Manufacturing Workforce Engagement for Plant Leaders: Asking Better Questions to Attract and Retain Talent with Chad Littlefield #151

Manufacturing Workforce Engagement for Plant Leaders: Asking Better Questions to Attract and Retain Talent with Chad Littlefield #151

Author: Trevor Blondeel September 3, 2025 Duration: 27:06

Welcome to Manufacturing Greatness with Trevor Blondeel, where we work with organizations to manufacture greatness by leveraging resources you already have to achieve greater retention, productivity, and profits. To learn more, visit www.manufacturinggreatness.com and click here to subscribe to Trevor's monthly newsletter.

Now, let's jump in!

Do you want drive results, retain your team, and create a culture where people show up and stick around? Then it's time to embrace the art of powerful questions! Through curious questions and intentional conversations, you can change the way people think and work.


Learn more in this episode of Mindfulness Manufacturing with guest Chad Littlefield, a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and the creator of We! Connect cards, which help leaders ask powerful questions and cultivate deeper conversations. Chad shares stories that highlight the power of questions, unpacks the struggles many leaders face when it comes to genuine dialogue, and offers actionable tips for using curiosity and intention to engage your team. If you're ready to learn how to drive better results, ask stronger questions, and build a workplace where people want to stay and grow, you won't want to miss this conversation.


1:02 – In manufacturing, we often struggle with creating genuine conversations 
2:18 – Intentional plays a critical role in building safe conversations
4:17 – When initiative is met with gratitude, it can lead to long-term loyalty and promotion
8:14 – Expressing intentions directly creates clarity and stronger connections
14:40 – People want to work, they just don't want to work for someone who doesn't care about them
16:35 – Leadership at the top influencers your entire organization 
17:59 – Ask the second question to take a conversation to a deeper level
21:20 – Use open-ended questions to deepen reflection and learning 


Connect with Chad Littlefield
Watch his videos on YouTube
Visit his website and find free resources 


Trevor Blondeel hosts Manufacturing Greatness, a series built on the belief that the most valuable insights come from real-world experience. Each episode features candid conversations with leaders from the factory floor and beyond, focusing on the human side of industry challenges. You’ll hear stories that tackle the pressing issues of retention, skills gaps, and labor challenges with a sense of transparency rarely found in business discussions. This podcast digs into practical strategies for continuous improvement and workforce development, connecting them directly to productivity and safety outcomes. Rather than abstract theory, Trevor and his guests explore how to leverage existing resources and people to build a more resilient operation. The dialogue naturally extends to what Industry 4.0 means for frontline supervisors and plant managers, framing technology as a tool for human empowerment. It’s for anyone who believes that sustainable profits are built through authentic leadership and a relentless focus on developing people. By listening, you gain access to a community focused on pragmatic solutions, where the shared goal is to cultivate excellence from the ground up in a constantly evolving manufacturing landscape.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Manufacturing Greatness | Productivity | Retention | Profits | Continuous Improvement | Safety | Workforce Development | Labor Challenges | Skills Gaps | Industry 4.0
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