Jul 26, 2023
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!
First impressions matter on the manufacturing floor, and appearance plays a bigger role in leadership presence than many realize.
In this episode, Morgan Wider, personal style expert, speaker, and founder of Wider Style, shares insights on manufacturing leadership, communication skills, and authentic leadership for Operations Managers, Production Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Team Leaders, and Shift Supervisors.
Morgan explains how confidence, emotional intelligence, and intentional presentation support trust building and employee engagement. You will learn practical strategies to strengthen leadership presence, improve feedback delivery, and show up with clarity in male dominated manufacturing environments while supporting productivity, workforce retention, and professional growth.
2:42 – You only have seven seconds to make a strong first impression, and your appearance is typically one of first elements others notice about you
4:03 – By dressing as your authentic self, you also encourage your team to be themselves and show up in their own authentic ways
5:18 – Even if your role requires a uniform, there are still ways to show your own authentic personality and style, like through hair or makeup choices
6:20 – In male-dominated industries like manufacturing, women may feel like they need to blend in with their fashion choices, but this can also keep them from showing up as their most authentic selves
9:12 – In your clothing and appearance, you need to be both authentic and appropriate
10:33 – Make style choices that honor who you are and truly present who you are in the best way possible
11:33 – By being mindful of factors like your body type, age, strengths, and weakness, you can dress in a way that’s both appropriate for your role and honors who you are as an individual
12:24 – When you’re comfortable and happy with how you look, it improves your productivity and morale, plus makes you feel better and more confident
13:23 – By putting effort into your appearance, you can get yourself into the mindset you need
14:39 – Different audiences and occasions can mean different style choices
18:40 – If you don’t put in the effort, it can affect how others perceive you and how you show up
25:30 – As a leader, think about what you can do to create a space than honors diversity
26:58 – If find yourself in a space or role where you can’t be your authentic self, it might be time to consider if it’s the right space for you
Connect with Morgan Wider
More on her book, The Worthy Wardrobe