Negotiation Skills in Manufacturing for Plant Leaders: Influencing Better Outcomes on the Shop Floor with Fotini Iconomopoulos #141

Negotiation Skills in Manufacturing for Plant Leaders: Influencing Better Outcomes on the Shop Floor with Fotini Iconomopoulos #141

Author: Trevor Blondeel April 16, 2025 Duration: 26:17

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!

On the manufacturing floor, leaders face negotiation opportunities every day, from discussing pay increases with team members to working through supplier agreements. In those moments, how can you say less, get more, and drive better outcomes?

In this episode, Fotini Iconomopoulos, master communicator and author of Say Less Get More: Unconventional Negotiation Techniques to Get What You Want, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, communication skills, and strategic thinking for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, and Shift Supervisors.

Fotini explains how stronger negotiation skills improve accountability, trust building, and employee engagement. You will learn practical techniques for handling difficult conversations, influencing outcomes, and strengthening your leadership presence on the shop floor.

1:00 – Learning how to negotiate and communicate is an important skill for manufacturing leaders

3:20 – Negotiation plays a key role in many manufacturing scenarios, like working with suppliers and retailers

4:25 – Be mindful of negotiation opportunities in your everyday interactions

6:44 – Negotiation isn't just about getting your own way, but about changing the thinking of another person

7:00 – To improve your negotiation skills, stay curious and ask questions

7:34 – When negotiation, think about your own emotions and the emotions of the other person

9:19 – Practice striking the balance between logic and emotions in your negotiations

15:12 – Use language that aids cooperation and mutual benefit

18:54 – Opening with an extreme can set you up for a success negotiation, but be sure to consider the ethics involved

21:37 – People are often motivated more by what they might lose, rather than what they stand to gain

22:22 – Silence can also be a powerful tool in negotiations

Connect with Fotini Iconomopoulos

Vist her website

Learn more about Say Less, Get More

Read my book report


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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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 lear…