Episodes

  • Plant Manager Effectiveness: 3 Tips for Better Results

    Plant Manager Effectiveness: 3 Tips for Better Results
    Jan 5 2026
    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.
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    9 mins
  • Accelerating Operational Performance Rewind: Leadership Lessons That Stick

    Accelerating Operational Performance Rewind: Leadership Lessons That Stick
    Dec 22 2025
    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
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    18 mins
  • Michael Farrell: 5 Essential Operational Leadership Lessons

    Michael Farrell: 5 Essential Operational Leadership Lessons
    Dec 8 2025
    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.
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    35 mins
  • Employee Development Strategy: Stop Decision-Making Waste

    Employee Development Strategy: Stop Decision-Making Waste
    Nov 24 2025
    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
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    9 mins
  • Beverly Beuermann-King: Workplace Stress and Resilience in Manufacturing

    Beverly Beuermann-King: Workplace Stress and Resilience in Manufacturing
    Nov 10 2025
    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.
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    39 mins
  • Emily Nichols: Human Skills for Manufacturing Leaders

    Emily Nichols: Human Skills for Manufacturing Leaders
    Oct 27 2025
    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.
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    36 mins
  • Ed Holder: Building a Leadership Tapestry | Part 2

    Ed Holder: Building a Leadership Tapestry | Part 2
    Oct 16 2025
    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.
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    50 mins
  • Ed Holder: Building a Leadership Tapestry | Part 1

    Ed Holder: Building a Leadership Tapestry | Part 1
    Oct 14 2025
    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.
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    42 mins