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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
- Resilience for Operations Managers: Helping Teams Push Through Tough Times and Sustain Performance with Rick Ezell #35
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!
00:00 – Introduction 00:29 – We're all wound up and need to unpack
01:33 – Rick Ezell; a workplace Chaplain
02:19 – The "boss's role"
02:46 – Unpacking vs. Venting
03:35 - Work, Personal, and Relational issues
04:25 – The Paradox
05:25 – The impact of time, expertise, and geography
06:11 – The proven need to talk, be reassured, and reminded
08:55 – Listening for the trends
09:30 – Advice for leaders without the luxury of an onsite Chaplaincy service
11:14 – The rules and value of a "listening session"
12:53 – % of conversations at work tend to be about personal and relationships
15:12 – Anecdotal evidence for leader's job requirements rarely recognized nor assessed
18:00 – The peril of ignoring the non-work-related issues
19:21 – The value of transparency and empathy
21:11 – Healthier people make better employee
24:40 – A manager's role in partnering with others
26:29 – A renewing of the mind
27:25 – A culture of care and desire for a resource
28:50 – Summary and closure
29:09 – Share your feedback with us
29:43 – End
Have an important message to share or a topic you'd like to hear more about?
Please contact us with your thoughts, feedback, or suggestions.
We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Blondeel: [email protected]
Dave Baker: [email protected]
30 min - Retention + Engagement for HR Leaders: Using Gratitude to Keep Top Manufacturing Talent with Lisa Ryan #34
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!
00:00 – Introduction 00:30 – What is there to be grateful for in 2021 01:04 – Keeping your mindset not on what you don't have
01:51 – Lisa Ryan introduction and tie in of gratitude to manufacturing
02:41 – Gratitude starts within yourself
03:52 – "They get their paycheck every Friday"
05:25 – Discretionary Effort; a gamechanger
06:34 – Making a beeline to the office because I'm all that and a bag of chips
07:43 – Ideas are Free
08:18 – The companies that need it the most are the one's least likely to make the investment
09:20 – Make the decision whether to stay in a toxic environment
10:30 – Negative Ned & Negative Nancy, changing the energy
12:55 – Persistence
14:01 – Tolerance of toxicity and who needs to be fired
15:30 – What do I own in it and when to walk away
16:58 - Positivity vs. Gratitude
17:50 – Making the shift in re-wiring your brain
19:56 – Accountability; 12 yrs and counting
22:56 – Starting today with the little things
23:38 – The 30-day challenge gratitude and a path to happiness
24:40 – Gratitude starts with you -> today
25:55 – Grounding yourself with what you DO have
27:05 – Closing
27:39 – End
Have an important message to share or a topic you'd like to hear more about?
Please contact us with your thoughts, feedback, or suggestions.
We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Blondeel: [email protected]
Dave Baker: [email protected]
28 min - Engagement for Operations Managers: Strengthening Relationships Before Driving Accountability and Results #33
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!
00:00 - Intro 00:28 – Authenticity and sharing your knowledge 02:01 – Seeing others not just through your own personal needs
02:38 – Selling ice to an Eskimo
03:29 – The unique ability to connect with others
04:39 – Where do these skills come from?
06:54 – DNA? Yes. But where's the choice?
08:44 – 2,000 new relationships
09:25 – Managing expectations and focus of time
11:52 – Contacts change, but relationships remain
13:30 – 3:3 above & below
15:00 – Relationships and risks go hand in hand
16:30 – The task at hand and impact on others
17:48 - Relationships trump the perfect plan
19:25 – The challenge for new-in-career or those in a new role
21:12 – Try to do something alone
22:04 – The more I let go, the more I have
22:49 – Getting the 'mileage'
25:25 – Your greatest legacy may be how you've helped others
26:20 – Staying grounded
30:28 – Summary
31:36 - Closing
32:12 - End
33 min - Productivity + Accountability for Frontline Supervisors: Moving Ideas from Frustration to Action on the Shop Floor #32
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!
00:30 - Well, Dave and I have been talking a lot about getting stuff done. And in manufacturing, every hour is about getting something done, whether it's just getting that order out, getting that task completed, getting that inspection done.
01:45 - Just this week I've heard three different people say, 'I gave this idea, but they turned it down.' 'They didn't listen to me.' 'Yeah, we've tried that.'
03:14 - Running through the glass door to get it done.
03:39 - But how do we stop Dave, and just be present so you can see more? Because when we're running to that task, or if we've laid down because we're just frustrated because we're not going get it done? What do you do?
04:00 - Which side of the fence am I on?
05:27 - What do they have going on? Is this the right time for me to be bringing something up, for me to be making a suggestion?
06:18 - We used to call it barfing on the table. Don't make your problem, my problem.
07:19 - Their job is to throw it over the fence and let somebody else worry about implementing it.
08:41 - What do I own in that?
09:14 – For the folks on the front line, there are some things that are obvious of needed changes.
