Mindfulness Manufacturing
Trevor Blondeel
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Top 10 Mindfulness Manufacturing Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Mindfulness Manufacturing episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Mindfulness Manufacturing for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Mindfulness Manufacturing episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
130 Empowering Frontlines Leaders with Lessons from the Drive-Thru with Monica Rothgery
Mindfulness Manufacturing
11/13/24 • 33 min
What does a Taco Bell drive-thru have to do with manufacturing? Fast-food and manufacturing have more in common than you might think—and in her newest book Lessons from the Drive-Thru: Real Life Wisdom for Frontline Leaders, former Taco Bell general manager Monica Rothergy shares real-life stories to help leaders lead with ease, authenticity, and vulnerability, whether they’re working in a drive-thru or a manufacturing plant.
Monica recently came by the Mindfulness Manufacturing to talk more about her book and the career path that took her from a Taco Bell general manager to the first female chief operating officer and first LGBT executive for KFC US. In this episode, Monica also shares valuable insights for other frontlines leaders, including strategies for bringing more curiosity and vulnerability to leadership roles.
2:00 – Frontlines leaders often feel the need to jump in and fix problems themselves, rather than letting their team figure it out
4:00 – Shift your mindset to emphasize coaching and supporting, not micromanaging
7:00 – Practice servant leadership through supporting and recognizing your team
13:00 – Instead of just providing instructions, look for ways to observe and provide feedback
15:00 – When problems occur, have deep and curious conversations to find the root of the issue
19:00 – Training is often seen as the problem, but a lack of support can also lead to performance issues
22:00 – All employees are unique and have different standards, so be curious to find out the kind of support and recognition they need
Connect with Monica Rothgery
143 Beyond the Hammer: Transforming Manufacturing Leadership with Brian Gottleib
Mindfulness Manufacturing
05/14/25 • 26 min
In manufacturing, many leaders try to use the same tools to address different problems. But just like a hammer won’t work for all projects around your house, your routine leadership approach might not work for all your team members. This means you need to go “beyond the hammer” and find ways to have deeper interactions with your team.
The hammer analogy comes from Beyond the Hammer: A Fresh Approach to Leadership, Culture, and Building High Performance Teams by Brian Gottleib. In this episode, Brian shares more about the lessons and insights in Beyond the Hammer, plus offers actionable insights manufacturing leaders can use to grow their relationships, create deeper connections, and improve culture in their organizations, from the top to the shop floor.
1:18 – Beyond the Hammer is an approachable, actionable book which uses a parable format to make a positive impact on leaders 2:38 – A leader’s mood and presence directly shapes their team’s culture and performance 3:34 – As a leader, be aware of the tone you’re getting for the rest of your team 6:24 – The ceiling of a business is limited by the ceiling of the people 8:56 – For true growth to occur, you need to focus on relationships and understanding how each team member’s work connects to a larger goal 12:10 – Be honest about your priorities and save time for self-growth and reflection 17:13 – To form relationships, your one-on-one conversations need to be deep and intentional 18:33 – Make your employees feel valued and they’ll be less likely to leave your organization 22:14 – While performance can be copied, culture cannot 24:05 – When teams believe in themselves and each other, it creates a stronger and more positive culture
Connect with Brian Gottleib Visit his website Connect on LinkedIn Buy Beyond the Hammer – Brian recommends checking out the audiobook for a more personal connection Read my book report on Beyond the Hammer
124 Bringing Great Leadership to a New Plant: Stories from a Greenfield Site with Daniel Knecht
Mindfulness Manufacturing
08/21/24 • 27 min
What goes into launching a brand-new manufacturing plant? A successful greenfield site is about more than finding the right space or getting the right equipment—you also have to pay attention to the people you’re hiring and the tone you’re setting as a leader.
In this episode, take a journey through the steps of a greenfield site with Daniel Knecht! Dan is the solar project director for NSG Group, one of the world’s largest glass manufacturers. In his role, he focuses on strategic projects to support the renewal energy market. In this story-filled episode, Dan talks about his unique experiences of launching a new plant for NSG, and shares insight other manufacturing leaders can use to build and support their teams, improve their behavior, and bring transformative change to their organization.
