on their employees the video is real
18:05 – Whole lot easier to be yourself, what is the impact you are having on other people. To break down the walls, you must be open yourself
19:10 – have a positive impact on as many people as we can
19:30 – can deal with mistakes, not a lack of integrity
21:01 - on-boarding new employees is like your relationship with your wife, create opportunities for fellowship and personal interactions to build relationships
22:30 – Community dedication started from the Bible, keeps the mindset of doing for others
24:46 – What do you want your tombstone to say between the dates? What do you want to be remembered by?
Joel's website
https://jdavisgc.com/#about-3
Watch the great video on Joel's culture!
https://jdavisinc.com/culture/
27 min - Curiosity for Frontline Supervisors: Asking Better Questions to Improve Engagement and Daily Performance #53
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!
Two years in, and this podcast is still going strong thanks to you. No sponsors. Just curiosity, courage, and a shared commitment to better manufacturing leadership.
In this solo episode, I reflect on what we've learned together and what Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors need to think differently about moving forward.
We cover manufacturing leadership, growth mindset, communication skills, and authentic leadership, plus why staying curious, strengthening accountability, and having deeper conversations are essential for improving team performance, engagement, and results as we head into a new year.
16 min - Manufacturing Culture + Engagement for HR Leaders: Building Social Capital Through Mindful Influence to Strengthen Team Performance with Vivian Blade #52
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 manufacturing, we spend plenty of time planning capital budgets and assembly lines. In this episode, we shift the focus to something just as powerful: social capital.
Vivian Blade joins the podcast to talk manufacturing leadership, trust building, and authentic leadership for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.
With a background in Lean Six Sigma and talent development, Vivian shares why relationships matter more than ever, how values-driven leadership impacts retention, and why today's workforce is searching for organizations that truly align with who they are. You will walk away with practical insights on communication skills, engagement, and building influence that drives long term team performance.
3:53 - Old way of thinking with command and control, do as I say.
4:29 – People want to be more involved in their workplace, making decisions and contributing in valuable ways.
4:59 - Leading with influence and engaging people, rather than leading by dictating and telling people what to do.
7:56 – Giving people leeway and coaching them through.
9:59 – Leading as a coach and guide at a level of influence.
12:39 – Think about how you can selflessly add value to others.
16:06 – How are people being measured and are your measuring outcomes as a team or individuals.
18:29 – What are you measuring, are you measuring individual goals or the collective effort. it is truly having on your organization, and the health and well-being of your people.24:59- How do we turn this ship around from a people standpoint, which is your most important asset.
26:52 – What people want today is the authenticity from leaders.
Connect with Vivian!
https://vivianblade.com https://InfluenceWithScale.com https://ResilienceReady.today LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivianblade/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/VivianBlade Influence in Talent Development on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mC8z4B Resilience Ready: The Leader's Guide to Thriving Through Unrelenting Crises on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3s4pSvC31 min - Productivity for Operations Managers: Using Economic Perspective to Improve Decision-Making and Team Performance with Jim Ray #51
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 this episode, Jim joins the podcast to talk manufacturing leadership, communication skills, and growth mindset for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.
Jim helped get Mindfulness Manufacturing up and running as a professional podcast, saving days of frustration and time. We also talk small business strategy, accountability, and why having the right support systems in place matters for productivity, clarity, and long term success. If you're looking to strengthen your leadership presence and simplify how you show up in your business, this conversation delivers.
1:33 - When you look at the economy you have inflation rising, issues with supply chain, it will take a long time to work its way out.
1:51 – People are getting a little nervous, I think that it is at the business level but also at the household level and you can bring it into the office.
3:19 – One of the things that is going to enable any business to succeed is their ability to communicate effectively, it will always come down to that.
3:40 – True leader need to be super cognizant even more than you have been. About what you say and what you hear, because there is going to be a lot of questions and people are nervous.
5:06 – It's ok to raise your hand and say I don't have all the answers right now, but the authenticity, honesty, and integrity that you back it up with will carry the day and help sooth people's nerves.
5:33 - Leaders need to be cognizant to allow people to voice their concerns.
6:07 – The one thing that is going to enable a company regardless of the balance sheet, or the economy is the people. The people in the business are what will make it win or lose.
12:54- What worked in the past I don't believe will work in the next 12 months.
14:28 – Allow people to arrive to the answer and they will have a stake in it.