10:35 - Don't say they didn't listen, there has to be a reason why they didn't listen.
10:52 - 20 ideas for others to do.
12:15 - Relationships are the foundation of dialogue.
13:14 - Paying attention to your own emotions first.
13:57 - Difficult conversations.
18:13 – What's on the other person's agenda? Where are they at? Where am I at? And how can this be presented?
20:43 – Two different approaches with Charlie.
22:37 - So why do we need to talk about this?
24:22 – Takeaways.
25:39 – Share your feedback with us on different approaches. Reach out to us if you've got any thoughts on different topics and what's helpful and what's not.
25:52 - Closing
27 min - Accountability for Manufacturing Managers: Believing in the Outcome to Strengthen Focus and Drive Team Results with Martha Clarke #31
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!
Martha Clarke challenges leaders to get clear on their desired outcome first, because once you know where you're going, the right questions and behaviors naturally follow.
In this episode, we explore manufacturing leadership, strategic thinking, and growth mindset for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.
Martha shares practical insights on communication skills, accountability, and authentic leadership, plus how staying curious helps leaders improve clarity, strengthen trust, and drive better team performance on the shop floor.
00:00 – Intro
0:35 – Martha Clarke introduction; Fremont Consulting Group
1:40 – Being mindful when you don't have the answer
3:20 – …but what you do have to have
4:50 – Manufacturing 'is the same' everywhere
6:52 – Be mindful of what you want
7:35 – A perfect outcome based on your language
9:51 – The secret sauce to connecting with the 'locals'
12:24 – It's O.K. to smile – how your presence impacts others
15:05 - The difference between managers and leaders
16:02 – Showing up in a way to achieve the desired outcome
16:47 – Beginning with the end in mind
18:28 – Believing, Actions, and Outcome
20:12 – Digging deep to understand the Why behind your belief
21:11 – Closing off opportunities for breakthrough
22:35 – Belief without the trust of others
25:37 – The A shift vs. B shift phenomenon
26:52 – The final word: respect, believe, and communicate
29 min - Accountability for HR Leaders: Building Ownership to Strengthen Talent Commitment and Team Performance with Desen Lu #30
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, Desen Lu joins the podcast to challenge manufacturing leaders to rethink how they approach everyday decisions and problems.
We explore manufacturing leadership, strategic thinking, and growth mindset for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors. Desen shares practical insights on communication skills, accountability, and authentic leadership, plus how shifting perspective helps leaders uncover root causes, strengthen trust, and drive better results on the shop floor.
00:00 - Intro
00:35 – Talent development and the awareness of others in growing your organizations
01:18 – Desen Lu introduction
02:01 – Let's talk Talent. The confusion between Performance & Talent. Talent comes first – Performance is a byproduct of Talent
04:22 – Focusing on the upside of having great talent – not the cost of its absence
05:34 – What separates great talent from average talent - Ownership
08:21 – Ownership and daring to admit that you made a mistake
10:02 – What it looks like to admit mistakes – and the effect
12:00 – The team's response
13:11 – The night and day difference in an organization's culture where it's o.k. to admit mistakes
14:56 – The ripple effect of ownership in talent development
18:15 – Failing your way to success
19:46 – Staying grounded
21:36 – Every day is a battle
22:53 – Diversify with experience opportunities on the 'opposite side of the table'
24:50 – Mindset focus on what you gain on the backside of the storm
27:23 – Gratitude to check your mindset for the rest of the day
29:10 – "We grew a person" – the best news of all in a day!
30:47 – "Performance is a function of human equity" – Desen Lu
32 min - Emotional Intelligence + Productivity for HR Leaders: Using Genos Insights to Improve Leadership Behavior and Team Results with Ben Palmer #29
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!
Dr. Ben Palmer joins the podcast to challenge manufacturing leaders to check themselves in powerful ways that are game changing for business and life changing for people.
In this episode, we explore manufacturing leadership, emotional intelligence, and authentic leadership for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.
Dr. Palmer shares practical insights on self awareness, communication skills, and accountability, plus how staying curious helps leaders strengthen trust, improve engagement, and drive better team performance on the shop floor.
00:00 - Intro
00:38 – 2020: a year with much-needed empathy, resilience, and self-management
01:35 – Intro to Ben Palmer with Genos International
02:42 – Game-changing for business, life-changing for people
03:49 – "HR Puff & Stuff" - What's NOT emotional intelligence (EI)
05:45 – Sizing up Anger. Anger that creates Engagement – not disengagement
07:14 – Here's what emotional intelligence IS
07:49 – A No Crying Zone?
08:52 – The emotional intelligence experience in real life
10:33 – The Story of 2 Pens and your business
13:31 – Who takes care of who - Customer or Employee?
