153 Closing the Generational Gap: What Manufacturing Leaders Must Get Right Now with Michelle McCullough
Release Date: 10/01/2025
159 The Showing Up Gap: Why Great Manufacturing Leaders Get Overlooked with Susan M. Barber
Mindfulness Manufacturing
In manufacturing, it often feels like there’s nothing more importance than performance. If they want to move up in their career, leaders are told to hit their targets, keep the line running, and solve problems as quickly as possible. But in reality, performance alone rarely drives real career growth. If you want to actually grow in your manufacturing career, it’s time to put more emphasis on visibility, curiosity, and building stronger relationships. Learn more in this episode with guest Susan M. Barber, a former Fortune 500 leader with over 25 years of experience at Kraft Heinz. She’s...
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158 Improving Manufacturing Retention Through Purpose, Optimism, and Better Relationships with Kathy Miller
Mindfulness Manufacturing
Welcome back to previous guest Kathy Miller! Kathy is a member of the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame and has held leadership roles at General Motors, Delphi, and Rolls-Royce. She is also the co-author of Steel Toes and Stilettos and the author of a new book, MORE Is Better, which introduces practical frameworks for frontline plant leaders. She’s an expert in blending academic research with real-word stories, and it’s always great to hear her insights! In this episode, Kathy draws on both her manufacturing experience and her master’s degree in applied positive psychology to...
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157 Better Teams, Better Outcomes: Manufacturing Leadership Through Deeper Conversations with Reggie Davis
Mindfulness Manufacturing
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 if you’re ready to transform your leadership and change how you show up for your team, the first step is leaning into discomfort. Learn more with guest Reggie Davis, the founder of UpLift Coaching and Consulting and the author of Better Together: Embracing the Discomfort of Difference. With over two decades of leadership experience, Reggie helps people navigate the hard-but-necessary conversations they need to forge lasting...
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156 Manufacturing Teamwork and Accountability: Leading with the Thermostat Mindset with Sheri Holt
Mindfulness Manufacturing
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 might be acting like a thermometer. But with practice and the right mindset, you can become a thermostatic leader who sets the climate for your whole team or organization. Learn more in this episode with guest Sheri Miller Holt, the author of Thermostatic Leadership: The Quiet Power of Creating Balance and Influence. Drawing on her years of experience in organizational development and leadership training, Sheri unpacks the true meaning of thermostatic...
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155 Culture Improvement Starts with Self-Awareness in Leadership with Anne Bonney
Mindfulness Manufacturing
Change can be daunting, but learning how to effectively navigate uncertainty and discomfort is essential for leaders who want to grow their mindset, shift from panic to curiosity, and show up as their best selves for their team. In this episode, take a deep dive into the psychology of change with Anne Bonney, a certified speaking professional, leadership expert, and TEDx speaker who specializes in helping leaders navigate change. She covers topics like how leaders can shift their mindset to thrive in uncertainty, how to manage the fear of the unknown, and why understanding the human brain’s...
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154 Break the Blame Cycle: Approaches to Solving Problems with Maggie Harlow
Mindfulness Manufacturing
If you want to change your results, you need to change your approach. These words of wisdom come from Maggie Harlow, the co-owner of Signarama Downtown in Louisville, Kentucky. With years of experience in the custom sign manufacturing industry, Maggie doesn’t just talk about leadership—she lives it. She’s also a keynote speaker and speaks on a range of topics, including visionary leadership, gratitude, and finding new approaches to problem-solving. In this episode, Maggie shares more about her background in the sign industry and offers practical, transformative insights on what it...
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153 Closing the Generational Gap: What Manufacturing Leaders Must Get Right Now with Michelle McCullough
Mindfulness Manufacturing
When your workplace includes baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z employees, it can seem impossible to keep everyone happy and fulfilled. In a multigenerational workplace, can you really create an environment where everyone feels supported, valued, and motivated? It is possible—and in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing, guest Michelle McCullough provides the insights and tools you need to drive engagement, trust, and emotional well-being across all generations. Michelle is a nationally recognized speaker, leadership expert, and workplace culture expert and has spent years...
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152 Why Your Team Lacks Motivation and How You Can Improve It with Jim Pancero
Mindfulness Manufacturing
When you’re dealing with a disengaged team or low morale on the manufacturing floor, a motivation team might sound like a myth. But with the right mindset and workplace environment, you can improve morale, performance, and engagement. Learn more on the Mindfulness Manufacturing podcast with guest Jim Pancero! Jim is a legendary sales and leadership coach and has over 40 years of experience working with manufacturing, warehouse, and distribution teams. In this episode, he shares insights on what truly motivates teams, touching on subjects like positive communication, building engagement, and...
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151 You Think People Don't Want to Work in Manufacturing? You're Asking the Wrong Questions with Chad Littlefield
Mindfulness Manufacturing
Do you want drive results, retain your team, and create a culture where people show up and stick around? Then it’s time to embrace the art of powerful questions! Through curious questions and intentional conversations, you can change the way people think and work. Learn more in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with guest Chad Littlefield, a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and the creator of We! Connect cards, which help leaders ask powerful questions and cultivate deeper conversations. Chad shares stories that highlight the power of questions, unpacks the struggles many leaders...
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150 Lessons from the Pentagon: Commanding Our Chaos with Angela Billings
Mindfulness Manufacturing
Are you ready to handle a crisis at your manufacturing plant? Find out in this episode, which is all about crisis communication and how to lead under pressure. This episode’s guest in Angela Billings, a seasoned strategic communication with over 20 years of experience in the Air Force—including during September 11th, when she was stationed at the Pentagon. She is also the author of Command the Crisis: Navigate Chaos with Battle-Tested Public Relations and Communication Strategies. Angela shares gripping stories from her career and firsthand experience at the Pentagon, plus offers...
info_outlineWhen your workplace includes baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z employees, it can seem impossible to keep everyone happy and fulfilled. In a multigenerational workplace, can you really create an environment where everyone feels supported, valued, and motivated?
It is possible—and in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing, guest Michelle McCullough provides the insights and tools you need to drive engagement, trust, and emotional well-being across all generations. Michelle is a nationally recognized speaker, leadership expert, and workplace culture expert and has spent years researching how leaders can build more resilient, connected, and productive teams.
In this episode, Michelle shares key insights from her latest research, including how trust, support, and human connection can radically transform retention and performance on the shop floor. This episode will challenge you to think differently about what your team really needs.
2:50 – Emotional intelligence is especially important in a high-pressure industry like manufacturing
4:10 – Gen Z crave connection, purpose, and mental well-being in the workplace
6:30 – Older generations tend to prioritize stability, while younger generations want social connection
8:00 – When employees understand the impact of their work, they feel more connected and motivated
9:50 – Show an interest in your team member’s lives outside of work
11:00 – Understand that different generations have different motivations
21:00 – Team building exercises can improve cohesion and morale
23:10 – Happiness and resilience training can improve mental health and team connection
24:15 – You should also understanding gender gaps in the workplace
27:50 - When trust is broken, it can be rebuilt through intentional actions like growth, vulnerability, and transparent communication.
29:00 - Employees are more likely to stay and be engaged when they feel supported and understood by their leaders.
Connect with Michelle McCullough
Visit her website
Follow @SpeakMichelle on social media