Episódios

  • 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

    Buy her book

    Visit her website

  • In manufacturing, there’s a big link between productivity and mindfulness—and shifting to a more mindful approach just might be the key you need to unlock your team’s productivity, decreasing burnout, and creating a happier workplace for all.

    Find out more in this episode with guest Sarah Ohanesian! Sarah is a professional keynote speaker and productivity consultant on a mission to fight burnout and increase happiness at work. She works with busy professionals who are career-driven but face work-life imbalance, stress, and overwhelm. In this episode, Sarah draws on her own experiences and background to discuss the link between productivity and mindfulness in manufacturing, plus offers actionable tips for intentional time management, combating burnout, and more!

    2:36 – There is a difference between busyness and productivity

    4:20 – You can improve your productivity with practices like setting daily intentions or saving time for end-of-day reflection and planning

    12:10 – Follow Sarah’s COAT framework to clarify, organize, act, and take time

    17:10 – To save time and be more productive, figure out which tasks are the most important and set clear priorities

    18:32 – If you have a to-do list, keep it in a single, trusted location

    18:40 – Be intentional with your schedule and time and don’t be afraid to say no to requests

    21:14 – Allowing time to rest plays a key role in creating sustainable, long-term productivity

    Connect with Sarah Ohanesian

    Visit her website

    Connect on LinkedIn and Instagram

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  • There’s power in your people—and if you learn to harness it, it can transform your organization! Learn more in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with guest Hugh Hornsby, the vice president of Everflow Supplies. With a long career and a remarkable track record of turning around struggling businesses—and his own unique journey of surviving a life-changing head injury—Hugh has great stories and insights. In his episode, he shares more about the success of Everflow and his personal journey, and gives insights leaders can use to transform their hiring process, practice everyday gratitude, and find their team’s hidden gifts.

    2:27 – Everyone has a unique gift, which you can find by overcoming labels and looking for their personal potential

    5:52 – Reframe the way you see others and yourself

    6:25 – With a more progressive mindset, you can find more potential in both others and yourself

    11:21 – If you invest in your team, they’ll invest in your organization

    14:13 – Hire for personality and to find the right cultural fit, not just because someone has a strong resume

    15:35 – The hiring process should be curious, not transactional and restrictive

    19:30 – Overcome your terror barrier

    24:47 – Every day, find time for a gratitude check

    27:00 – To transform your team, start by looking at the story you tell yourself

    Connect with Hugh Hornsby

    Learn more about Everflow Supplies

    Connect on LinkedIn

    Read my book review of Think and Grow Rich

  • 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, DigiKey’s vice president of human resources, is here to share the stories and insights behind DigiKey’s success!

    In this episode, Shane shares stories highlighting the importance of curiosity, empathy, and leadership presence, and offers simple-yet-powerful strategies manufacturing leaders can put into action to build trust, accountability, and stronger connections at their own plant.

    5:12 – Building a better organization starts with being present and making personal connections

    8:13 – If your organization is in a small community, making personal connections is extremely important

    9:00 – To find curious ways to engage your team, one strategy is to create a list of questions to ask

    13:30 - With a strong foundation, you’ll be better equipped to tackle challenges or crises

    15:11 - There is a lot of value in simple gestures, like greeting your team in the morning

    18:12 - Personalization goes a long way

    22:41 Show care and concern for your team members

    Connect with Shane Zutz

    Learn more about Digikey

    Connect with Shane on LinkedIn and reach out to get added to his newsletter

    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.

  • Are your team members “houseplants” or “trees?” It might sound like a strange question, but knowing the answer is the key to retaining your best employees, strengthening your team, and transforming your organization.

    In this episode, learn about identifying—and nurturing—your houseplant and tree team members, plus hear other great insights on improving retention, communicating with your team, and showing up as a more emotionally intelligent leader with guest Cara Silletto. Cara is the founder, president, and chief retention office of Magnet Culture, a partner in helping organizations reduce turnover and create cultures where teams succeed and thrive.

