Are you really doing root cause analysis (RCA) or only scratching at the surface of your organization’s problems? When a problem occurs in a fast-paced industry like manufacturing, you want to find the root problem—and you want to find it as quickly as possible! But if you’re not taking some mindful time to ask the right questions and understand the human element beyond your issues, you might be missing deeper, more sustainable solutions.

Learn more about the world of RCA in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with seasoned RCA expert Bob Latino! Influenced by his father, who pioneered research on equipment, process, and human reliability while working for Allied Chemical (now known as Honeywell), Bob profound understanding of both the technical and human aspects of failure. He is passionate about championing progressive leadership mindsets and helping leaders understand and improve systems, rather than simply assigning blame.

In this episode, Bob shares his insights on common challenges with RCA and shares tips leaders can use to move beyond simply fixing broken equipment to creating sustainable reliability through better understanding of human performance.

1:48 – RCA has a PR problem, and is typically only associated with technical failure rather than human factors
6:00 – To improve sustainability and reliability, consider how you approach accountability and blame
7:19 – When an organization is stuck in crisis mode, it looks very different from an organization with experienced reliability
11:32 – “What does right look like to you?” is a great question to ask when a problem occurs
15:41 – Understanding the difference between proactive and reactive approaches can help you shift your mindset when it comes to finding solutions
18:05 – Reliability and maintenance are different departments, as they have different focuses
22:04 – With improved reliability, you can address issues like high turnover and poor leadership retention

Connect with Bob Latino
Find him on LinkedIn, where he shares extensive content
Visit the Prelical Solutions website

In manufacturing, mental health is not always at the forefront. But when you don’t pay attention to your team’s mental wellbeing, it can negatively affect your entire organization, leading to big issues from disconnected teams to high employee turnover. In this episode, find the insights you need to transform your organization’s approach to mental health with guest Adam Nemer. Adam is a former CFO and senior operations leader, whose own mental health struggles inspired him to start Simple Mental Health, an organization that partners with leaders to bring stigma-free mental health culture to their organizations.

In this episode, Adam shares impactful stories from his own mental health journey and offers great insights for how leaders can support their teams, implement stronger mental health practices, and play a transformative role in breaking down mental health stigmas in the world of manufacturing.

1:00 – In manufacturing, one out of every five employees struggles with a diagnosable mental illness
7:58 – To promote better mental health in your manufacturing organization, learn to recognize the signs of mental health struggles, like changes in appearance, behavior, or performance
8:35 – Be aware of team members who might be showing up for work, but aren’t mentally engaged
12:25 – To improve mental health at work, you need to have deep conversations that go beyond just talking about work
16:20 – When your employees are unhappy or struggling with mental health issues, it can lead to a massive drop in productivity, as well as high turnover
21:46 – As a leader, there is power in sharing your own mental health experiences
27:45 – When leaders normalize discussions about mental health, it improves performance and transforms lives

Connect with Adam Nemer
Visit his website
Connect on Facebook and LinkedIn
Learn more on YouTube

In manufacturing, it seems like it’s always go, go go! But what if we could take a moment to pause, think, and act a little more thoughtfully and intentionally? Learn what can happen in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with guest Darcy Luoma! Darcy is an author, consultant, and the creator of the Thoughtfully Fit approach, a dynamic and practical model for enhancing leadership capabilities, improving team dynamics, and navigating the complexities of leadership and teamwork.

In this episode, she shares a deep dive into her Thoughtfully Fit method, plus shares other tips and lessons leaders can use to strengthen their culture, connect with their team, and bring more accountability, intentionality, and thoughtfulness to their organization.

1:30 – Intentionally or unintentionally, culture is set from the top

2:39 – Using curiosity helps separate accountability from blame

4:21 – As a leader, you can help your team stay accountable by setting clear expectations and benchmarks

6:40 – Change your mindset to shift away from blame and toward solutions

8:26 – Don’t ignore your team’s dynamic, or else it can lead to issues like decreased morale and effectiveness

11:04 – By creating intentional space to address team dynamics and communicate styles, you’ll find better results

17:10 – Through a Thoughtfully Fit model, focus on pausing, thinking, and acting intentionally

21:31 – Practicing self-awareness as a leader can improve your team’s dynamics

23:20 – When applying Thoughtfully Fit principals, be consistent and practice even in small situations

Connect with Darcy Luoma

Visit her website

Take the Thoughtfully Fit quiz

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 world. In this episode, she shares more about the important role of human skills, and offers lessons and insights for forming stronger connections, breaking down systemic barriers, and how to improve your “people score.”