4:04 – While manufacturing requires many technical skills, it’s still all about people and connection
4:55 – If you’re a technically minded person, you might need to shift your behavior to form stronger connections and learn to lead through others
5:22 – At a new plant, choosing and building a new team is an important part of the process
6:13 – As a leader, you want to hire a team who can respectfully challenge you, not just people who think exactly like you
7:27 – Changing how you show up for your team starts with authenticity and vulnerability
9:45 – Show up for your team with action, not just words
10:23 – Even with a large team, you can form great connections through intention and curiosity
12:54 – At a new plant, it’s imperative to set the right tone
14:38 – Manage your emotions and use patience to navigate challenges and connect with your team
19:09 – How you show up in a moment of adversity says a lot about you as a leader
20:05 – You lead how you’re led, so be aware of behaviors you might have picked up from others
20:40 – Take responsibility for your role as a leader in your organization
21:53 – Hire the right people and invest in them
23:20 – You can’t successfully address every issue your team brings to you, but you can approach the issue with an open mind
24:14 – To get a better understanding of the pulse of your floor, create a safe space for your team
Connect with Daniel Knecht
Find him on LinkedIn
107 Building Your Reset Mindset with Penny Zenker
Mindfulness Manufacturing
12/27/23 • 27 min
In the busy and high-stress world of manufacturing, it can be hard to find your focus! What can you do to reset your focus and prioritize what matters most? Find out in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with “Focusologist” Penny Zenker.
Penny is as an international speaker, business strategy coach, and bestselling author who has been featured on NBC, Forbes, and more. She is also a leader expert in the psychology of productivity, and works with organizations to maximize results by eliminating perfectionism, distractions, and self-sabotage. In this episode, she shares her three-step process for building a reset mindset aligning yourself with what matters most to you, your team, and the productivity and culture of your organization.
3:46 – Focus always coming back to setting objectives and aligning your actions with those objectives
4:47 – To find your focus, you need to step back, get out of your daily cycle, and reset
5:29 – To engage in reset practice, you have to recognize the trigger for the reset moment and then take a step back to get perspective and realign
7:03 – The more you practice, the easier it is to build a reset mindset
7:53 – If you don’t give yourself permission to step back and reset, you increase the risk of errors that can hinder productivity and cause mistakes
8:53 – Taking small break is a way to relearn how to focus
9:30 – Another part of practicing a reset mindset is learning to recognize when something isn’t working, like getting rid of an unproductive meeting
11:39 – Stepping back can mean giving up control in some areas
12:14 – Being able to step back creates a culture with less bureaucracy and more trust and autonomy
13:59 – Sometimes we focus on the wrong areas, like focusing on micromanagement when it would be more productive to focus on fostering autonomy
16:30 – A reset mindset starts with creating reset moments for yourself
17:44 – Constantly look for ways to bring out the best in yourself and in others
18:22 – A reset mindset also requires curiosity and a willingness to adapt
21:24 – If one person in an organization can demonstrate a reset mindset, others will learn to do the same
Connect with Penny Zenker
Check out her Take Back Time podcast
134 Rethinking Shop Floor Time - Technical People are People Too with Emily Nichols
Mindfulness Manufacturing
01/08/25 • 27 min
In manufacturing, we often emphasize complex processes and new technologies, like artificial intelligence. But to bring true change and productivity to your organization, don’t forget about your people!
In this episode, learn all about the balance of technical skills and human connection with guest Emily Nichols! As a professional engineer with decades of experiences in manufacturing and innovation, Emily has worked with organizations like PepsiCo, Janssen, and Henkel. She now works with organizations who want to strengthen the human skills they need to thrive in an increasingly technical world. In this episode, she shares more about the important role of human skills, and offers lessons and insights for forming stronger connections, breaking down systemic barriers, and how to improve your “people score.”
2:01 – Even in fields like manufacturing, human skills play a very important role
5:43 – Current and emerging trends, like AI, make human connection even more important in retention and recruitment
8:29 – To form connections, increase your presence on the shop floor
12:36 – Visual uniformity can foster better connections and help you break down perceived barriers
19:39 – If you want more connections, you need to listen to and respect the expertise of everyone on your team
20:37 – To support women in your organization, you need to address systemic issues
23:39 – Even small changes, like using more inclusive language, can have a big impact on your culture
25:06 – We are people first, not machines
Connect with Emily Nichols
Visit her website
Connect on social media: @connectbettertoday
141 Negotiation Strategies for the Manufacturing Floor with Fotini Iconomopoulos
Mindfulness Manufacturing
04/16/25 • 26 min
On the manufacturing floor, you have dozens of everyday opportunities for negotiation, from talking with a team member about an upcoming pay raise to trying to get a better deal from a supplier. In your everyday negotiations, what can you do to say less, get more, and make effective changes?
