“What Else Can I Do to Help?” And Other Ways to Be Relentlessly Helpful

September 6, 2023By OpKicksArticles by Trevor, Leadership, Podcast Preview, Productivity

“What else can I do to help?” When Susan Baier, a professional speaker and the founder of Audience Audit, was fresh out of college, this simple question changed the entire trajectory of her career. As she recently shared as a guest on my Mindfulness Manufacturing podcast, Susan was in an interview with an advertising professional … Read More

Three Ways to Prepare for an Ovation-Worthy Performance

September 6, 2023By OpKicksArticles by Trevor, Leadership, Podcast Preview, Productivity

Any conversation has the potential to be an ovation-worthy performance! This is the basis of Michael Port’s book, Steal the Show: From Speeches to Job Interviews to Deal-Closing Pitches, How to Guarantee a Standing Ovation for All the Performances in Your Life. As a former professional actor and the founder of Heroic Public Speaking, Michael … Read More

Bringing Everyday Magic to the Manufacturing Floor

July 12, 2023By OpKicksArticles by Trevor, Leadership, Podcast Preview, Productivity

On the manufacturing floor, you might not see rabbits being pulled out of hats or people vanishing in a puff of smoke, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t everyday chances to create a little magic! According to my recent Mindfulness Manufacturing podcast guest, speaker, author, entrepreneur (and magician!) Jon Petz, magical moments are all around. … Read More

Body Language: The Key to Improving Communications, Addressing Conflicts, and Growing Connections

July 10, 2023By OpKicksArticles by Trevor, Leadership, Podcast Preview, Productivity

Why does communication break down and lead to conflict? Can we find a way to harness emotions for good? Or are we always doomed to division and misunderstandings? These are questions that have come up time and time again throughout history, and which have been asked by everyone from presidents and dignitaries to manufacturing leaders … Read More

Using Connection to Improve Communications

May 30, 2023By OpKicksArticles by Trevor, Leadership, Podcast Preview, Productivity

Think about a train traveling down the tracks. If the locomotive train engine isn’t connected to the other cars, what will happen? The train will detach, causing massive delays! This also applies to manufacturing: if top-level leadership isn’t connected to the shop floor, there’s bound to be miscommunications, productivity breakdowns, and more. This was just … Read More

How to Find—and Use—Your “Emotional Magnet” to Improve Your Relationships

May 10, 2023By OpKicksArticles by Trevor, Leadership, Podcast Preview, Productivity

What is your “emotional magnet?” In her book Emotional Magnetism: How to Communicate to Ignite Connection in Your Relationships, my friend (and fellow Canadian!) Sandy Gerber shares how everyone has an emotional magnet, or a factor that motivates and impacts their interactions with others. She breaks them into four categories, with the acronym SAVE: S: … Read More