    2:49 – Some team members are trees, who stay with your company for a long time, while others are houseplants who needs more attention and support

    3:23 – To retain your team members, understand the differences between your tree and houseplant employees

    5:46 – With a diverse team, you need to approach different team members based on their different needs

    8:10 – When you treat employees well, they are more likely to stay with your company

    10:14 – Retaining your team members and providing support means adapting as a leader

    12:47 – To retain employees, put a stronger emphasis on training, mentoring, and supporting your new hires from their first day

    16:39 – Younger team members are more likely to bring their whole selves to work

    24:02 – Leaders and managers should use continuous learning to improve their skills and gain a stronger understanding of their roles

    25:47 – With a diverse team, you can’t use the same rewards and recognitions for all employees

    26:53 – To understand your team better, practice curiosity and active listening

    Connect with Cara Silletto

    Connect on LinkedIn

    Learn more about Magnet Culture

    Find special resources from Magnet Vault

    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.

  • We all love giving advice! But when advice is your default as a leader, you can fall into an “advice trap” that actually crushes curiosity, creates disconnect, and prevents your team from finding productive outcomes.

    Bestselling author Michael Bungay Stanier (MBS) tackles this subject in his newest book The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious & Change the Way You Lead Forever. In this episode, MBS shares some of the key lessons from the advice trap and his other books, including lessons and insights leaders can use to change their mindset, grow their curiosity, and create great new habits for building curiosity.

    2:17 – With more curiosity, you can engage your people, boost morale and retention, and create a thriving organization

    3:31 – Slow down in your rush to provide immediate advice

    4:16 – As a leader, shift away from making advice your default response

    5:13 – With curiosity, you can become a more strategic leader

    6:11 – Defaulting to giving advice is often an ingrained habit

    6:48 – When you start being more curious, you let others shine

    7:17 – Curiosity can also strengthen your relationship with your family and others outside of work

    8:40 – Forming new curiosity habits can take time and practice

    9:47 - If you always give answers and advice, your team can become over-dependent, more disconnected, and less productive

    10:48 – Through more curiosity, you and your team can find the purpose of your work

    12:22 – While practicing curiosity and other new skills, approach it with patience and grace for yourself

    13:28 – Be specific and deliberate in building your coaching habit

    14:13 – Your team are your allies

    15:19 – Instead of answering right away, stay in a place of curiosity a little bit longer

    16:53 – Ask curious questions to find the root cause of issues within your team

    18:48 – Asking questions can be more effective than giving advice

    20: 11 – Your job isn’t to come up with the best answer, but to help your team come up with the right answer

    21:42 – To practice curiosity, pay attention to your body language

    Connect with Michael Bungay Stanier

    Visit his website and download chapter one of The Coaching Habit

    Learn more about Box of Crayons

    Read my book reports of The Coaching Habit

  • 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

    Learn more about NSG

  • In manufacturing, retention and recruitment are two of the biggest challenges. To attract great talent and keep your best team members, you need to set yourself apart from the competition—and you can start by improving your response times!

    In this episode, join guest Jay Baer for a deep-dive into the tools and procedures you need to improve efficiency, strengthen your communications, and bridge the “uncertainty gap” in your organization.

    Jay Baer is a researcher and advisor specializing in business growth and customer experience. He’s also a seventh-generation entrepreneur, the author of seven bestselling books, the creator of six multi-million dollar companies, and a popular tequila influencer and educator.

    3:50 – There is a correlation between responsiveness and revenue

    5:34 – People care about their time more than ever, which is why it’s important to respect the time of others

    6:11 – Creating an efficient recruitment process is one way to be respectful of other’s time

    7:43 – With a faster recruitment process, you won’t miss out on great talent

    10:32 – Having an efficient system for replying and following-up cuts down on team anxiety and improves your culture

    11:52 – You don’t always have to have the answer right away, but you can improve your relationships by giving a response

    14:31 – As a leader, being responsive builds trust and helps you form better relationships within your organization

    15:08 – Through responsiveness and strong communications, you can bridge the Uncertainty Gap

    17:27 – People are trained to want more details and information

    20:07 – Responsiveness should be a company policy, not an individual choice

    21:40 – Find ways to continuously improve

    23:57 – Customers will often go with the person who responds first, regardless of price

    Connect with Jay Baer

    Visit his website

    Learn more about The Time to Win

    Subscribe to his newsletter

    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.