You need to master the art of negotiation—and in this episode, guest Fotini Iconomopoulos is here to share the tools you need to know. Fotini Iconomopoulos is a master communicator and negotiator based in Toronto. She’s also the author of Say Less Get More: Unconventional Negotiation Techniques to Get What You Want. In this episode, she shares more about the power of negotiation and share actionable insights for unlocking your negotiating greatness.
1:00 – Learning how to negotiate and communicate is an important skill for manufacturing leaders
3:20 – Negotiation plays a key role in many manufacturing scenarios, like working with suppliers and retailers
4:25 – Be mindful of negotiation opportunities in your everyday interactions
6:44 – Negotiation isn’t just about getting your own way, but about changing the thinking of another person
7:00 – To improve your negotiation skills, stay curious and ask questions
7:34 – When negotiation, think about your own emotions and the emotions of the other person
9:19 – Practice striking the balance between logic and emotions in your negotiations
15:12 – Use language that aids cooperation and mutual benefit
18:54 – Opening with an extreme can set you up for a success negotiation, but be sure to consider the ethics involved
21:37 – People are often motivated more by what they might lose, rather than what they stand to gain
22:22 – Silence can also be a powerful tool in negotiations
Connect with Fotini Iconomopoulos
Vist her website
Learn more about Say Less, Get More
Read my book report
121 Why We Need Storytelling on the Manufacturing Floor
Mindfulness Manufacturing
07/10/24 • 26 min
Stories resonate with people, which makes them a valuable tool for sharing information, seeking new outcomes and connecting with your team. So let’s bring more storytelling to the manufacturing floor!
In this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing, meet guest Trevor Perry. Trevor is an award-winning speaker, author, and perspective-changer, who uses his unique perspectives and love of storytelling to help others find their own light and improve their influence in the world. In this episode, Trevor shares his journey of finding his storytelling passion, and discusses why leaders should learn and practice storytelling skills.
4:04 – When someone owns, lives, and feels a story, that makes for powerful storytelling
5:31 – Some people might be bad storytellers with great stories to tell, or great storytellers with bad stories
6:24 – Storytelling is a way to connect and help others relate to what you’re trying to share
7:12 – Good storytelling is transparent and draws on your own experiences
8:42 – If you’re telling someone else’s story, you still need to find a way to personally connect and own the story you’re telling
11:18 – Storytelling is an inherent part of human nature, which is why stories resonate so well
12:47 – Every story needs a purpose, especially if you’re in a leader or mentor role
15:15 – If you’re trying to adopt someone else’s story as your own, it won’t feel authentic
16:19 – A culture of storytelling can bring more connection to your organization
17:44 – How you tell a story is always going to be different depending on your audience or situation
20:28 – Practicing improv is a unique way to hone your storytelling skills
20:30 - Learn more about improv and storytelling in Episode 97
22:55 – You can also learn about storytelling about listening to others
23:57 – As a human, you are a storyteller
Connect with Trevor Perry
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks for tuning it to another episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing! To learn more about Trevor Blondeel and Manufacturing Greatness, please visit our website or contact Trevor here.
120 How to Unlock Your High-Performance Potential with Mike Mooney
Mindfulness Manufacturing
06/26/24 • 29 min
How can we bring more mindfulness to the manufacturing floor without comprising speed or efficiency? With a background as an award-winning senior executive for agencies, brands, and team properties in NASCAR, IndyCar, and Formula One racing, Mike Mooney knows all about speed! He now uses his unique background to help leaders accelerate culture, unlock potential, drive opportunity, and create traction.
In this episode, Mike shares why humans are high-performance vehicles, and how leaders can use presence, intentionality, and curiosity to improve communicates, reach creative outcomes, and improve their organization’s culture.
3:46 – Like racecars, humans are high-performance vehicles that needs building, fixing, innovation, and restoration
5:04 – Being high-performance involves being present, intentional, and curious
8:13 – You can still get work done well and efficiently without sacrificing your relationships or workplace presence
9:22 – To improve your presence and how you show up, commit to shifting your micro-behaviors
12:00 – Sometimes, you need to slow down to go fast
13:33 – In the space between stimulus and response, you have a choice to jump to conclusions or react with curiosity
16:22 – Curiosity opens up conversations and leads to more productive outcomes
19:10 – Great ideas can come from anywhere, not just the executive team
23:20 – With curiosity, any idea can be interesting
25:05 – We were all designed to be high-performance vehicles and with time and authenticity, you can become the leader your organization needs
Connect with Mike Mooney
Find him on LinkedIn
Connect on X and Instagram @mike_mooney
Connect on Facebook @mikemooney_speaks
Thanks for Listening!
