Aron discusses the challenges of manufacturing leadership, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and support. He shares his experience as a director of continuous improvement in Iowa City, highlighting the difficulty of implementing operational excellence programs without prior experience. He recounts how external support from a VP of manufacturing and other mentors significantly accelerated his learning and performance. He stresses the need for leaders to understand their team's work and provides practical advice on seeking help from experienced individuals to avoid stagnation and improve leadership capabilities.

Listen In!


Thank you for listening to this episode of Manufacturing Mentorship with Aron Kolosik


Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://aronkolosik.com/newsletter/

Linked In @aronkolosik
Instagram @aronkolosik
Facebook @aronkolosik

Aron discusses the final pillar of building a better plant and life: professional and financial health. He emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical, relational, mental, and financial health. He shares personal experiences, highlighting how financial insecurity can impact leadership decisions and job satisfaction. He advises creating a personal balance sheet, running the household like a P&L, benchmarking one's worth in the job market, and writing down professional goals. He also encourages you to prioritize financial security to make better career decisions and improve overall well-being.

Listen In!


Thank you for listening to this episode of Manufacturing Mentorship with Aron Kolosik


Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://aronkolosik.com/newsletter/

Linked In @aronkolosik
Instagram @aronkolosik
Facebook @aronkolosik

Aron discusses the importance of mental health for manufacturing and operations leaders, emphasizing that stress and mental fatigue are common but often overlooked. He shares personal experiences and stories to illustrate how mental health issues can impact leadership effectiveness and personal well-being. He outlines five signs of mental fatigue: energy levels, temper, thinking clarity, decision quality, and self-narratives. He suggests practical strategies for improving mental health, including journaling, setting boundaries, spending time in nature, diagnosing negative self-narratives, and maintaining faith. He also encourages leaders to prioritize mental health to enhance their performance and overall life quality.

Listen In!


Thank you for listening to this episode of Manufacturing Mentorship with Aron Kolosik


Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://aronkolosik.com/newsletter/

Linked In @aronkolosik
Instagram @aronkolosik
Facebook @aronkolosik

Aron discusses the importance of relational health for manufacturing and operations leaders, emphasizing the need to balance work with personal relationships. He introduces the concept of the "Power Five" moments: Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmas, highlighting their significance. He shares personal anecdotes and coaching experiences to illustrate the impact of work-life imbalance on physical and mental health. He stresses the importance of intentionality in family time, friendships, and self-care, suggesting daily texts to show gratitude and the necessity of scheduling fun activities. He concludes by encouraging you to prioritize relationships to leave a lasting legacy.

Listen In!


Thank you for listening to this episode of Manufacturing Mentorship with Aron Kolosik


Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://aronkolosik.com/newsletter/

Linked In @aronkolosik
Instagram @aronkolosik
Facebook @aronkolosik

Aron discusses the importance of self-care for manufacturing and operations leaders, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to physical, relational, professional, and mental health. He highlights the dangers of neglecting sleep, nutrition, and fitness, using examples of plant managers who overconsume caffeine and neglect proper nutrition. He stresses that sustainable high performance requires a strategy that includes adequate sleep, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. He encourages you to prioritize these aspects, suggesting that yoiu start by focusing on one area and executing a plan.

Listen In!


Thank you for listening to this episode of Manufacturing Mentorship with Aron Kolosik


Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://aronkolosik.com/newsletter/

Linked In @aronkolosik
Instagram @aronkolosik
Facebook @aronkolosik

Aron discusses the challenges of overworking in manufacturing leadership, emphasizing the need to balance work and personal life. He highlights the importance of setting boundaries, such as not checking emails until morning meetings, and using tools like calendars, automation, and delegation to manage tasks more efficiently. He suggests eliminating unnecessary tasks, automating repetitive ones, and delegating to free up time. He also recommends compressing work time, using the two-minute rule, and creating a power-down routine to recharge. Additionally, he advises on the benefits of meditation and nature for reducing allostatic load.

Listen In!


Thank you for listening to this episode of Manufacturing Mentorship with Aron Kolosik


Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://aronkolosik.com/newsletter/

Linked In @aronkolosik
Instagram @aronkolosik
Facebook @aronkolosik

Aron discusses the challenges of balancing work and personal life in manufacturing leadership. He emphasizes that hours worked do not equate to outcomes, citing studies showing that 35-hour workweeks often outperform 50-hour ones due to Parkinson's Law, which expands tasks to available time. He introduces concepts like cognitive load, allostatic load, and decision fatigue, likening the brain to a jar filled with thoughts and stress to plaque in arteries. He advocates for structured recovery, not just as a reward but a necessity, and suggests practical strategies like journaling, meditation, and scheduling personal time to improve productivity and well-being.

Listen In!


Thank you for listening to this episode of Manufacturing Mentorship with Aron Kolosik


Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://aronkolosik.com/newsletter/

Linked In @aronkolosik
Instagram @aronkolosik
Facebook @aronkolosik

Aron discusses the importance of building a robust operating system in manufacturing to prevent operations from breaking down when leaders take time off. He emphasizes the need for leaders to step away from being the "hero" and instead focus on creating systems that outlast them. He shares a case study of a plant manager who struggled with consistency and firefighting, highlighting the necessity of regular meetings and accountability measures. He also stresses the importance of proactive problem-solving through structured meetings and systems to prevent recurring issues and free up leaders' time and energy.

Listen In!


Thank you for listening to this episode of Manufacturing Mentorship with Aron Kolosik


Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://aronkolosik.com/newsletter/

Linked In @aronkolosik
Instagram @aronkolosik
Facebook @aronkolosik

Aron discusses the importance of 360-degree communication for manufacturing and operations leaders. He emphasizes the need to communicate effectively with direct reports, peers, senior leaders, and across the organization. He highlights the consequences of poor communication, such as project failures and negative perceptions. He shares personal experiences, including a gas leak incident, to illustrate the impact of clear communication. He advises using communication expectation documents and building relationships with functional peers. He also stresses the importance of intentionality in communication and offers to provide personalized guidance on LinkedIn.

Listen In!


Thank you for listening to this episode of Manufacturing Mentorship with Aron Kolosik


Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://aronkolosik.com/newsletter/

Linked In @aronkolosik
Instagram @aronkolosik
Facebook @aronkolosik

Aron discusses the importance of building a strong team in manufacturing leadership. He emphasizes the need for leaders to assess their team members' performance, attitude, and potential semi-annually. He highlights the significance of placing the right people in the right roles and making tough decisions when necessary. He shares personal experiences, such as moving a team member to a more suitable role and letting go of those who couldn't adapt. He also stresses the importance of intentional investment in team development, regular one-on-one meetings, and maintaining a positive work environment to ensure long-term success and personal well-being

Listen In!


Thank you for listening to this episode of Manufacturing Mentorship with Aron Kolosik


Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://aronkolosik.com/newsletter/

Linked In @aronkolosik
Instagram @aronkolosik
Facebook @aronkolosik