Libsyn Directory

Leadership Clarity in Manufacturing for Manufacturing Managers: Setting Direction Through Intentional Action with Jon Giganti #103

Release Date: 11/01/2023

Why People Leave Manufacturing Jobs — A New North American Research Study #166

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. If you have questions regarding workforce development in manufacturing operations in North America, email me at and we will propose it in the project scope of research. Why are manufacturing organizations struggling to recruit and retain great people? Let’s find out together! Manufacturing...

Resilience for Frontline Supervisors: Building High Agency to Navigate Adversity and Improve Team Performance with Vickie Lanthier #165

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, Vickie Lanthier author of High Agency Human: Navigate Adversity and Live Big and former military leader with four deployments shares practical strategies for building personal agency in high-pressure environments like manufacturing. Drawing...

Defining Manufacturing Greatness: Help Me Choose the Subtitle #164

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, most leaders don’t struggle because they lack technical knowledge. They struggle because they’re not connecting with their teams. When skill gaps widen, labor shortages grow, and hiring challenges persist, it’s rarely an operations problem. It’s...

Manufacturing Leadership Development for Plant Managers: Driving Continuous Improvement Through Curiosity on the Shop Floor with Bruce Mayhew #163

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...

Employee Engagement in Manufacturing for Plant Managers: Designing Time for Frontline Connection with Brian Herriot #162

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...

Employee Retention in Manufacturing for Frontline Supervisors: How Structure, Curiosity, and Accountability Build Strong Teams with Ken Handsaeme #161

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,...

Employee Retention in Manufacturing for Plant Leaders: Reducing Uncertainty to Build Engaged Teams with Falisha Karpati #160

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...

Leadership Effectiveness in Manufacturing for Plant Managers: Closing the Showing Up Gap to Increase Influence with Susan M. Barber #159

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...

Employee Retention in Manufacturing for Plant Leaders: Building Purpose, Optimism, and Stronger Relationships with Kathy Miller #158

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...

Manufacturing Team Performance for Operation Managers: Driving Better Outcomes Through Deeper Conversations with Reggie Davis #157

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...

More Episodes

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 www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor’s monthly newsletter.

Now, let’s jump in!

Do your days start with positive intentions but end without meaningful progress? Many manufacturing leaders struggle with intentionality while juggling productivity demands and daily challenges.

In this episode, Jon Giganti, speaker, tech executive, and USA Today bestselling author, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, growth mindset, and employee engagement for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Team Leaders, and Shift Supervisors.

Jon explains how self awareness, agency, and authentic leadership strengthen communication skills, trust building, and accountability. You will learn practical strategies to improve focus, support workforce retention, and create manufacturing cultures where intentional leadership drives productivity, engagement, and stronger results.

6:33 – To accomplish something, you need to show up, serve, and add value

7:08 – Intention is finding out what your priorities are, then living into it as much as possible

7:58 – Every day is a new day with opportunities to be intentional and make an impact

9:28 – In order to serve others, you have to serve yourself first by establishing a routine and setting yourself up for success

10:48 – To find sustainable results, you need to have self-awareness and self-intention

13:13 – You need to put yourself in the right position for success

14:08 – Your energy levels are not the same throughout the day, so being intentional about your time is important

15:44 – Journaling or writing down affirmations is one way to practice intentionality

16:34 – You should also set a core foundation yourself by working on your own standards and beliefs

18:30 – To accomplish what you want to accomplish, show up, and form habits

21:07 – If you want to be more intentional about how you lead or connect with others, start with curiosity, connection, and bridging disconnects

23:29 – To serve others on your team, act as a safe place to connect

24:00 – To get stronger results or find out what is driving a performance issue, stay curious and find ways to connect with your teams

24:39 – Trust also plays a large role in building connections and finding results

25:23 – Along with self-awareness, you also need agency and the ability to take ownership of your past, present, and future

Tune in next episode to learn more about intentionality with Jon Giganti!

Connect with Jon Giganti

Visit his website, where you can learn about his speaking, podcasts, and With Intention course

Check out my book report of With Intention, then get your own copy

TOPICS