Explore every episode of the podcast Accelerating Operational Performance

    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.

Struggling with inconsistent variation in operating performance? Explore how leadership gaps, decision-making waste, and ignoring core issues create unreliable results. Discover strategies including systems audits, targeted leadership development (like OPAL), and active management to effectively reduce variance and achieve high-level consistency across your business.

Greg Schinkel interviews Bob Parker, a speaker, trainer, facilitator, and consultant, about his innovative approach to leadership development through experiential learning. Parker shares the origin story of the Pit Crew Challenge, a unique team-building experience that uses a NASCAR pit crew simulation to teach valuable lessons about teamwork, communication, and achieving a common goal. The conversation explores the benefits of experiential learning, the importance of connecting the learning experience to real-world applications, and the challenges and rewards of integrating soft skills with operational excellence.

Get actionable advice on improving communication, building rapport, and implementing change in operational environments. Learn how to bridge the gap between intent and impact for better leadership.

Uncertainty in your manufacturing business? Learn how effective leadership can turn challenges into opportunities. Discover strategies to navigate uncertainty, improve operational efficiency, and boost your team's performance. You can watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/wNnUi_4lML8

Discover how to champion servant leadership, a leadership style that empowers employees and drives success by prioritizing their growth and well-being.

Learn key leadership insights to connect with people, drive engagement, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Discover actionable insights on lean leadership from James Ott, who emphasizes servant leadership, problem-solving, and mentorship for driving operational excellence. Learn how to empower your team and achieve breakthrough results!

Learn how to foster a positive work environment and drive organizational success from Rick Taborda, CEO of RDJ Bakeries, through servant leadership, continuous learning, and embracing diversity.

Want to drive operational excellence? Learn how to build a culture of continuous improvement with Lean expert Vaidesh Subramanyam. Discover practical strategies and key takeaways for leaders and teams.

Dr. Dawn-Marie Turner discusses change management and shifting from "resistance" to "readiness" by introducing the "readiness mindset." Discover why viewing resistance as the problem can be counterproductive and how to foster a culture of readiness that embraces change. You will learn practical strategies for engaging employees during transitions and ensuring a smooth change process, as well as the crucial role of leadership behavior and mindset in building a change-ready organization.

Join Greg and Kirk in this special Rewind episode as they revisit some of the year's most popular moments! You'll discover valuable insights on involving your team, setting clear expectations, and fostering a positive culture. If you'd like to listen to the full episodes of the clips Greg and Kirk spoke about, they are listed below: 1. Ben Whitney: Improve Manufacturing Operational Leadership and Efficiency - https://youtu.be/Q_lJOt-disA 2. Philip Tocco: Building a High-Performance Manufacturing Culture - https://youtu.be/AzrxgnjjXC0 3. Michael Kerr: Why Culture is the Ultimate Driver of Success - https://youtu.be/6AXSWyxXFNo 4. Lori Da Silva: Essential Leadership Insights - https://youtu.be/x3FuJLsLaJI

Learn the core principles of operational leadership for building high-performing teams. Discover how communication, teamwork, and continuous improvement drive success.

Discover how Actionable's tools and features can help individuals and organizations bridge the gap between learning and doing, resulting in increased engagement, improved knowledge retention, and measurable behavior change.

William El-Khouri, a seasoned leader in supply chain and manufacturing, shares his insights on building resilient teams and navigating misalignment in organizational priorities. With extensive experience in end-to-end supply chain management, we discuss strategies for effective leadership development and operational excellence. Tune in to discover how to foster collaboration, increase efficiency, and drive success in today's dynamic business environment.

Unleash your inner superhero and transform your life! Ayesha Shah, author of The Mindset Prism, shares the power of origin stories, extraordinary compassion, and intentionality to break free from limiting beliefs and achieve success.

Vince Vlaminck, a seasoned EHS leader, who shares his wisdom on creating a sustainable safety culture. Learn about the core principles of operational excellence and how they contribute to both safety and quality goals. Gain valuable advice on mentorship, engaging the next generation of talent, and building a fulfilling workplace where employees thrive.

Michael Kerr, author and speaker, reveals how a positive culture fuels organizational success. He shares actionable tips for building accountability, maintaining momentum on projects, and creating a positive workplace culture.

Join host Greg Schinkel and leadership expert Jason MacKenzie as they discuss the Appreciative Inquiry approach, its impact on strategy, workplace culture, and employee engagement, and the power of leadership training. Learn how involving team members in decision-making and integrating frontline feedback can drive organizational success.

Stuart Morley, a seasoned business professional with a rich background in strategy, innovation, and leadership. Stuart shares his journey and how he became a trusted advisor in business strategy. Tune in to explore powerful insights on strategic thinking, business growth, and the art of turning challenges into opportunities.

Listen to the challenges and successes that have shaped Jason Gscheidmeier's career. He shares his journey of building high-performing teams, the importance of creating a supportive environment, and the valuable lessons learned from both triumphs and setbacks.

Unlock the secrets to operational excellence in manufacturing! Steve King shares his expertise on Lean manufacturing and how to optimize leadership, overcome challenges, and drive innovation in your organization.

Learn supply chain and manufacturing insights into leadership vision, functional direction, and the implementation of Lean techniques to achieve focused improvements and outstanding performance.

Discover key insights on accelerating operational performance and practical strategies for organization, communication, teamwork, adaptability, and embracing technology. Learn how to achieve operational excellence and drive business success with real-world examples and expert advice.

Discover the importance of engaging with people to solve process problems, psychological safety, avoiding generational stereotypes and understanding individual motivations.

Join this insightful discussion on leadership essentials. Discover how your presence as a leader influences team success, and learn actionable strategies for motivation, engagement, and operational leadership.

Tap into the expertise of John Berkmortel, a seasoned engineering manager at Attica Manufacturing, to gain valuable strategies that can foster growth and enhance operational efficiency.

Learn strategies from Ben Whitney to improve processes using technology for better operational efficiency in manufacturing.