Last October, Insight on Manufacturing Editor Kate Bruns and Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance Executive Director Ann Franz teamed up on a new project aimed at bringing the content of IOM and the work of NEWMA into an audio format: the NEW Manufacturing Insights weekly podcast, which is available at www.insightonbusiness.com/podcasts and wherever you listen to podcasts.
Each episode concludes with the hosts asking their featured guest or guests, “What is your best leadership insight for manufacturers?”
Some of the insightful responses that have aired thus far:
“When I was much younger, I always thought of myself as a student of leadership. And now I’m kind of old, but I still think the skills of leadership are never complete. So my lesson would be never stop learning about how to lead people well.”
— Dan Ariens, CEO, AriensCo (Dec. 8)
“Don’t always accept the accepted practices within your industry. Always look for a way to be different.”
— Jeff Van Zeeland, president, Fox Valley Wood Products (Feb. 8)
“One of the things I always try to do with my team is give grace and give space. What I’ve found over the years is that extending that flexibility — that grace and that space — in no way negatively impacts productivity, but it does boost loyalty; it does boost commitment. It’s a good way to foster communication and it works well for my team and me.”
— Kathy Zuckweiler, director, UW Oshkosh Center for Customized Research (Jan. 11)
“Know your vision for the next step and be ready for it. It is just shocking to me how when I have been ready for the next step, it comes. The next step happens — whether it be the opportunity for me to take a class or funding in a referendum or an amazing industry partnership — when I know what we need next. Know it, see it and be ready for it.”
— Staci Sievert, technical education teacher, Seymour High School (Oct. 19)
“Don’t be afraid to lead. We see a lot of people that want to be managers, but they’re afraid to be a leader. The difference is, effective leaders need to be decisive; they need to be well informed; they need to make thoughtful and strategic decisions; they need to use good communication skills to bring others along with them. Oh, and don’t ask anybody to do anything you’re not willing to do yourself!”
— Greg Kleinheinz, chair, UW Oshkosh Department of Engineering and Engineering Technology (Nov. 16)
“It’s easy to remove the barriers that are within your control. The challenge and most important thing is to advocate, when it’s not in your control, for your team, to say: ‘This is in the way of getting our job done better. That’s not OK; let’s fix it.’ And that is a challenge and an uphill battle, but it’s one that’s worth it.”
— Zach Roisum, controls engineer, Sure Controls (Feb.1)
“Do not let others define you, no matter what job or level you are in your career. Determine what type of shadow you want to cast to others. No matter if it’s a peer, boss or subordinate, work hard to support others with a focus on team success.”
— Jan Allman, vice president and general manager, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (Feb. 22)
“Really take mentors as an important piece of your career development. I don’t believe they can be appointed; I believe they organically are formed. You need to find those people that believe in you before you even believe in yourself. And that was very critical early on when I started working at Microsoft and started Women in Technology – Wisconsin and has been very critical in progressing professionally and personally.”
— Michelle Schuler, U.S. TechSpark program manager, Microsoft (Feb. 15)
“My leadership insight is to really get to know the people that you’re working with. That’s taking time to ask them questions and to listen to understand who they are, because once we understand who the people are who are working with us, we can really help each other and we can help people grow. It ultimately helps the team grow, and it helps the company grow.”
— Anne Troka, community engagement manager, Sargento Foods (Oct. 12)
“Never give up. Always, always follow what you think is worth it.”
— Carlos Martinez, 2024 NEWMA All-Star, HART Design & Manufacturing (Jan. 25)
“I always like to look for best practices, in business and in my life. You’re not alone in this world; a lot of others came before you, and you’re not the only one that is facing what you’re doing. During my time at Harley-Davidson we had a value that was required of everyone, and that was to always be open to influence. Consider that there’s other knowledge out there, that there’s other people out there who can help you.”
— Roxanne Baumann, director of global engagement, WMEP Manufacturing Solutions (Nov. 9)
NEW Manufacturing Insights is a joint production of Insight Publications and the NEW Manufacturing Alliance, produced by B.J. DeGroot of Woodward Community Media. New episodes are released on Thursdays, distributed by Spreaker and available for streaming and download on all major podcast platforms. Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting your Insight account manager, and content ideas and feedback are always welcome at kbruns@insightonbusiness.com.