14:40 – The Ripple Effect and the effect on Safety
16:18 – A culture of 'artificial harmony' and 'fear of confrontation'
17:15 – Magic moments and simple behaviors demonstrating levels of emotional intelligence
22:59 – The biggest predictors of your own mortality
27:33 – Introverted or Extroverted and the awareness of how we show up
29:10 – If you can walk and you can knock begin experimenting to learn
30:24 – Opportunities for 2021: Considering your Perspective, the need for Empathy, and your own Well-Being
33:40 – I just want 2020 to end. Why wait to start?
34:22 – Considering other's perspectives – You don't want to be 'that guy'
35:11 – Wrap Up
35:52 - Closure
37 min - Manufacturing Culture + Accountability for Operations Managers: Using Transparency to Build Trust and Improve Team Performance with Jason Zenger #28
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!
What does it mean to leave a legacy of love in leadership?
In this episode, Jason Zenger opens up about his leadership style and how he stays grounded in his values while leading at a high level.
We explore manufacturing leadership, authentic leadership, and emotional intelligence for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors. Jason shares practical insights on communication skills, trust building, and accountability, plus how leading with clarity and care strengthens culture, engagement, and long term team performance.
00:40 – 1 year of Mindfulness Manufacturing
01:54 – Jason Zenger; President of Zenger's and 'Making Chips' podcast host
03:00 – A transparent business model based on relationships
03:53 – Every great story comes from a history of struggles
04:23 – A Legacy: I want my team to know that I lead them like I loved them
05:40 – How am I going to show up for work today
06:14 – Where's the risk? What's the cost?
09:27 – Responsiveness and lack thereof
10:30 – Displayed by the best of the best on our team: DO-BE-GO-LIFE
12:38 – Accountability to making the tough calls
14:26 – Groom it or Hire it?
16:46 – Your actions and behaviors supersede your words when it comes to loving others
19:17 – A commitment to establishing your mindset and staying grounded
22:27 – Rebounding from setback
25:40 – What it takes to swallow that humble pill
30:00 – Learning through uncomfortable times
32:21 – Closure
Contact information for Jason Zenger:
linkedin.com/in/jasonzenger
zengers.com (Company Website)
MakingChips.com (Blog)
34 min - Engagement for Frontline Supervisors: Meeting People Where They Are to Build Trust and Improve Daily Performance with Patrick Carter #27
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!
How do mindfulness and manufacturing leadership connect with dentistry?
In this episode, Dr. Patrick Carter joins the podcast to share insights on communication skills, emotional intelligence, and authentic leadership for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.
We explore how connection starts the moment people walk through the door, why trust building matters in every industry, and how mindful leadership improves engagement, relationships, and performance on the shop floor.
00:47 - A great experience at the dentist? Yes
01:29 - Dr. Patrick Carter - Introduction
02:46 - The connection to Mindfulness Manufacturing and a Dentist
05:33 - What's different? Meeting people where they are and knowing that you care
08:29 - We've seen it before, but for others it's all new - it's all about Patience
10:18 - Leading the staff while wearing multiple 'hats'
11:29 - Setting the stage and expectations. It all begins when you walk through the door. Your team
makes all the difference and it begins with hiring the right people
12:45 - Making the human connection
14:45 - Open conversations to become more aware
15:51 - Creating a culture to evaluate times when things do not go well
17:28 - Taking the time to get buy in and execute
18:51 - Stress on all sides and leveling it out
21:25 - The conscious effort and putting it all in context
24:20 - The value of experience and learning throughout your career
25:20 - Rewarding experience: having a profound effect on how others think about themselves
27:33 - Building resilience and taking the time to recharge
29:30 - A morning formula to stay grounded
32 min - Manufacturing Leadership + Engagement for Frontline Supervisors: Engaging and Enrolling Teams to Build Buy-In and Improve Daily Performance with Greg Morgan #26
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 get your team on board, Greg Morgan joins the podcast to share why mindfulness is actually a critical leadership skill.
In this episode, we explore manufacturing leadership, emotional intelligence, and growth mindset for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.
Greg breaks down how staying present improves communication skills, accountability, and trust building, and why mindful leadership helps teams stay engaged, focused, and aligned on the shop floor.
01:20 - Greg Morgan introduction and connecting Mindfulness to Manufacturing
02:15 - LinkedIn "Inspirational Leader" award even now
03:45 - What does Mindfulness have to do with it
04:58 - Top 3 things contributing to success of a start up in India
06:52 - Making the connection - we all have the same basic needs
08:00 - A Start Up vs. Existing facility - each location has its own personality
09:37 – The Old Ways & Callouses
11:54 - Do-Over's & Repeats
15:20 - People selection - everything must change from the top
16:54 - HR's role and getting others onboard with setting the culture
19:30 - Where do you start in recognizing the people side of the business
20:48 - What not to tolerate
23:22 - What we all have in common despite tough times
24:04 - Our egos and an inverted hierarchy mindset
25:44 - Engage & Enroll - that one thing!
28:55 – "The books says…" "this is how we did it where I came from…" No one cares.
30:34 - Too many cars and that '48 Buick
31:56 - Hey boys, this is what we were doing 30 years ago!
34 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.