17:12 - It's ok to be nervous and scared about things, it's ok to have those feeling it's what you do with those feeling that will determine your success or failure.
17:53 – Cultivating advisers outside your normal channels will make all the difference, especially when things get more difficult.
22:22- Making sure your team is diverse is a strength, and the smart companies are the ones that are cognizant of that and are working towards those goals.
25 min - Manufacturing Retention + Engagement for HR Leaders: Turning the Great Resignation into Long-Term Workforce Commitment with Debbie Muno #50
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!
Debbie Muno of Genos International joins the podcast to share insights from 25 years of assessment experience and why retaining today's workforce means getting comfortable with making average uncomfortable.
In this episode, we talk manufacturing leadership, employee engagement, emotional intelligence, and accountability for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.
Debbie breaks down practical strategies for engaging the people you already have, strengthening communication skills, and building trust so leaders can improve retention, motivation, and team performance on the shop floor.
2:26 The last couple of years have really been a steak in the ground to make life changing decisions.
2:53 What is important in their lives? and how the world of work fits into what is important in their lives.
3:01 Friends that are energized and engaged, has to do with their work and has to do with how they are treated in the workplace.
3:36 Those who do not feel connected are making changes.
3:47 The world of work will never be the same.
5:08 People want to be valued and appreciated and empowered to get their work done.
6:31 It is all about how connected I feel, do I feel appreciated? do I feel valued? and am I engaged in my organization?
8:38 People feel empowered by being able to make choices.
9:19 75% of people leave their job because of their boss.
10:20 We never forget how people make us feel.
12:36 We don't realize the tiny incremental shifts can create massive outcomes.
16:23 If I was totally present in a conversation what difference would it make?
18:16 Putting your phones down as soon as you get into conversation.
20:42 Top performers do their job and carry the weight of low performers and they don't get the acknowledgment.
24:54 Organizations are realizing programs are needed to help enhance well-being and enhance people's ability to become more mindful.
27:09 It is critical to be present and mindful
Contact Debbie directly at [email protected] or at https://www.genosnorthamerica.com
34 min - Manufacturing Leadership + Accountability for Production Managers: Becoming the Thermostat That Sets the Tone for Team Performance P2 with Mike Forhan #49
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!
2:09 Walking in and being judgmental and pointing out all the stuff that is easy, like these guys that are perpetual list makers.
2:55 At Crossover we would not tell you what to do unless we are willing to do it ourselves.
3:32 We are always learning and don't have all the answers but have enough to get started.
3:53 Holding people accountable is all part of the right outcome.
4:12 "How the heck did they get here?" "What's so wrong that here's where we're at?" "Why did the emotion of a situation get so elevated?"
5:39 Make sure we protect the customer and support the employees of that organization.
7:14 Often times we are not given all the tools to be successful at the start, but find the best way to support.
12:52 We look for a way forward that is meaningful for everyone involved.
15:12 The experience and bandwidth to lend that type of help that is truly required. Something Crossover can support with speed and precision.
16:57 It's not necessary to say you know how you are going to help me; "it's why you think you can help me."
18:51 First step is somebody realizing and recognizing that they potentially need help, this is a huge step and it takes courage.
25:11 Authentic self and how you show up today is extremely important.
Contact Michael at [email protected] Website xosol.com
28 min - Manufacturing Leadership + Accountability for Production Managers: Becoming the Thermostat That Sets the Tone for Team Performance with Mike Forhan #48
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!
With over 30 years across multiple manufacturing environments, Michael Forhan has seen organizational transformation at its most intense.
In this episode, Michael, President and Managing Partner at Crossover Solutions, joins the podcast to talk manufacturing leadership, resilience in manufacturing, and authentic leadership for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.
We dig into staying mindful during supplier interventions and crisis moments of potential shutdown, plus how communication skills, emotional intelligence, and growth mindset help leaders navigate pressure while protecting team performance and morale. The conversation was so good, we split it into two episodes.
2:24 How do you mentor? How do you walk into situations under the gun?
2:57 Thoughtful and respectful of what is going on, and bringing sense of calmness, understanding and listening.
3:40 Benchmark of what performance should be and measure the performance, listen to how the company got to where they are is just as important.
5:09 Being calm and provide clarity to situation and how to work our way out of situation.