  • 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]

  • 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

    Visit his website

    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.

  • 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

    Visit his website

    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.

  • Trust is the antidote to so many common issues that can occur on the manufacturing floor. But how can you build trust—both in yourself and with your team? Find out in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with guest Justin Patton! Justin is a certified speaker professional and leadership presence expert, who challenges leaders to reimagine how they lead, love, and communicate. He’s also the author of Your Road to Yes: How to Build Trust in Yourself and With Others and the recently-released The High-Impact Manager: Your Blueprint for Bringing Out the Best in Your Team.

    In this episode, Justin talks about the vital role trust plays in improving your leadership, empowering your team, and showing up as your best self, and shares why transparency, tact, and togetherness are the three key foundations you need to improve how you show up and built trust in your relationships.

    3:10 – Trust requires transparency, tact, and togetherness

    4:03 – Trust is your biggest competitive advantage

    4:41 – When people don’t have all the information, they fill it in with fear or make up stories

    5:59 – As a leader, you can create a culture of trust by having the courage to be transparent and vulnerable

    8:39 – You have to speak your truth, but also take accountability for how you deliver it

    10:41 – When an organization values results over everything else, it leads to issues like a lack of trust, increased disconnect, and poor leadership

    12:22 – Think about who you are at your best, then work to show up for others as that best version of yourself

    14:37 – To grow as a leader, you don’t have to fundamentally change who you are, but can learn how to lean into your best qualities and align your actions and behavior with who you are at your best

    16:21 – Trust is built in small moments

    17:46 – Find the balance between oversharing and transparency

    20:51 – Trust does not leave people second guessing

    21:20 – Choose discomfort over resentment

    22:53 – There are also situations where building trust can require staying silent

    25:43 – Every choice you make either gets you closer to trust or drives you away from it

    Connect with Justin Patton

    Visit his website

    Learn more about his books

    Check out my book reports of Your Road to Yes and The High-Impact Manager

    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.

  • The manufacturing industry just keeps getting greater—and it’s all thanks to passionate, mindful leaders who show up every day ready to engage their teams, improve their mindset, and create an environment where people love to work. One of these leaders is Karen J. Lund, a bestselling author and keynote speaker with a long career in the steel industry. Drawing on her experience in the steel industry, Karin now leads the team at G-Power Global, an organization she founded to inspires corporate and organizational entities to lead with compassion while continuing to focus on productivity, service, and profits.

    In this episode, Karin talks more about transformations facing the steel industry and manufacturing as a whole, and shares why compassion, connection, and conversations are the key to unlocking creative solutions, overcoming challenges, and bringing new energy to the manufacturing floor.

    3:03 – In manufacturing, you can’t do everything by yourself, which makes it very important to seek out and build strong connections

    5:33 – It can be a challenge to form relationship on the floor, especially for younger professionals

    6:48 – When people have connections on the floor, it makes it easier to voice feedback and navigate challenges

    9:01 – By creating a culture that fosters connections and conversation, you’ll find more productivity and more creative solutions

    11:37 – Compassion is the competitive edge

    15:55 – There is a difference between training and learning

    16:39 – Employee resource groups are a strong tool for building connections and community in the workplace

    19:20 – If you want to redefine your industry and image, start by having conversations about your values and how you present to the media and others

    22:25 – In manufacturing, it’s important to have conversations about how your role impacts the work of others, and vice versa

    23:29 – Everyone learns in different ways and some people may need different accommodations

    25:02 – When someone makes a commitment to their industry, it can have a positive impact for entire teams and organizations

    Connect with Karin J. Lund

    Visit her website

    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.

  • When a mistake occurs on the plant floor, your mind might jump to one question: who caused this issue, and should I write them up for their mistake? But there’s a more productive approach you could be taking—and in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing, guest Dr. Jake Mazulewicz breaks it all down!

