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 discuss the pressure and demands faced by modern manufacturing leaders. She also shares practical tools and frameworks today's leaders can use in their own plants to strengthen culture, boost engagement, and drive operational excellence without adding any extra layers of complexity.

1:22 – Representation and diversity strengthens manufacturing culture
3:02 – Positive psychology research is a valuable tool for frontline supervisors, plant managers, and shop floor leadership teams
5:03 – Strengthen manufacturing relationships through creative safety leadership and by supporting accountability without blame
7:22 – Authenticity improves team engagement and manufacturing retention, especially in high-stress environments
08:20 - Transitioning teams from command-and-control to inclusive lean leadership is essential for creating a continuous improvement culture
12:36 - Helping employees find meaning boosts employee engagement and manufacturing retention.
15:56 – Putting curiosity over compliances helps leaders avoid punitive approaches and improves performance conversations on the floor
21:15 – Creating psychological safety encourages employees to speak up early, which fuels continuous improvement culture and operational excellence
22:56 - Finding a balance between realistic optimism and toxic positivity is essential for credible manufacturing communication and decision-making
24:41 – Relationships are the core foundation of manufacturing teamwork
26:22 – Your mindset shapes manufacturing relationships and every interaction on the plant floor
28:37 – Active listening is one of the most effective tools for better coaching in manufacturing.

Connect with Kathy Miller
Visit her website and check out the MORE Mentor resources
Connect on LinkedIn
Buy MORE Is Better
Listen to her previous podcast episode

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 connections and drive deeper change. In this episode, Reggie explores how leaning into tough conversations can strengthen manufacturing culture, team engagement, and employee retention. He also shares practical insights on coaching in manufacturing, building psychological safety, and developing stronger frontline leadership habits that drive both performance and trust.

From plant managers to supervisors, anyone responsible for production leadership or safety culture will take away new ways to improve communication, foster accountability, and create a more connected workplace where better people create better parts.

1:15 – Inclusive leadership and authentic communication improves teamwork, safety, and innovation
3:21 – Discomfort can be a valuable tool for growth
4:33 – Better people create better parts
5:19 – Great leaders focus on results and relationships
6:22 – When you welcome diverse perspectives, you drive teamwork and improve your processes
8:09 – For better conversations, replace "why" with "tell me more."
13:50 – Be aware of how everyday language impacts morale and inclusion on the plant floor
17:30 – Invest in your people through coaching, frontline leadership, and communication training
19:31 – Stay focused on growth, even when the path is uncomfortable
20:40 – Conversations and self-awareness are key to sustainable manufacturing innovation
22:06 – To drive continuous improvement culture, lead with humility and openness
26:39 – Always remember the human side of manufacturing excellence to build trust, reduce turnover, and create a stronger sense of belonging across teams

Connect with Reggie Davis
More about UpLift Coaching and Consulting
Buy his book

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 leadership, plus shares tips manufacturing leaders can use to balance firmness with compassion, create shared accountability, and build stronger, more empathetic workplaces where people want to do their best.

2:20 - Leaders must decide whether they simply react like a thermometer or adjust and influence like a thermostat.
4:00 - Thermostatic leaders empathize, mobilize, and shift the energy in a room toward positive outcomes
6:50 - Real organizational change begins when leaders change their own behaviors and mindsets
8:30 - Leaders should remove barriers that prevent people from performing at their best
10:50 - The biggest obstacle to better leadership is simplicity — people think it has to be more complex than it really is
11:30 - Knowing your team personally builds trust and motivation
12:40 – Sheri's Dr. GRAK framework focuses on shared results, resources, accountability, and agreed-upon consequences
14:20 - Both leaders and their teams should share outcomes, both good and bad
16:30 - When people understand shared consequences, they self-manage and become more invested in team success
22:40 – Shift your "you" statements to "I" statements to avoid accusations and foster empathy
24:50 - Compassionate leadership doesn't weaken accountability — it deepens it. When people feel cared for, they perform better and take ownership

Connect with Sheri Holt
Find her on LinkedIn and Facebook
Buy her book