2:01 – Even in fields like manufacturing, human skills play a very important role

5:43 – Current and emerging trends, like AI, make human connection even more important in retention and recruitment

8:29 – To form connections, increase your presence on the shop floor

12:36 – Visual uniformity can foster better connections and help you break down perceived barriers

19:39 – If you want more connections, you need to listen to and respect the expertise of everyone on your team

20:37 – To support women in your organization, you need to address systemic issues

23:39 – Even small changes, like using more inclusive language, can have a big impact on your culture

25:06 – We are people first, not machines

Connect with Emily Nichols

Visit her website

Connect on social media: @connectbettertoday

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. He was also a recent speaker for Tedx Talk, where he spoke about using the obvious to stand out in business and in life.

In this episode, Mark talks more about the importance of finding your “big sexy idea” and shares compelling stories from his own consulting experience to show how leaders can differentiate themselves and communicate their organization’s values, mission, and other unique aspects in an engaging and memorable way.

2:18 – To inspire your organization, articulate your values and missions in clear, engaging, and memorable ways

3:44 – When making a claim or sharing information, back it up with stories and facts to make it memorable and relatable

10:22 – To help your team learn your organization’s key values, keep a sheet with facts and stories that highlight your organization’s strengths, mission, values, and other key facts

12:17 – In manufacturing, we often overlook successes in favor of focusing on problem-solving

26:11 – As a leader, communicate in a way that ensures your team members feel valued and integral to your organization’s success

27:00 – Consider staring your meetings by sharing proud moments and highlighting recent successes

Connect with Mark Levy

Watch Mark’s Tedx Talk

Visit his website

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 of only 30 nurses worldwide who have achieved the prestigious certified speaking professional designation. Through her work, Renee is on a mission to create a world where bullying and incivility are immediately rejected, and kindness, respect, and professionalism become the new norm. In this episode, she shares her strategic insights for cultivating a more inclusive and positive workplace.

4:14 – In the workplace, bullying and negative relationships can occur between coworkers, as well as between bosses and employees

5:34 – As a leader, it’s important to equip yourself with the skills needed to address bullying and incivility

7:57 – There are many psychological barriers that can lead to challenges or inaction when faced with problematic workplace behavior

9:30 – Scripting is a way to effectively handle difficult conversations

12:27 – Learn the difference between overt bullying and subtle, more convert bullying, and find the strategies for dealing with both types of behavior

16:40 – Even though all industries are different, strategies for addressing bullying and incivility can still be applied across different industries

Connect with Dr. Renee Thompson

Learn more about Healthy Workforce Institute

Find her on LinkedIn

Connect on Facebook and Instagram

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 leaders can transform their teams and create healthier, more productive cultures. In this episode, he uses stories from his own life to show the importance of team connection, plus offers insights manufacturing leaders can use to strengthen their team, transform their culture, and find the best solutions.

3:04 – There are some key differences between functional and misaligned teams

5:11 – When your team is disconnected, it can lead to issues like high turnover or struggles to recruit new talent

6:16 – As a leader, you play a critical role in setting the tone for your entire organization

8:07 – To strengthen your team, learn to look for dysfunctional team dynamics

10:17 – Connection, cohesion, and clarity are the pillars of a well-functioning team

14:47 – With more clarity and structure, you can improve your team’s functionality

18:39 – Improving your culture can be transformational for your team

24:31 – To find the best solutions, stay curious and build deeper connections within your team

Connect with Mark Kenny

Visit his website

Connect on LinkedIn

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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 female chief operating officer and first LGBT executive for KFC US. In this episode, Monica also shares valuable insights for other frontlines leaders, including strategies for bringing more curiosity and vulnerability to leadership roles.

2:00 – Frontlines leaders often feel the need to jump in and fix problems themselves, rather than letting their team figure it out

4:00 – Shift your mindset to emphasize coaching and supporting, not micromanaging

7:00 – Practice servant leadership through supporting and recognizing your team

13:00 – Instead of just providing instructions, look for ways to observe and provide feedback

15:00 – When problems occur, have deep and curious conversations to find the root of the issue

19:00 – Training is often seen as the problem, but a lack of support can also lead to performance issues

22:00 – All employees are unique and have different standards, so be curious to find out the kind of support and recognition they need

Connect with Monica Rothgery

Buy her book

Visit her website