Accelerating Operational Performance

In this special edition of the Accelerating Operational Performance Podcast, Greg Schinkel shares critical insights gained from his recent manufacturing site visits in 2025. As we enter the new year, Greg discusses the common traps that keep plant operations from reaching their full potential and provides a roadmap for leaders to go from good to great.

On this Accelerating Operational Performance Rewind, Greg Schinkel and Kirk Langford look back at some of the most impactful conversations from the podcast—episodes that resonated most with plant managers, operational leaders, and manufacturing executives. This episode isn’t about theory. It’s about what actually works on the shop floor and in leadership roles where pressure is real, and results matter. We revisit insights from guests and colleagues on topics like: - Taking the work seriously without taking yourself too seriously - Building psychological safety in manufacturing teams - Managing competing corporate priorities as a plant leader - Rewarding effort, not just outcomes - Addressing toxic behavior to protect culture and performance Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:02 – Take the work seriously, not yourself 04:09 – The reality of plant leadership 05:28 – Managing corporate centers of excellence 06:57 – Rewarding the try 09:29 – Overcoming the fear of peak performance 13:19 – Dealing with toxic behavior 17:07 – Getting 1% better If you found this episode useful: Like the video Subscribe for future episodes Share it with a colleague who leads people in manufacturing If you are interested in the clips, you may be interested in the full episode! 1. https://youtu.be/tONlo100jmk 2. https://youtu.be/8em4CnRl-EU 3. https://youtu.be/dKqoEuP3ZM0 4. https://youtu.be/7YMeyIm6AJc 5. https://youtu.be/KDXcNmQgYIs Small changes in leadership behavior can create big gains in performance. Connect with us: Website: https://uniquedevelopment.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unique-training-&-development-inc-/ Email: hello@uniquedevelopment.com

    Learn operational leadership lessons from Graphic Packaging EVP Michael Farrell. In this AOP podcast episode, Greg and Michael discuss accountability, breaking silos, and leading with authenticity to drive efficiency and productivity in any manufacturing or operational environment.  

Are you spending thousands on training—forklift certifications, safety modules, and leadership seminars—only to see your "Professional Development" scores tank on the annual employee survey? You aren't alone. There is a massive disconnect between what HR calls "investment" and what employees call "mandatory compliance." In this Special Edition of the Accelerating Operational Performance podcast, Greg Schinkel breaks down why traditional training isn't enough. He introduces the concept of Decision-Making Waste—the costly inefficiency that occurs when senior leaders solve problems that should be handled by the frontline. In this episode, you will learn: - Why "training" events don't equal "development" in the eyes of your team. - How to visualize "Decision-Making Waste" in your org chart. - The Run, Improve, Grow framework for high-performance teams. - How to apply the 80/20 rule to daily problem-solving. - The psychology of empowerment: Why fixing problems for your team actually demoralizes them. - Stop being the bottleneck. Start building a workforce that can run the business without you. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:57 - The "Narrow View" of Development 1:23 - Visualizing Decision-Making Waste 2:15 - Empowerment vs. Training 2:54 - The Hierarchy of Value: Run, Improve, Grow 4:24 - The 80/20 Rule for Problem Solving 5:18 - Monkey Management: Stop Taking Your Team's Problems 6:19 - The Psychology of Motivation (Autonomy, Mastery, Purpose) 7:28 - 3 Steps to Build a Better Strategy Resources Mentioned: Ken Blanchard - The One Minute Manager Meets The Monkey: https://www.kenblanchardbooks.com/book/the-one-minute-manager-meets-the-monkey/ Dan Pink - Drive: https://www.danpink.com/books/drive/ Visit our website: http://www.uniquedevelopment.com Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: @unique.leadership

The manufacturing workplace is full of pressure, but the real enemy isn't the busy schedule—it’s burnout and the invisible drain of workplace toxicity. In this episode, Greg sits down with certified speaking professional and resilience expert Beverly Beuermann-King to deliver a practical blueprint for leaders and professionals struggling to stay engaged and healthy.

Master the human skills—connection, communication, and creativity—and the leadership skills needed to bridge the skill gaps in manufacturing. In this episode, Greg sits down with the brilliant Emily Nichols, engineer, keynote speaker, and founder of Connect Better Inc. Emily is a rare blend of technical expertise and human connection. She spent two decades improving products and processes from breakfast cereal to automotive paint. Today, her focus has pivoted to restoring the human skills—connection, communication, and creativity—that are still desperately needed in our increasingly technical world.

In Part 2, Ed Holder continues his story, detailing his successful entry into federal politics, his time as a Federal Minister, and his eventual return home to serve as Mayor of London, Ontario.