Thanks for tuning it to another episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing! To learn more about Trevor Blondeel and Manufacturing Greatness, please visit our website or contact Trevor here.
122 Good People, Bad Process: How to Measure and Improve Your Team with Martin Low
Mindfulness Manufacturing
07/24/24 • 26 min
Results matters! Whether you’re looking at safety, quality, or productivity, you and your team want to know how you’re performing. But when it comes to people, it can be difficult to measure your return on investment.
In this episode, guest Martin Low walks us through the best strategies for measuring your team, plus shares great insights on why people matter most in your organization. Martin is the founder and CEO of On Plane Consulting, where he helps organizations transform and improve by building and leveraging their people capabilities. He also has over 20 years of human resources experiences at companies like Amazon and Blue Apron, and brings great insights on how to measure your team, clarify your processes, and create a culture where everyone shows up at their best.
3:23 – You can’t measure people in the same way you measure inventory, cash flow or other main areas of your organization
6:31 – If you don’t invest in your people, it leads to issues like high turnover and halted productivity
7:36 – If you don’t have a baseline, you can’t measure
8:45 – If someone on your team is underperforming, use curiosity to find the cause
8:52 – Establish a baseline for what good looks like within your team or organization
9:45 – If someone on your team has higher rates than others, study their process and see how you can implement their methods for your whole team
11:50 – When results don’t meet expectations, approach the issue with curiosity instead of judgement
14:08 – With clearer processes, your team can improve and your organization can reduce turnover
14:24 – As a leader, you should make your expectations clear and hold others accountable
15:33 – With clarity, your team members find more agency and can improve the way they show up
17:31 – Create a process where you and your team can use your energy in a productive way, instead of just trying to survive the day
19:37 – Surveying your team is a strategy for assuring everyone is aligned and understands your processes, values, mission, and goals
22:52 – With a survey, leadership can find solutions directly from their team on the floor
24:18 – Most people show up wanting to do a good job, and clear processes can help them improve how they show up
Connect with Martin Low
Learn more about On Plane Consulting
Contact On Plane Consulting at [email protected]
Contact Martin at [email protected]
133 Using Your Big Sexy Idea to Differentiate Yourself with Mark Levy
Mindfulness Manufacturing
12/25/24 • 29 min
In the busy field of manufacturing, how do you make yourself stand out? Find out in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with Mark Levy. Mark is a “differentiation expert,” who helps his clients find bold, innovative ways to showcase their big ideas and differentiate themselves from the competition. Mark has worked with dozens of corporations, brands, and thought leaders, including Simon Sinek, Amazon, Harvard Business School, and Major League Baseball, as well as leaders from government bodies like the United Nations. He was also a recent speaker for Tedx Talk, where he spoke about using the obvious to stand out in business and in life.
In this episode, Mark talks more about the importance of finding your “big sexy idea” and shares compelling stories from his own consulting experience to show how leaders can differentiate themselves and communicate their organization’s values, mission, and other unique aspects in an engaging and memorable way.
2:18 – To inspire your organization, articulate your values and missions in clear, engaging, and memorable ways
3:44 – When making a claim or sharing information, back it up with stories and facts to make it memorable and relatable
10:22 – To help your team learn your organization’s key values, keep a sheet with facts and stories that highlight your organization’s strengths, mission, values, and other key facts
12:17 – In manufacturing, we often overlook successes in favor of focusing on problem-solving
26:11 – As a leader, communicate in a way that ensures your team members feel valued and integral to your organization’s success
27:00 – Consider staring your meetings by sharing proud moments and highlighting recent successes
Connect with Mark Levy
Watch Mark’s Tedx Talk
Visit his website
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FAQ
How many episodes does Mindfulness Manufacturing have?
Mindfulness Manufacturing currently has 143 episodes available.
What topics does Mindfulness Manufacturing cover?
The podcast is about Management, Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Education, Manufacturing and Business.
What is the most popular episode on Mindfulness Manufacturing?
The episode title '121 Why We Need Storytelling on the Manufacturing Floor' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Mindfulness Manufacturing?
The average episode length on Mindfulness Manufacturing is 29 minutes.
How often are episodes of Mindfulness Manufacturing released?
Episodes of Mindfulness Manufacturing are typically released every 14 days.
When was the first episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing?
The first episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing was released on Nov 21, 2019.
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