134 Rethinking Shop Floor Time - Technical People are People Too with Emily Nichols
Mindfulness Manufacturing
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...
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133 Using Your Big Sexy Idea to Differentiate Yourself with Mark Levy
Mindfulness Manufacturing
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. In this episode, Mark talks more about the importance of...
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132 The Power of Leadership in Addressing Bullying and Cultivating Civility with Dr. Renee Thompson
Mindfulness Manufacturing
In manufacturing, it’s easy to get stuck in the four walls of our organization. But when you look beyond your organization—and even beyond your industry—you can find the insights and lessons you need to transform your leadership, improve your culture, and show up for your team! In this episode, hear from outside the manufacturing industry with Dr. Renee Thompson! Renee is the CEO & Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute and works with healthcare organizations to cultivate a professional workforce by addressing bullying and incivility. Renee has authored several books and is one...
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131 How to Take Your Team From Disconnected to Alignment with Mark Kenny
Mindfulness Manufacturing
When your team is aligned, it leads to more productivity, higher morale, and a healthier workplace . . . and on the flip side, a misaligned team can contribute to issues like high turnover or an inability to attract or keep great new team members. What can leaders do to enhance teamwork and bring more functionality to their organization? In this episode, Mark Kenny gives the solutions! Mark is a speaker, consultant, and expert in team building and leadership. He’s also the author of The Hippo Solution: Eliminate the Territorial Thinking and Unleash the Power of Teams, which focuses on how...
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130 Empowering Frontlines Leaders with Lessons from the Drive-Thru with Monica Rothgery
Mindfulness Manufacturing
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...
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129 Harnessing Productivity with More Mindfulness with Sarah Ohanesian
Mindfulness Manufacturing
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...
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128 Using People Power to Transform Organizations with Hugh Hornsby
Mindfulness Manufacturing
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...
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127 Stories for Leading with Curiosity and Empathy with Shane Zutz
Mindfulness Manufacturing
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...
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126 Transforming Your Approach to Retention with Cara Silletto
Mindfulness Manufacturing
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...
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125 Lessons for Saying Less and Learning More with Michael Bungay Stanier
Mindfulness Manufacturing
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...
info_outlineHave you ever wanted to write a book? Do you want to grow your writing skills or find new ways to use words to inspire your team and grow your organization? If you’re ready to take the first steps toward writing a book, AJ Harper is here to help! AJ is an editor, publishing strategist, and former ghostwriter who now uses her skills to help others write transformational books, grow their leadership, and make a unique impact on the world. She shares her methods through workshops like her Top Three Books Workshop, and she is also the author of Write a Must Read: Crafting a Book That Changes Lives—Including Your Own.
In this podcast episode, AJ shares more about Write a Must Read and her experiences as a ghostwriter. She also shares some practical methods manufacturing leaders can use to grow their storytelling skills, whether they’re getting ready to write a book or simply looking for new ways to engage their teams.
1:03 – In a previous episode with Michael Port, we talked about speaking and growing your speaking skills to improve your impact in your organization.
2:39 – As a ghostwriter for bestselling books, AJ gained the experiences and insights she now uses to help others craft must-read books
5:01 – Like manufacturing, crafting a good book means developing strong systems and processes
5:30 – By having a strong and repeatable system, you can overcome challenges like self-doubt or your inner critic
6:28 – A key point of strong storytelling is remembering details
6:48 – To remember details you want to write down or share with your team, write them down in your phone or even record them for later
8:33 – Even if you have a very busy schedule, you can still find times in your day to write
9:17 – Writing doesn’t have to be daily and you don’t have to write a ton of words every day, as long as you find time to write on a regular basis that works for you and your schedule
10:42 – Other people may have already written ideas similar to yours, but the world still hasn’t heard it in your unique voice
11:43 – To connect with your audience, you need to put your reader first
13:35 – By using the reader first concept, you can also find better ways to connect and communicate with your team
14:50 – Even by just acknowledging an existing problem or condition, you can still motivate and support your team or audience
16:37 – Think about the hearts and minds of your audience and demographic
19:12 – Having a script is a way to prepare yourself before speaking, even if it’s just a few key points
20:42 – Instead of only focusing on your own objective, think about how you want to make others feel
21:35 – Don’t expect to be great at first
Connect with AJ Harper
Visit her website, where you can sign up for her newsletter with more writing tips
Learn more in my review of Write a Must-Read