In manufacturing, everything is connected—and what happens at the top impacts everything else, including productivity and morale on the floor. This is especially true when it comes to culture. If leaders at the top aren’t practicing intentionality or accountability, it can trickle down and have a negative impact on the entire organization. To better understand … Read More
Leadership
Three Questions for Manufacturing a Sexy 2025
Just like that, 2025 is rolling! Did you make any resolutions for the new year? More and more, I hear less about resolutions—and maybe for a good reason! While many people like to start the new year with big, bold resolutions, most people falter early in the year. January 19th has been declared the unofficial … Read More
Human Skills in a Technical World: How to Rethink Your Time on the Shop Floor
The manufacturing industry is full of complex processes and an emphasis on using AI and other emerging technologies to speed up productivity and improve results. But even though we live in an increasingly technical world, we still need human skills—and improving your human skills can be the key to unlocking true transformation in your manufacturing … Read More
Using Stories to Differentiate Yourself
In the busy world of manufacturing, how do you make yourself stand out? It’s all about differentiation —and the differentiation expert himself, Mark Levy, recently came onto the Mindfulness Manufacturing podcast to share more! Mark is a business strategist who helps his clients find bold, innovative ways to showcase their big ideas and differentiate themselves … Read More
The Power of Leadership in Addressing Bullying and Cultivating Civility
Have you ever witnessed bullying or other bad behavior at your plant? When I was with Ford Motor Company early in my career, I witnessed bullying-like behavior that disrupted the organization, and affected outcomes. It made me curious about the role of leadership in compassionately and effectively addressing bullying, which is why I was so … Read More
Three Keys for Unlocking Your Team’s Alignment
If you want a strong and productive organization, you need alignment! When your team is aligned, it leads to more productivity, higher morale, and a healthier workplace. On the flip side, a misaligned team can contribute to issues like high turnover or an inability to attract or keep great new team members. What can leaders … Read More
More Support, Less Micromanaging: Three Lessons Plant Leaders Can Learn from the Fast-Food Industry
Whether they’re a team leader in a manufacturing plant or the manager at a food-fast restaurant, frontline leaders are often united in a common issue. As leaders, it’s their instinct to jump in and solve problems, rather than let their team members handle the situation. But when leaders handle everything themselves, it can lead to … Read More
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact | Chip Heath & Dan Heath, 2017 What’s It All About? If you ask me to think of “memorable moments,” two experiences pop into my mind. One is when I was driving and a large raccoon scuttled out of a ditch and into my path, … Read More
A New Approach to Unlocking Sustainable Productivity
In the bustling world of manufacturing, it’s hard to achieve peak productivity without succumbing to burnout or feeling like you’re always putting out fires! But there’s a key to unlocking productivity while still maintaining a sustainable mindset: mindfulness! Learn more on a recent episode of the Mindfulness Manufacturing podcast featuring guest Sarah Ohanesian! In her … Read More
Why Judgement is Poison—and How to Find the Antidote
Judgement is like a poison. When you jump to judgmental or defensive conclusions about a team member’s performance or attitude, it can affect and corrupt your leadership and your entire organization. It might even eventually spread to create a culture of disconnected, low morale, and high turn-over. The Problem with Judgement: A Case Study In … Read More