    With a background as a firefighter, EMT, and military paratrooper, Jake knows the challenges of high-hazard industries, and works with organizations to reduce errors and create safer, more reliable workplace environments. In this episode, Jake shares why you can’t procedularize everything, including the way you handle errors and accidents, and offers great insights and stories about how to use connection and curiosity to improve safety, address errors, and strengthen your organization.

    3:35 – Procedures and policies are the work that is imagined, and on the floor is how the work actually gets done

    4:19 – The work as-done is almost always radically different than the work as-imagined

    5:20 – Even when you have standards and people show up wanting to do a good job, you can still see issues that need to be addressed

    6:44 – There will always be areas that absolutely need to have procedures in place

    8:02 – There are also adaptive jobs, which leans less into procedures and more intro troubleshooting and tacit human knowledge

    10:56 - In an ideal environment, both mechanistic and adaptive models are used and respected and needed

    12:11 – There are four levels, ranging from strict procedurals to looser guidelines that show what to do, but not how to do it

    15:36 – Tacit knowledge gets shared through conversations

    16:22 – A way to share important information is to have frontline experts record videos sharing their insights to problems, especially those that are not covered in procedures

    19:44 – Through conversation and connection, more knowledge is shared

    21:58 – Debriefing also plays a central role

    23:45 – If you have strong discipline, you’ll find more freedom

    25:31 – In most situations, errors are signals, not defects

    27:07 – When an error occurs, be curious and find the deeper cause of the problem

    Connect with Jake Mazulewicz

    Find him on Linkedin

    Visit his website

  • In 2009, total engine loss forced US Airways Flight 1549 to make an emergency crash landing in New York City’s Hudson River—and thanks to the quick actions of the pilot, flight crew, and passengers, all 155 people on board made it safely off the plane. Now known as “the miracle on the Hudson,” this harrowing incident offers up important lessons on staying calm under pressure, coping with traumatic challenges, and making every moment count.

    To learn more, let’s hear from a Flight 1549 survivor! Dave Sanderson is a nationally recognized leadership speaker and bestselling author, who draws from his inspirational story of survival to encourage others to do the right thing and find healthy ways to cope with their own struggles and adversity. In this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing, Dave shares his own Miracle on the Hudson story, and offers powerful insights he learned from being the last passenger off Flight 1549!

    2:18 – Dave shares his Flight 1549 story

    8:11 – In times of conflict, whether it’s a plane crash or issue on the manufacturing floor, calmness and confidence play key roles

    9:05 – To get through challenging situations, you need to manage your own mindset

    10:05 – You don’t need to know everything to handle a crisis, but you have to be able to lead yourself first

    11:09 – Every moment in your life happens for a reason

    13:38 – How to react to and cope with a challenging situation depends on the meaning you attach to it

    14:22 – By reframing the meaning you attach to a situation, you can find healthy and productive ways to react and grow

    15:33 – Everyone assigns different meanings to different challenges, so it’s important to approach others with curiosity instead of judgement

    17:56 – To truly understand others, you need be curious and have authentic interactions

    21:52 – To feel included in an organization’s mission, people need and want certainty, variety, connection, significance, growth, and the ability to contribute

    24:48 – As a leader, it’s up to you to find creative solutions and create opportunity from challenges

    28:57 – If you get casual, it can lead to safety issues, accidents, and other serious problems for your organization

    Connect with Dave Sanderson

    Check out his website and download a free copy of his Moments Matter Magazine

    Connect on LinkedIn to see new blog content

  • In many manufacturing organizations, company values can be seen in plaques on the walls, but don’t show up in the behavior and language used on the shop floor. How can we get core values off the walls and into action? Find out in this episode with guest Adam Hill!

    Adam is the nine-figure CEO of a 4th generation family business, as well as a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and host of the top-rated podcast Flow Over Fear. Throughout his work, he helps leaders and other high achievers rise above fear and realize their ultimate potential in leadership and life. In this episode, Adam shares why core values are so important to organizations—and why holding tight to outdated ideals can cause restriction instead of growth, plus offers insights and lessons leaders can use to make sure their core values are showing up in their culture and behavior.

