Episode Details
December 3, 2025
26 minutes
Discover why transparent communication, strong mentorship, and consistent knowledge sharing are essential for modern manufacturing leadership. You’ll also learn how documenting tribal knowledge, adapting leadership styles, and building real collaboration across generations can elevate productivity, retention, and team culture.
If you’re passionate about leadership, workforce development, or creating a workplace where every generation can thrive, this episode is for you.
For detailed show notes, navigate using the timestamps below:
(00:00:00) Challenging Generational Stereotypes
Debunking myths about boomers, millennials, and Gen Z; the real issue is leadership communication across generations
(00:00:32) Podcast Introduction & Episode Theme
Hosts introduce themselves, the podcast, and the focus on leading multiple generations in manufacturing.
(00:01:20) Gen Z Engagement & Learning Styles
Discussing Gen Z's reputation for disengagement, their tech-driven learning, and differences from older generations.
(00:02:03) Communication, Vision, and Transparency
Importance of clear communication, transparency, and casting a vision that Gen Z can engage with.
(00:04:42) Challenges in Information Sharing
Difficulties in providing transparency and clear job responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
(00:05:41) Cross-Departmental Alignment
Need for roadmaps and better alignment between teams to ensure everyone is informed and connected.
(00:06:20) Empowering Gen Z in Manufacturing
Integrating Gen Z into a traditional industry, leveraging their skills, and encouraging open communication.
(00:08:18) Balancing Vision and Listening
Leaders must balance big-picture vision with listening and adapting to team input.
(00:08:37) Transparency and Buy-In Across Generations
Sharing transformation and vision to avoid resistance and foster unity among age groups.
(00:10:06) Flexibility vs. Execution
Exploring generational expectations for flexibility, autonomy, and the importance of delivering results.
(00:11:24) Trust, Accountability, and Knowledge Transfer
Building trust, ensuring accountability, and the critical need for knowledge transfer in manufacturing.
(00:12:56) Mentorship and Self-Directed Learning
Role of mentorship, self-learning, and the balance between guidance and independence.
(00:14:25) Documenting Tribal Knowledge
Importance of documenting processes and knowledge to ensure continuity and clarity.
(00:15:12) Choosing the Right Mentors
Selecting mentors who enjoy teaching and can effectively transfer skills and knowledge.
(00:16:07) Building a Transparent, Data-Driven Culture
Creating a culture where information is accessible, organized, and not dependent on individuals.
(00:17:06) Consequences of Poor Knowledge Transfer
Risks of losing undocumented expertise as older workers retire, and the need for structured mentorship.
(00:19:19) Overcoming Resistance to Sharing Knowledge
Addressing reluctance among experienced workers to mentor newcomers and fostering teamwork.
(00:21:03) Bridging the Generational Gap with Structure
Implementing documentation and mentorship to ensure smooth generational transitions.
(00:22:10) The Basics and the Need for Clear Documentation
Highlighting gaps in basic skills and stressing the need for clear, replicable documentation.
(00:23:35) Leadership, Mentorship, and the Right Personality
The importance of having leaders and mentors with the right skills and attitudes to bridge generational divides.
(00:24:29) Hybrid Procedures and Adapting to Change
Developing procedures that work for all generations and preparing for inevitable workforce transitions.
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Featured Quotes
"Jeremy Axel"
Jeremy Axel
Episode Transcript And Overview
Timeline Notes
Challenging Generational Stereotypes Debunking myths about boomers, millennials, and Gen Z; the real issue is leadership communication across generations
Podcast Introduction & Episode Theme Hosts introduce themselves, the podcast, and the focus on leading multiple generations in manufacturing.
Gen Z Engagement & Learning Styles Discussing Gen Z's reputation for disengagement, their tech-driven learning, and differences from older generations.
Communication, Vision, and Transparency Importance of clear communication, transparency, and casting a vision that Gen Z can engage with.
Challenges in Information Sharing Difficulties in providing transparency and clear job responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Cross-Departmental Alignment Need for roadmaps and better alignment between teams to ensure everyone is informed and connected.
Empowering Gen Z in Manufacturing Integrating Gen Z into a traditional industry, leveraging their skills, and encouraging open communication.