    In this first part of a powerful two-part interview, Greg sits down with Ed Holder to map his incredible career journey, which holds powerful lessons on resilience, service, and leadership in both business and politics.  

Ysni Semsedini didn't wait for opportunities; he planned his ascent. The CEO of London Hydro joins Greg Schinkel to share his powerful journey from an electrical engineering student to a top executive, outlining the deliberate steps he took to chart his career path and the essential shift every technical expert must make to become a true leader. Ysni breaks down how he transformed London Hydro's culture from a "low-cost operator" to a "value creator," why a leader's job is to relentlessly remove ambiguity, and how to conquer organizational silos using his "Leads and Ladders" framework. Whether you're looking to make the leap into management or lead a company through a period of rapid change, Ysni's insights on intentional growth, trusting your gut, and putting people first are invaluable. 0:00 | Introduction 3:50 | First Taste of Accountability 11:58 | The Shift from Expert to Leader 18:10 | Navigating Organizational Change & the Value Creator Mindset 21:05 | Combating Silos with the "Leads & Ladders" Framework 23:45 | Relentless Communication 27:00 | Trusting Your Gut and Finding Your "Unique Ability" 30:15 | Your Career is a Tapestry of Experience Guest: Ysni Semsedini LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ysni-semsedini-4628b076/ Host: Greg Schinkel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregschinkel/ Connect with us: Website: https://uniquedevelopment.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unique-training-&-development-inc-/ Email: hello@uniquedevelopment.com

This special edition of the Accelerating Operational Performance (AOP) podcast, hosted by Greg Schinkel, explores how to improve the relationship between corporate support functions and manufacturing operations. Learn how to transform this dynamic by combating organizational distractions and establishing a collaborative partnership. Discover practical strategies to make your business more efficient and effective.

Transform uncertainty into growth. Executive coach James Coolidge offers insights for leaders to reframe challenges as opportunities for reinvention, enhance psychological safety, and leverage mindful thinking for thriving teams and accelerated performance.

Discover how effective leadership development can accelerate operational performance with Dean Crawford, VP of HR at Aspire MRO. Learn strategies for growth and building high-performing teams.

Discover how a human-centered approach to optimizing manufacturing processes can drive innovation, improve team engagement, and lead to significant cost savings.

Join us for a special Accelerating Operational Performance Rewind episode! As we hit the halfway mark of 2025, it's the perfect time to pause, reflect, and make those small, impactful adjustments to your leadership approach that drive big results. We're revisiting some of our most memorable guests and powerful insights from the last six months, offering practical wisdom you can implement today. If you'd like to listen to the full episodes of the clips Greg and Kirk spoke about, they are listed below: 1. Megan Barder: Leadership Development and Operational Performance Strategies - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVoW77yClBk&t=1s 2. Dr. Gwen Acton: Essential Leadership Skills for Scientists - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx7blF0F7Eg&t=2s 3. Kirby Griffin: Linking Leadership Directly to Operational Performance - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htZmytIwIGo&t=1s 4. Lorne Girard on Servant Leadership: How Putting Your People First Drives Success - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXlQLnS6P9o

Explore Jon Heffelfinger's journey to Plant Manager at Hendrickson. Learn how strong culture, mentorship, and empowering teams drive operational excellence in manufacturing. Discover key insights on leadership, overcoming challenges, and motivating diverse workforces.

Harness operational excellence with insights from Mathew Showalter. Learn how people-focused leadership, continuous improvement, and empowered decision-making drive productivity and profitability.

Learn how to build a high-performing manufacturing culture with Megan Barder. Learn how she champions human-centric development, leverages technology, and fosters resilience to drive operational excellence.

Join us and Lorne Kelton, founder of ThinkShift Performance Solutions Inc., as we dive into impactful leadership behavioral change. Lorne reveals his unique "deep dive" approach, moving beyond traditional training to uncover organizational truth through "invasive" on-site observation and quantified behavioral data. Discover how this rigorous method, combined with the power of active listening, drives genuine transformation. Tune in for insights to accelerate your leadership, engage teams, and achieve operational excellence.

Dr. Acton shares her insights on transforming technical experts into high-impact leaders, particularly within R&D and biotech organizations. Discover practical strategies for improving delegation, providing effective feedback, and understanding the crucial impact of leadership on team performance and project timelines. Learn how to foster a leadership mindset, overcome common pitfalls, and increase team engagement and confidence.

Boost operational performance by focusing on people. Learn expert tips on leadership, talent development, and navigating challenges for better results.