E108, How to Build a Winning Culture: Insights from Schneider Electric's Michael Lotfy Gierges

01/28/25 • 40 min

Join host Sannah Vinding and special guest Michael Lotfy Gierges, Executive Vice President at Schneider Electric, as they dive into the transformative world of smart home technology, automation, and people-centric leadership. With over 20 years of experience in energy management, Michael shares his passion for sustainability, talent development, and leading a globally diverse team.

In this episode, you will discover:

Impactful Innovation: Learn about Michael's journey in the electronics industry and his commitment to making a direct impact on humanity and the planet through energy solutions.
Evolving Leadership Styles: Explore how Michael’s leadership style has evolved to prioritize empathy, humility, and high performance within his teams.
Breaking Down Silos: Discover strategies for fostering cross-functional collaboration and overcoming organizational silos in a global company.
Diversity as a Superpower: Understand the importance of diverse teams and how Schneider Electric leverages cultural and ethnic diversity to drive innovation and success.
The Essence of Feedback: Gain insights into the structured and unstructured mechanisms Michael employs to solicit honest feedback and drive continuous improvement.
Recognizing and Empowering Talent: Hear about the impactful ways Michael and his team recognize, celebrate, and empower talent within the organization.
Balancing Professionalism and Personability: Learn how to create a compassionate yet high-performing work environment through a balance of empathy and professionalism.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders: Get Michael’s valuable advice for new leaders, emphasizing humility, listening, and being bold in their approach to leadership.

Michael’s thoughtful approach to leadership and his dedication to fostering an inclusive and high-performing culture will provide you with actionable strategies to enhance your leadership and impact in the manufacturing industry.

Tune in to gain profound insights and elevate your leadership journey to new heights.

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Join the 2,400+ professionals in the electronics manufacturing industry who rely on our insights. Stay Ahead, Stay Informed: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/newsletter/

You can find Sannah on LinkedIn or visit https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/

Stay curious and keep learning Thanks for listening!

Sannah & The Leadership in Manufacturing Team.

PS. 🎉 We did it again! The Leadership in Manufacturing podcast is honored to be a top-ranked choice for industry professionals in both 2024 and 2025. Thanks to our incredible guests and loyal listeners for their continued support. Here's to more inspiring conversations and leadership growth! 🌟

In this episode, you will discover:

Impactful Innovation: Learn about Michael's journey in the electronics industry and his commitment to making a direct impact on humanity and the planet through energy solutions.
Evolving Leadership Styles: Explore how Michael’s leadership style has evolved to prioritize empathy, humility, and high performance within his teams.
Breaking Down Silos: Discover strategies for fostering cross-functional collaboration and overcoming organizational silos in a global company.
Diversity as a Superpower: Understand the importance of diverse teams and how Schneider Electric leverages cultural and ethnic diversity to drive innovation and success.
The Essence of Feedback: Gain insights into the structured and unstructured mechanisms Michael employs to solicit honest feedback and drive continuous improvement.
Recognizing and Empowering Talent: Hear about the impactful ways Michael and his team recognize, celebrate, and empower talent within the organization.
Balancing Professionalism and Personability: Learn how to create a compassionate yet high-performing work environment through a balance of empathy and professionalism.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders: Get Michael’s valuable advice for new leaders, emphasizing humility, listening, and being bold in their approach to leadership.

Tune in to gain profound insights and elevate your leadership journey to new heights.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join the 2,400+ professionals in the electronics manufacturing industry who rely on our insights. Stay Ahead, Stay Informed: https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/newsletter/

You can find Sannah on LinkedIn or visit https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/

Stay curious and keep learning Thanks for listening!

Sannah & The Leadership in Manufacturing Team.

Previous Episode

E107, 2025 Market Outlook - Electronics Manufacturing Insights

Join host Sannah Vinding and guest Dennis Reed, a senior research analyst at Edgewater Research with over 15 years of experience in financial services and technology, as they delve into the evolving landscape of the automotive and electronics manufacturing industry. In this podcast episode, you'll explore the pivotal factors influencing the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and gain valuable insights into the market trends anticipated for 2025.

In this episode, you will learn about:

The Transition to Electric Vehicles: Understand the current state of EV adoption, the challenges of matching internal combustion engine (ICE) performance and pricing, and the crucial role of charging infrastructure.
Hybrid Vehicles Preference: Learn about the emerging consumer trends favoring hybrid vehicles over pure EVs and the implications for the market.
Economic Stability and Growth Projections: Explore the forecasted stability and growth trends in the EV and hybrid segments for 2025, including insights on component vendors' growth potential.
Impact of Tariffs: Gain knowledge on the effects of tariffs on Chinese imports and how companies are mitigating increased costs through strategic relocations.
Geopolitical Relations and Economic Stability: Delve into the impact of international tensions on economic stability, emphasizing the necessity for cooperative leadership among the US, China, and the EU.
Market Challenges and Optimism: Discover insights on the current economic climate marked by inflation concerns, inventory oversupply, and pressure on profits, alongside cautious optimism for specific industry recoveries.
Sector Growth Opportunities: Uncover potential growth areas, particularly in AI, automotive, industrial markets, medical, and aerospace industries.

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You can find Sannah on LinkedIn or visit https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/

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This episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing podcast is created in partnership with oemsecrets.com.

If you need top-quality electronic components, oemsecrets.com is a comparison engine giving buyers and engineers access to over 50 million parts from 140+ authorized distributors. It’s fast and easy. Upload your Bill of Materials for instant price and availability comparisons – check it out today!

Next Episode

E109; Why Core Values Matter in Leadership Insights from Manny Brunson of Carlton-Bates (Wesco OEM Solutions)

Join host Sannah Vinding and guest Manny Brunson, Vice President of Sales at Carlton-Bates (now WESCO OEM Solutions), for an insightful discussion on the role of core values in business leadership within the manufacturing industry. With over forty years of industry experience, Manny shares his expertise on creating a strong organizational culture and the essence of leadership.

In this episode, you will discover:

The Power of Core Values: Explore how having a set of core values can create a thriving company culture and serve as a foundation for building winning teams.
Leadership Through Example: Learn the importance of leading by example and fostering a work environment where actions speak louder than words.
The Role of Integrity and Zero Entitlement: Understand the crucial role integrity and a zero entitlement mindset play in nurturing relationships with clients and colleagues.
Building a Competitive Spirit: Gain insights into encouraging a competitive yet joyful attitude within your team, fostering success and growth.
Continuous Improvement: Discover the significance of continuous personal and professional development and how team coaching can drive improvement.
Navigating Business Challenges: Hear Manny's strategies for dealing with limited resources, work-life balance, and the rapidly evolving electronics industry.

Manny's commitment to core values and his strategic approach to leadership provide invaluable insights for anyone looking to strengthen their team's performance and culture.

Uncover the power of cultivating core values to foster a resilient company culture and enhance team dynamics in the manufacturing industry.

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Don't miss out! Sign up now to boost your leadership skills with real-life stories! https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/newsletter/

You can find Sannah on LinkedIn or visit https://leadershipinmanufacturing.com/hello/

Stay curious and keep learning.

Thanks for listening!

Sannah & The Leadership in Manufacturing Team.