Balancing Vision and Listening Leaders must balance big-picture vision with listening and adapting to team input.
Transparency and Buy-In Across Generations Sharing transformation and vision to avoid resistance and foster unity among age groups.
Flexibility vs. Execution Exploring generational expectations for flexibility, autonomy, and the importance of delivering results.
Trust, Accountability, and Knowledge Transfer Building trust, ensuring accountability, and the critical need for knowledge transfer in manufacturing.
Mentorship and Self-Directed Learning Role of mentorship, self-learning, and the balance between guidance and independence.
Documenting Tribal Knowledge Importance of documenting processes and knowledge to ensure continuity and clarity.
Choosing the Right Mentors Selecting mentors who enjoy teaching and can effectively transfer skills and knowledge.
Building a Transparent, Data-Driven Culture Creating a culture where information is accessible, organized, and not dependent on individuals.
Consequences of Poor Knowledge Transfer Risks of losing undocumented expertise as older workers retire, and the need for structured mentorship.
Overcoming Resistance to Sharing Knowledge Addressing reluctance among experienced workers to mentor newcomers and fostering teamwork.
Bridging the Generational Gap with Structure Implementing documentation and mentorship to ensure smooth generational transitions.
The Basics and the Need for Clear Documentation Highlighting gaps in basic skills and stressing the need for clear, replicable documentation.
Leadership, Mentorship, and the Right Personality The importance of having leaders and mentors with the right skills and attitudes to bridge generational divides.
Hybrid Procedures and Adapting to Change Developing procedures that work for all generations and preparing for inevitable workforce transitions.
Notable Guests
Paul Glover
The No B.S. Executive Coach
Paul Glover
The No B.S. Executive Coach
Paul Glover is No B.S. Executive Coach, whose mission is to Challenge the Best to Become Better.
He is also:
• An Ex- White-Collar Felon.
• A “Recovering” Federal Trial Lawyer.
• A Subject Mater Expert on failing and recovery.
• Who is a TEDx speaker, Vintage Speaker, Forbes contributor, and an author whose book, WorkQuake™, is endorsed by Marshall Goldsmith, a Top 10 Business Thinker.
• An Executive Coach With 30 years of experience who advises and coaches executives in organizations with up to $1 billion in annual revenue.
• A Starbucks addict, and
• A Chicago Bears fanatic.
Adi Klevit
Founder | CEO
Adi Klevit
Founder | CEO
Adi Klevit is the Founder of Business Success Consulting Group and the host of the Systems Simplified podcast. With nearly three decades of experience as an industrial engineer and process consultant, she has helped hundreds of growth-focused companies systematize their operations to scale successfully.
Known as “The Process Guru,” Adi specializes in designing and implementing turnkey systems that reduce dependence on the owner, empower teams, and increase profitability. Her clients range from fast-growing trades businesses to multi-location professional service firms, and she is a trusted advisor to CEOs across the U.S.
Joe Dillon
Divorce Mediator & Founder
Joe Dillon
Divorce Mediator & Founder
Joe is a pioneer in divorce mediation who has been helping couples navigate the end of their marriages with dignity and financial wisdom for over 17 years. As co-founder of Equitable Mediation Services, Joe combines his MBA in Finance with specialized training from Harvard, MIT, and Northwestern University to guide couples toward agreements that protect both their emotional wellbeing and financial futures.
Joe pioneered virtual divorce mediation in 2011, nearly a decade before others adopted online practices during the pandemic. His results speak for themselves: Equitable Mediation Services maintains a 98% case resolution rate, significantly higher than the industry average of 70%.
Jeremy Axel
Host
Jeremy Axel
Host
Founder and sales manager of Fluent Conveyors, brings over 10 years of experience transforming the conveyor industry with innovative design, exceptional service, and strong dealer partnerships. Serving sectors like recycling, agriculture, and packaging, he delivers custom solutions that enhance efficiency and profitability. Known for his strategic relationship-building and customer-focused approach, Jeremy has earned top honors such as Sales Rep of the Year and President’s Club, reflecting his ongoing commitment to growth and industry leadership.
