Resilience for Operations Managers: Helping Teams Push Through Tough Times and Sustain Performance with Rick Ezell #35
Release Date: 03/24/2021
Manufacturing Greatness
Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit and to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter. Now, let’s jump in! In this episode, Bruce Mayhew, corporate trainer, keynote speaker, executive coach, and author, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, communication skills, and trust building for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors. You’ll...
info_outlineManufacturing Greatness
Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit and to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter. Now, let’s jump in! In this episode, Brian Herriot shares insights on manufacturing leadership, productivity, and employee engagement for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors. Brian brings a practical, human-centered approach to help manufacturing...
info_outlineManufacturing Greatness
Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit and to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter. Now, let’s jump in! How do you turn a one-machine operation into a thriving business? Find out in this episode with Ken Handsaeme, founder of On Time Precision. Ken’s unique journey started as a machinist, but when he decided he wanted a better retirement plan, he started his own business,...
info_outlineManufacturing Greatness
Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit and to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter. Now, let’s jump in! In manufacturing plants, the same leadership action can motivate one employee and overwhelm another. Why? It comes down to brain science, communication skills, and how leaders show up under pressure. In this episode, guest Falisha Karpati shares insights on manufacturing...
info_outlineManufacturing Greatness
Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit and to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter. Now, let’s jump in! In manufacturing, it often feels like nothing matters more than performance. Leaders are told to hit their targets, keep the line running, and solve problems as quickly as possible. But performance alone rarely drives real career growth. If you want to advance in manufacturing...
info_outlineManufacturing Greatness
Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit and to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter. Now, let’s jump in! Welcome back to Kathy Miller, Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame member and former leader at General Motors, Delphi, and Rolls-Royce. She is the author of MORE Is Better, which provides practical frameworks for frontline plant leaders. In this episode, Kathy shares insights on...
info_outlineManufacturing Greatness
Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit and to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter. Now, let’s jump in! Strong manufacturing leadership isn’t just about process improvement or hitting production targets. It’s about how we show up for people on the shop floor. And real leadership growth often starts with leaning into discomfort. In this episode, Reggie Davis, founder of UpLift...
info_outlineManufacturing Greatness
Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit and to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter. Now, let’s jump in! Are you leading like a thermometer or a thermostat? If you find yourself reacting to problems instead of setting the tone for your team, you may be acting like a thermometer. With the right mindset, you can become a thermostatic leader who creates stability, clarity, and accountability on...
info_outlineManufacturing Greatness
Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit and to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter. Now, let’s jump in! Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit and to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly...
info_outlineManufacturing Greatness
Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit and to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter. Now, let’s jump in! If you want to change your results, you need to change your approach. In this episode, Maggie Harlow, co-owner of Signarama Downtown in Louisville, Kentucky, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, problem-solving, and employee engagement for Operations Managers, Production...
info_outline01:33 – Rick Ezell; a workplace Chaplain
02:19 – The "boss’s role"
02:46 – Unpacking vs. Venting
03:35 - Work, Personal, and Relational issues
04:25 – The Paradox
05:25 – The impact of time, expertise, and geography
06:11 – The proven need to talk, be reassured, and reminded
08:55 – Listening for the trends
09:30 – Advice for leaders without the luxury of an onsite Chaplaincy service
11:14 – The rules and value of a “listening session”
12:53 – % of conversations at work tend to be about personal and relationships
15:12 – Anecdotal evidence for leader’s job requirements rarely recognized nor assessed
18:00 – The peril of ignoring the non-work-related issues
19:21 – The value of transparency and empathy
21:11 – Healthier people make better employee
24:40 – A manager’s role in partnering with others
26:29 – A renewing of the mind
27:25 – A culture of care and desire for a resource
28:50 – Summary and closure
29:09 – Share your feedback with us
29:43 – End
Have an important message to share or a topic you’d like to hear more about?
Please contact us with your thoughts, feedback, or suggestions.
We’d love to hear from you!
Trevor Blondeel: trevor@operationskickstart.com
Dave Baker: dave@palmettoleadershipcenter.com