Death By Comfort: How Modern Life is Killing Us and What We Can Do About It | Paul Taylor, 2023 What’s It All About? What a title! I love when you can tell what a book is about just by the first few words in the title, and the message of Paul Taylor’s Death by … Read More
Leadership
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
Lessons From The Drive Thru: Real Life Wisdom for Frontline Leaders
Lessons From The Drive Thru: Real Life Wisdom for Frontline Leaders | Monica Rothgery, 2024 What’s It All About? What does a Taco Bell drive-thru have to do with manufacturing? When it comes to connecting the top to the shop, a drive thru and a manufacturing floor actually have a lot in common! In her … Read More
The Power of People in Transforming Your Organization
To transform your organization, start with your people! Everyone in your organization has unique gifts, and if you can find a way to harness their potential, you can grow your organization, improve your hiring processes, and build stronger, more connected teams. Hugh Hornsby, the vice president of Everflow Supplies, is an expert in the power … Read More
The Power of Presence and Connection in Manufacturing Leadership
What’s the secret to retaining your team members and creating an organization where people love to work? DigiKey, an electronic component manufacturing organization in Thief River Falls, Minnesota has it all figured out—and Shane Zutz, their vice president of human resources, recently stopped by Mindfulness Manufacturing to share the stories and lessons behind DigiKey’s success. … Read More