5:59 Walking in with a sense of listening to understand and rational what is going on, with standard of expectation off data.
7:03 Temperatures do get high particularly when put in by client, supplier has more anxiety.
7:28 Why 3rd party put in by OEM to understand actual risk and help figure out our way out.
11:25 Tornado ripped through plant and ripped the roof off, but we still needed to build parts.
11:59 We are there to help and not criticize, use helpful approach and getting thing calm and cool to temperature, rolling our sleeves up to help and not using a hammer.
15:16 What do we know for sure? Let's ground each other.
15:32 Can you trust someone that does not care about you? How do you build that trust?
22:25 Rebuild relationship and trust between client and supplier.
Contact Michael at [email protected]
Website
xosol.com
26 min - Manufacturing Culture + Engagement for Frontline Supervisors: Leading Raw, Real, and Relevant Conversations That Improve Team Performance #47
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!
Raw, Real, and Relevant with Trevor & Dave
00:00 – Introduction 00:30 – Enjoy the moment and enjoy the new things; Dave Baker will be moving on01:39 – 3 things known to be true
02:50 – Always be raw, real, and relevant and the rest will take care of itself
03:30 – Editing and Clean up – keeping it real
06:00 – Polished vs. Real
06:33 – Raw defined
07:14 – Real defined
08:56 – Relevant defined
09:50 – Overdoing it
13:28 – When others see you as raw, real, and relevant
14:50 – When you go home are you a different person?
18:15 – A platform for living with no regrets
20:00 – Being at peace in being who you are
21:25 – Keeping it all in context - Ecclesiastes
22:53 – A Relevant example
23:56 – Living in Fear
24:57 – Keeping it all in context
27:16 – Maintain your sense of humor
29:28 – Mindfulness in manufacturing
30:17 – Closing
30:54 - End
31 min - Self-Awareness + Engagement for Frontline Supervisors: Using Reflection to Build Confidence and Stronger Team Connections with Nikki Langman #46
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 you haven't listened to episode 44, head back and catch my first conversation with Nikki Langman. In this episode, Nikki returns to talk about stress in manufacturing and how leaders can build resilience by reconnecting to their core values and checking in with themselves.
We explore manufacturing leadership, resilience in manufacturing, growth mindset, and authentic leadership for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.
Nikki shares practical strategies to strengthen emotional intelligence, improve communication skills, and support both short term and long term workforce stability while navigating pressure on the shop floor.
1:17 What are the core values in the business, that we're going to stick to no matter what?
1:40: When push comes to shove at the end of the day, there are decisions that we look back on and think, was I was true to who I am or I did I go against my core values
2:39 Self awareness and core values are two of the most pressing topics that any industry needs to be talking about
3:09 Leave your personal ideas at the door and put on your armor, no way!
4:55 My history of being a recovering alcoholic, and this is something that I never brought into the workplace until a few years ago
6:49 I think that's the heart of self-awareness and core values really lies is in our ability to be honest with ourselves
7:43 We are struggling with external pressure and our internal ways of coping with it and our ability to be honest with ourselves
9:27 There are things that we can do in the short term to relieve the pressures we're feeling
10:35 Might be starting to feel untenable with our employees or even desire to want to be a part of that company
11:05 Look at the person in the mirror and just be have an honest chat to say all right, gloves off, and be honest with yourself
12:45 What does okay look like to you? Why are we tempted to use this bland word, ok, when we know that having a strong emotional vocabulary is one of the keys to emotional self
19:21 If people start seeing the results of your behaviors, then that is either going drive you deeper into that behavior or it's going to be a wake-up call for you
27:18 Can you help me understand the impact I have had on you and how we can move forward and assist each other to be more present?
29 min
About Manufacturing Greatness | Productivity | Retention | Profits | Continuous Improvement | Safety | Workforce Development | Labor Challenges | Skills Gaps | Industry 4.0
From the publisher's feed
Whether you're a plant manager, operations manager, or frontline supervisor, you'll discover practical strategies for lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. We cover critical topics like workforce development, employee retention, safety culture, and change management—helping you navigate challenges like labor shortages, skills gaps, and the evolving manufacturing landscape including Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing.
Trevor Blondeel invites guests from the manufacturing industry (and beyond!) to have candid discussions about leadership and share stories from a place of experience, transparency, and authenticity. You'll find new ways to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have acheiving greater retention, productivity, and profits.