    4:13 – Core values should serve as a driving force, but can sometimes become restrictive

    6:26 – In some cases, holding onto an old or legacy core value can actually hold back your organization

    8:15 – If your organization is struggling or plateaued, look toward your core values and address what ideals need to stay and which ones can be changed or removed

    9:24 – Culture and strategy are very similar, but can’t be treated as the same

    10:51 – As culture shifts, you might have to shift your behavior while still staying true to your core values

    13:06 – If you want change, you need to create a culture where people feel empowered to speak up

    14:19 – If people in your organization don’t feel comfortable speaking up, it can lead to unsafe environments

    16:29 – Healthy conflict is often necessary when discussing which core values to keep or get rid of, especially in family or legacy companies

    21:50 – The strongest core values are the ones that can grow and evolve with your organization

    24:00 – Great results can arise from challenging conversations

    Connect with Adam Hill

    Visit his website

    Listen to his Flow Over Fear podcast

  • If you want to improve safety, quality, productivity, and results, the first step is looking toward improving connection. With more mindfulness and connection, your entire organization can thrive—and in this episode, guest Jon Gordon is here to show you exactly how you can improve connection and fight disconnect in your organization!

    Jon is one of the top three leadership speakers in the world, and his talks on mindset and leadership have inspired hundreds of individuals and organizations. He is also the bestselling author of 28 books, including one of my favorites, The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy. In this episode, Jon delves deeper into some of the insights in The Energy Bus to share how leaders can use positivity and connection to improve results and combat difficult situations.

    3:31 – You are always going to have to deal with negative people, or energy vampires, but overcoming them is a key part of your journey to connection

    4:40 – Every negative person is a test for you to find your own power and resiliency

    6:40 – We are meant to be connected, which is why disconnect and isolation leads to anxiety and other mental health issues

    7:55 – The more united and connected you are, the stronger you’ll be as a team

    10:10 – If you only focus on the results instead of the process, it can lead to disconnect and other negative outcomes

    11:15 – Feed yourself with words of positivity and encouragement instead of listening to negative self-talk

    12:30 – Understand the wound behind your negative thoughts, so you can find a way to speak truth to them

    13:49 – By embracing opportunities to heal and grow, you become a stronger leader for your team

    16:25 – A positive team starts with positive leadership

    18:03 – Understanding the dynamics of your team can help you find ways to improve connection

    20:23 – You need both love and accountability

    22:48 – There will always been the need for difficult conversations, so find a way to deal with them and make them less difficult for you and your team

    24:49 – You can’t be thankful and stressed at the same time

    Connect with Jon Gordon

    Visit his website

    Learn More about The Energy Bus and his other books

    Read my previous book report on The Energy Bus

    Connect on LinkedIn and social media

    Hear Jon's podcast with Alan Mullally

  • “I’m great in my role and have valuable information to share . . . so why doesn’t anyone want to work with me?” If you’ve ever asked yourself this question, this podcast with guest Karine Leblanc is for you! Karine Leblanc is a bestselling author and international public speaker who uses her unique engineering background to help technical professionals bridge the bridge between technical brilliance and human connection. In this episode, Karine shares her personal story of discovering the importance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence,

    4:10 – In any role, there is much more to do that simply learn the technical role of your job

    5:00 – By having a mentor or someone else you trust in your organization, you can gain valuable feedback and insights

    6:18 – To better yourself through feedback, you need to be ready to hear feedback and make it clear to your team that you’re open to listening to them

    8:30 – When you work on yourself and improve your self-awareness, it can have a positive impact on all levels of your information, including your relationships with clients

    9:45 – Emotional intelligence is not about being happy all the time, but learning to be self-aware of your own emotions and behaviors

    10:42 – Through being intentional conversations with your team, you can still find productive outcomes and dynamics even when you’re not at your emotional best

