Manufacturing has fundamentally transformed society by contributing to advances in mass production technology and creating countless jobs. But in our efforts to improve productivity and efficiency, have we neglected the human aspects of manufacturing? Do we see team members as just cogs in the machine? Or do we recognize their intrinsic values and potential?
The results that you get depend on how you make them feel.
The disengagement plaguing manufacturing teams shows up as decreased productivity, poor quality performance, and increased safety risks. However, the problems bubbling to the surface, undermining the success of your organization, are usually a sign of a deeper issue –
A disconnect from the top to the shop.
75%
of manufacturing workers report being disengaged.
Source: Gallup. [FULL CITATION PENDING - I'll send you the report name and year]
At our recent seminar, Trevor did a masterful job of engaging our clients in an enthusiastic talk about the importance of communication and caring when interacting with each other, especially in the workplace.
— Brant W. Kennedy
Vice President in the Accounting and Auditing Department at HSC; Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution Companies
Inspiring Leaders to Manufacture Greatness and Lead with Curiosity to Drive Engagement.
In his early years as a leader in the manufacturing industry, Trevor saw widespread disengagement as a result of him being a proponent of the traditional command-and-control leadership style. He even had a sign at the top of his boardroom: “Leave your emotions at the door. We have sh*t to do.”
Now, he realizes it should have said “Trevor doesn’t have the skills to unpack what you’re feeling, so we’re going to ignore the data and have a less productive day.”
With a unique blend of humor and vulnerability, Trevor shares his journey of overcoming leadership blind spots. He offers an authentic opportunity for audiences to reflect on the organizational impact of disconnected leadership.
As an expert in emotional intelligence and leadership development, Trevor equips leaders with the skills they need to get curious, spark dialogue, create genuine connections, and drive engagement at every level of daily operations.
With Trevor’s connection-led approach, manufacturing organizations can see benefits like increased safety, improved quality and productivity, prospering profits, and organizational advances that leave competitors in the dust.
This talk is available for tailored workshops and panel discussions.
Connection is the power that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued.
— Trevor Blondeel
Meet Trevor Blondeel
A manufacturing keynote speaker for leaders ready to revitalize their teams and drive results.
Trevor Blondeel is the author of Manufacturing Greatness, a Certified Speaking Professional, and host of the Manufacturing Greatness podcast, with more than twenty-five years of experience as a leader in the manufacturing industry.
To find out what attracts people to manufacturing and what makes them stay, he commissioned a first-of-its-kind study of 1,250 working-age adults across the United States and Canada.
- Certified Speaking Professional and Past President, National Speakers Association Kentucky chapter
- Professional Certified Coach, International Coaching Federation
- Certified Manufacturing Leadership Coach, Center for Executive Coaching
- Certified Genos Emotional Intelligence Practitioner
- Honors Bachelor of Business
Before founding Manufacturing Greatness, Trevor's early leadership experiences—the good, the bad, and the ugly—sparked his passion for developing future leaders, driving organizational change, improving team engagement, and connecting the top to the shop.
Through speaking engagements, executive workshops, and consulting services, Trevor helps manufacturing leaders create a culture of connection, engagement, and empowerment by bridging the gap between management and floor employees.
Clients Investing with Trevor to Manufacture Greatness
Are You Winning the Manufacturing Talent War?
We wanted to know what actually makes people join a manufacturing company and stay there. So we asked the people the industry is trying to hire, not the executives guessing about them. What came back points at the same thing over and over: the gap between what leaders think they're providing and what people actually experience.
More than eight in ten workers said they had experienced or witnessed basic leadership failures at work.
Source: 2026 national research study by Crossover Solutions and The Center for Generational Kinetics. 1,250 U.S. and Canadian adults willing to work in manufacturing or a similar industry.
That research points to three gaps feeding the disconnect between top management and the floor.
01. The Showing Up Gap
The space between how we think we show up and how others see us.
02. The Expectation Gap
The space between what we expect of others and what they believe we expect.
03. The Accountability Gap
The space between what we want people to do and what they are doing.
Relatable, effective messages that leaders can apply immediately.
— Laverne A Roberts
Director of Operations | Energizer
Using actionable strategies and practical advice, Trevor improves results and drives organizational success by empowering manufacturing leaders to foster emotional intelligence and build more meaningful connections with their teams.
Trevor’s message of connection and curiosity encourages leaders to:
Develop Winning Teams
✓ Recognize how emotions drive behaviors
✓ Discover how feedback uncovers blind spots
✓ Turn feedback into actionable developmental steps
Maximize Resources
✓ Develop leader's emotional intelligence
✓ Focus on small adjustments to generate big impacts
✓ Measure observable behaviors demonstrating the results
Embrace Sustainable Systems
✓ Leverage knowledge of personalities to strengthen leadership skills
✓ Address performance issues with clear, authentic and open dialogue
✓ Create a process for shop floor leadership to flourish
In his podcast, Manufacturing Greatness, ranked in the top one percent of podcasts globally, Trevor gives listeners real stories that come from a place of experience, transparency, and authenticity. Most importantly, it’s a space to learn from these stories and apply mindfulness in our everyday work and personal lives.
A message that transcends industries, Manufacturing Greatness hosts guests and discusses topics relatable to any organization or profession.
Listen Now:
MANUFACTURING GREATNESS
Build Teams That Work Together, Get Results, and Stick Around
By Trevor Blondeel
Page Two | May 11, 2027
What if the best people are already working for you?
In his first book, twenty-five-year manufacturing veteran Trevor Blondeel offers a practical leadership framework to bring out the best in the people already on your floor.
Sign up to hear when preorders open.
Manufacturing is under pressure like never before, facing tariffs, rising turnover, and disruptive technologies, all contributing to a growing labor shortage. Finding and retaining a reliable team seems impossible, and yet "deliver results" is the constant drumbeat.
In a 2026 North American study of 1,250 working-age adults across the United States and Canada, more than eight in ten workers said they had experienced or witnessed basic leadership failures at work. Manufacturing leaders can make the biggest difference on safety, quality, and profits, yet we are failing to develop their skills.
There's a solution. The industry needs leaders who can connect, communicate, and drive accountability to engage their team and achieve results. Blondeel shows you how to leverage the resources you already have in your plant to
- achieve stronger engagement from a team who respects you,
- reduce safety incidents and quality issues, and
- hit deadlines and targets without the chasing.
You can accomplish these goals with the Manufacturing Greatness Model, which identifies the three gaps that undermine trust and performance: the Showing Up Gap, the Expectation Gap, and the Accountability Gap. By identifying and closing these gaps, you will make better decisions, replacing judgment with curiosity.
Written for owners, CEOs, plant managers, and frontline leaders, Manufacturing Greatness offers field-tested methods and proven strategies to help you build high-performing teams, lead with confidence, and create a business that thrives.
Get curious about the possibilities with Trevor at your next event.
Contact Trevor
Trevor is currently booking speaking engagements, panel discussions, and media appearances. For speaking requests and calendar inquiries, call or email.