Execution Discipline in Manufacturing for Business Unit Leaders: Why Hope Is Not a Strategy with Shawn Rhodes #112
Release Date: 03/06/2024
Employee Engagement in Manufacturing for Plant Managers: Designing Time for Frontline Connection with Brian Herriot #162
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, 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...
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Employee Retention in Manufacturing for Frontline Supervisors: How Structure, Curiosity, and Accountability Build Strong Teams with Ken Handsaeme #161
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! 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,...
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Employee Retention in Manufacturing for Plant Leaders: Reducing Uncertainty to Build Engaged Teams with Falisha Karpati #160
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 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...
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Leadership Effectiveness in Manufacturing for Plant Managers: Closing the Showing Up Gap to Increase Influence with Susan M. Barber #159
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 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...
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Employee Retention in Manufacturing for Plant Leaders: Building Purpose, Optimism, and Stronger Relationships with Kathy Miller #158
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! 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...
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Manufacturing Team Performance for Operation Managers: Driving Better Outcomes Through Deeper Conversations with Reggie Davis #157
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! 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...
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Accountability and Teamwork in Manufacturing for Plant Leaders: Leading with the Thermostat Mindset with Sheri Holt #156
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! 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...
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Manufacturing Culture Improvement for Plant Leaders: Building Self-Aware Leadership That Drives Results with Anne Bonney #155
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! 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...
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Problem-Solving Leadership in Manufacturing for Plant Leaders: Breaking the Blame Cycle to Drive Better Outcomes with Maggie Harlow #154
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! 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...
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Generational Leadership in Manufacturing for Plant Leaders: Closing the Generational Gap to Strengthen Engagement with Michelle McCullough #153
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! anaging a multigenerational workforce baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z,can feel challenging, but building trust and engagement across all generations is possible. In this episode, Michelle McCullough, nationally recognized speaker and workplace culture expert, shares...
info_outlineThere’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