    11:51 – Have the courage to be vulnerable

    15:05 – By being self-aware and intentional, you can learn your own behavioral signals and find the best ways to navigate challenging situations

    16:18 – Using emotional intelligence, you can also learn other people’s behavioral signals and triggers, and find the best way to communicate with them

    18:12 – If you’re stuck, all you need is a fresh perspective

    19:09 – To find new perspectives and feedback, take a pause and zoom out

    21:23 – Through simple and honest dialogue, you can improve safety and find more productive results

    22:37 – When you combine technical skills with human skills, magic happens

    Connect with Karine Leblanc

    Visit her website

    Connect on LinkedIn

  • There’s a four-letter word you should avoid on the manufacturing floor . . . and it’s not the one you think! In this episode, hear from guest Shawn Rhodes on why hope is the four-letter word you should remove from your processes. With a background as a war correspondent, Shawn knows firsthand how environments can quickly change, and now serves as a speaker, author, and international expert helping others learn how to pivot when change enters their plans. In this episode, Shawn discusses why hope shouldn’t be part of your strategy on the manufacturing floor, and pulls from his unique background to share actionable ways to replace hope in your organization and operations.

    2:58 – If you rely on hope and wait for your environment to change, it can spell failure

    3:15 – Identify where you’re using hope in your plans, then replace it with something else

    5:08 – As a leader, replacing hope starts with changing your mindset

    6:03 – To replace hope, identify areas where issues could occur, then work to address the issues

    8:50 – By making small changes, you can eliminate bigger issues and free up more time and resources for yourself and your team

    11:18 – By changing your mindset to remove hope, you will also create a positive standard for your team and organization

    13:51 – Take time to monitor your environment and assesses what is and isn’t working

    15:07 – Set objectives and figure out what you need to do to reach them

    18:40 – As a leader, your biggest concern should be living up to your potential and fully showing up in how you serve

    21:05 – Replace hope with systems and processes

    21:53 – Take ownership and think about what you could do differently as a leader and how you can put those changes into action

    25:16 – Have the courage to take a pause or briefly shut down operations, and it will save major time and stress down the line

    27:30 – If you put in the work to replace hope and improve your leadership, success will find you

    Connect with Shawn Rhodes

    Find him on LinkedIn

    Learn more about Shawn’s book Pivot Point

  • Do you want to improve relationships at your organization and change the way you show up for your team? It all starts with self-awareness . . . and in this episode, guest Zovig Garboushian is here to show you the tips you need to become a self-awareness champion!

    With years of experience in brand marketing, management consulting, and leadership development, Zovig now puts her passion and experience to use at Boldness Ablaze, a boutique professional firm that helps leaders overcome personal limitations and find authentic success. In this episode, Zovig delves into the important topic of self-awareness and shares her favorite tips on how leaders can use skills like curiosity and compassion to grow their self-awareness, form healthier connections, and find the life they want to have.

    2:30 – Self-awareness is the key to having the kind of life you want to have

    2:50 – It is also about the ongoing and evolving relationship you have with yourself

    7:20 – Through self-awareness, you develop the ability to notice and change when something in your life feels incongruent with what you want for yourself

    8:40 – The more we connect to ourselves, the more we behave in our natural ways

    9:12 – Our essence is our unique way of showing up and adding value to the world

    11:24 – Self-awareness also requires you to attend to yourself and practice self-care

    13:25 – One way to practice self-awareness is to take small moments throughout your day to pause and reflect on how you want to show up

    16:43 – Another self-awareness tip is to observe yourself, your behavior, and your interactions and reactions

    18:40 – By staying self-aware and reflecting on your own behavior, you can improve your relationships with others in your organization

    19:48 – Showing up with self-awareness takes courage

    20:18 – Everything we do for others begins with ourselves

    20:35 – Self-awareness includes curiosity, compassion, and acceptance for ourselves

    22:05 – You’re never going to treat someone else better than how you treat yourself

    24:26 – You deserve to take time for yourself

    Connect with Zovig Garboushian

    Visit her website

    Email [email protected]

    Connect on LinkedIn