Episodes

  • Why Your Team Needs Mentoring and Coaching

    Why Your Team Needs Mentoring and Coaching
    Dec 29 2025
    Are you a “Hero” leader who does everything yourself, or a “Coach” who builds a self-sufficient team? Kirk and Suzanne break down the differences between mentoring and coaching in a manufacturing environment. Many frontline leaders use these terms interchangeably, but understanding how to apply each can transform your team’s culture, reduce your stress, […]
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    19 mins
  • Leader Feeder Rewind: A Look Back at Leadership Lessons

    Leader Feeder Rewind: A Look Back at Leadership Lessons
    Dec 15 2025
    Join Kirk Langford and Greg Schinkel as they look back at the most popular and commented-on clips from the Leader Feeder podcast over the last six months. This rewind episode highlights four essential skills that transform supervisors into highly effective, engaging leaders who drive operational success. We dive into why empowerment is the opposite of waste, how to build resilience through cross-training, and the simple shift that makes accountability a gift.
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    20 mins
  • Being in the Middle of Manufacturing Communications

    Being in the Middle of Manufacturing Communications
    Dec 1 2025
    Feeling caught in the middle between your team and senior management as a frontline leader or manufacturing supervisor? You're not alone. In this episode of Leader Feeder, Kirk and Suzanne discuss how to become a highly effective ambassador for your role in management by implementing a three-step strategy. This is to help your frontline communication and equip you with the communication skills needed to navigate conflict, boost productivity, and foster a positive workplace culture.
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    10 mins
  • Elevate Your Plant’s Performance With These Skills

    Elevate Your Plant’s Performance With These Skills
    Nov 17 2025
    Kirk breaks down four essential frontline leader skills you must master to stop wasting time on low-level issues, boost employee engagement, and achieve lasting high performance on the floor. Stop relying on technical ability alone and start building a culture of ownership and accountability. We cover the hidden cost of "decision-making waste," why part of your job is to motivate your team, and how leading by example goes far beyond wearing your PPE.
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    19 mins
  • 5 Tips for Successfully Moving From Peer to Leader

    5 Tips for Successfully Moving From Peer to Leader
    Nov 3 2025
    You were promoted because you were a rockstar individual contributor—your technical skills are unmatched. But now, as a new supervisor or frontline leader in manufacturing, your job is about leading people, not machines. This peer to leader transition is where most new managers struggle. In this episode of Leader Feeder, Kirk and Suzanne discuss the huge challenges of being suddenly promoted above your peers and share tactical, actionable advice on how to successfully handle the new role. The internal promotion is great, but leading your former friends is tough. If your organization needs support for new managers making the shift from peer to leader, contact us for comprehensive leadership programs.Visit: uniquedevelopment.com | Email: hello@uniquedevelopment.com
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    15 mins
  • Navigating Daily Production Challenges As A Supervisor

    Navigating Daily Production Challenges As A Supervisor
    Oct 20 2025
    Navigate daily production challenges as a manufacturing supervisor. Learn to boost the process, lead employees, and drive continuous improvement.
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    19 mins
  • Improve Your Abilities as a Logistics Supervisor By Focusing on These 3 Things

    Improve Your Abilities as a Logistics Supervisor By Focusing on These 3 Things
    Oct 6 2025
    Are you a logistics supervisor overseeing a complex, high-stakes operation? You're managing materials, warehousing, manufacturing flow, and distribution—all at once! In this episode, we share three practical strategies to help logistics supervisors improve their effectiveness, solve problems faster, and become powerful leaders. Learn how to leverage your team's expertise, communicate critical information precisely, and manage the inevitable conflicts that arise in a complex system with many moving parts.
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    12 mins
  • Three Strategies to Create a Sense of Urgency on Your Manufacturing Team

    Three Strategies to Create a Sense of Urgency on Your Manufacturing Team
    Sep 22 2025
    Do you worry that creating a sense of urgency will lead to employee burnout? We discuss how to create a healthy sense of urgency on your manufacturing team that builds forward momentum and a sense of accomplishment—without causing stress. Discover three key strategies to inspire your team, meet customer demands, and remain competitive.
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    15 mins