Manufacturing Mentorship Weekly

Aron Kolosik
  • 5.0 (23)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Are you tired of feeling like you never truly leave the plant? The constant emails, calls, staffing issues, production problems, and pressure from every direction can make it feel impossible to disconnect. And somewhere along the way, your own health, your relationships, and your long-term growth have quietly started slipping. You are not alone. Manufacturing and operations leadership is one of the most rewarding career paths in business, and one of the most demanding and isolating. This podcast is for manufacturing and operations leaders who want to keep growing without burning out in the process. Every week, Aron Kolosik shares leadership insights, tools, habits, and lessons from more than thirty years in manufacturing, from the plant floor to the C-suite. This is Manufacturing Mentorship. Let's get to work.

  1. 3D AGO

    Better Plants, Better Lives

    Aron discusses the challenges of balancing work and personal life for manufacturing and operations leaders. He emphasizes the pressures of running a factory, including safety, product quality, and cost management, and the impact of these pressures on personal relationships and health. He advocates for intentionality in all aspects of life, including time management, mental health, and community support. He highlights the importance of recovery during the day and delegating tasks to others. He also promotes his Manufacturing Mentorship Program, which provides a comprehensive system for improving work-life balance and leadership skills. Listen In! Thank you for listening to this episode of Manufacturing Mentorship with Aron Kolosik Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://aronkolosik.com/newsletter/ Linked In @aronkolosik Instagram @aronkolosik Facebook @aronkolosik

    20 min

  2. MAY 13

    Manufacturing Mentorship: The Five Mentors Who Built My Career

    Aron reflects on his journey in manufacturing, highlighting the impact of mentors like Terry Cravada, Mike Damji, Mike McCleary, Mike Burnett, and Liz Radke. He discusses the evolution of his podcast from "Unstuck" to "Manufacturing Mentorship," emphasizing the need for mentorship in the industry. He shares his growth from a 19-year-old co-op student to a C-suite leader, noting the importance of long-term relationships and personal development. He announces plans to launch a YouTube channel for manufacturing conversations and invites listeners to subscribe for mentorship and support. Listen In! Thank you for listening to this episode of Manufacturing Mentorship with Aron Kolosik Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://aronkolosik.com/newsletter/ Linked In @aronkolosik Instagram @aronkolosik Facebook @aronkolosik

    20 min

  3. MAY 6

    Overwhelm Isn't Incompetence

    Aron discusses the importance of recognizing and addressing the "stage two" experience in plant managers' careers of feeling overwhelmed and uncertain. He shares his personal journey from Iowa City to Cincinnati, highlighting the challenges of transitioning to a new role and the critical support from a mentor. He introduces the Conscious Competence Model, explaining the stages of learning and development from unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence. He stresses the need for senior leaders to provide coaching and support to help plant managers navigate these stages effectively, preventing burnout and improving overall performance. Listen In! Thank you for listening to this episode of Unstuck: Break The Mold And Become Unstoppable! Life Assessment Link - www.unstuckmasterplan.com Linked In @aronkolosik Instagram @aronkolosik Facebook @aronkolosik

    21 min

  4. APR 29

    Your First 90 Days As A Plant Manager

    Aron discusses the critical first 90 days for new plant managers, emphasizing the importance of learning, building relationships, and setting clear priorities. He shares his experience at Teva Pharmaceuticals, where he increased production from 350,000 units to over 750,000 units in six months. Key strategies include preparing before arrival, establishing a personal operating rhythm, building relationships, trusting instincts, filtering priorities, managing up, and delegating early. He also highlights the value of mentorship and support systems, such as his manufacturing mentorship program, to help new leaders navigate challenges and succeed. Listen In! Thank you for listening to this episode of Unstuck: Break The Mold And Become Unstoppable! Life Assessment Link - www.unstuckmasterplan.com Linked In @aronkolosik Instagram @aronkolosik Facebook @aronkolosik

    22 min

  5. APR 22

    The Career I Never Knew I Needed

    Aron discusses his journey to becoming a plant manager and the impact of his experiences on his life and career. He highlights his travels to Europe, India, and other countries, emphasizing the importance of family, leadership, and cultural immersion. He reflects on the challenges of moving away from family and adapting to new environments, such as living in Switzerland and learning French. He shares profound moments, like visiting a castle where Martin Luther translated the New Testament, and leading diverse teams in India. He also encourages young manufacturing leaders to pursue their careers, noting the personal and professional growth opportunities they offer. Listen In! Thank you for listening to this episode of Unstuck: Break The Mold And Become Unstoppable! Life Assessment Link - www.unstuckmasterplan.com Linked In @aronkolosik Instagram @aronkolosik Facebook @aronkolosik

    20 min

  6. APR 15

    How To Win When You're Not In The Driver's Seat

    Aron discusses the importance of managing up in leadership roles, using the example of two plant managers who left their jobs due to micromanagement and lateral promotions. He emphasizes the need to understand business needs, build a plan, align with senior leadership, and over-communicate progress. He shares his experience at Phoenix, where he improved production from 350,000 to 750,000 cases per month by addressing supply chain issues and increasing efficiency. He highlights the significance of proactive communication and collaboration to achieve organizational goals and reduce pressure. Listen In! Thank you for listening to this episode of Unstuck: Break The Mold And Become Unstoppable! Life Assessment Link - www.unstuckmasterplan.com Linked In @aronkolosik Instagram @aronkolosik Facebook @aronkolosik

    19 min

  7. APR 8

    The System You Never Built

    Aron discusses the concept of Leader Standard Work (LSW) in manufacturing and its application to personal life management. He argues that time constraints are often misdiagnosed as time management issues when, in reality, they stem from inefficient work processes. He emphasizes the importance of structured rhythms and daily cadences to improve efficiency and reduce reactivity. He shares practical examples from his experience, such as tracking batch records and implementing daily meetings to streamline operations. He also suggests applying LSW principles to personal life, advocating for elimination, automation, delegation, and batching of tasks to reclaim time and energy. Listen In! Thank you for listening to this episode of Unstuck: Break The Mold And Become Unstoppable! Life Assessment Link - www.unstuckmasterplan.com Linked In @aronkolosik Instagram @aronkolosik Facebook @aronkolosik

    21 min

  8. APR 1

    They Went Around Me

    Aron discusses the challenges of leadership in manufacturing, focusing on the issue of senior leaders bypassing plant managers. He highlights two common scenarios: over-management by plant managers and senior leaders bypassing them. This leads to decreased team engagement, instability, and potential turnover. He advises plant managers to set boundaries, create a paper trail of communication, and protect their team publicly. He emphasizes the importance of proactive management and setting a compelling future for the team to improve performance and morale. He also offers support for plant managers facing these challenges. Listen In! Thank you for listening to this episode of Unstuck: Break The Mold And Become Unstoppable! Life Assessment Link - www.unstuckmasterplan.com Linked In @aronkolosik Instagram @aronkolosik Facebook @aronkolosik

    19 min
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5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Are you tired of feeling like you never truly leave the plant? The constant emails, calls, staffing issues, production problems, and pressure from every direction can make it feel impossible to disconnect. And somewhere along the way, your own health, your relationships, and your long-term growth have quietly started slipping. You are not alone. Manufacturing and operations leadership is one of the most rewarding career paths in business, and one of the most demanding and isolating. This podcast is for manufacturing and operations leaders who want to keep growing without burning out in the process. Every week, Aron Kolosik shares leadership insights, tools, habits, and lessons from more than thirty years in manufacturing, from the plant floor to the C-suite. This is Manufacturing Mentorship. Let's get to work.

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