Episode 127
How to Lead Every Generation on Your Team
Why Listening, Trust, and Adaptability Matter More Than Control
Episode summary
What does it take to lead a team made up of different generations, different work styles, and different expectations?
In Episode 127 of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding talks with Mark Adams, Director Global Channel at Advanced Energy. Mark has led teams in distribution, engineering, channel sales, and manufacturing. He has managed factory teams, built partner programs, and worked directly with customers. He knows what actually works in the electronics industry, not just in theory.
This conversation is for leaders who want to build trust, keep talent, and get real performance without micromanaging.
You will learn:
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- How to adapt your leadership style for different generations on the same team
- Why listening is a core leadership skill, not a soft skill
- How empowerment drives confidence, ownership, and better work
- How customer expectations moved from B2B vs B2C into what Mark calls B2E, business to everyone
- How to run teams in an industry that moves fast and still stay human
If you lead in electronics, manufacturing, distribution, or supply chain, this episode gives you practical habits you can start using today.
Listen now and subscribe to Leadership in Manufacturing.
Key takeaways
Listening builds trust
Good leadership starts with active listening. Not waiting to talk. Listening to understand how people work, what they need, and what is blocking them.
This is not about trying to act young. This is about respect, clarity, and access. That is what creates loyalty.
“You have to be a listener. You have to be an active listener. Not just hear it while you’re thinking about what you’re going to say next.”
Why this matters
Adaptability keeps your team
People stay and perform for leaders who listen to them and respect how they work.
Adaptability keeps your team
You cannot lead every generation the same way. People show up differently. Some want independence. Some want coaching and checkpoints. Some only want to text. Some will never turn their camera on.
“You cannot force them into a mold that you want them to be, because if you do, they’ll just leave.”
Empowerment drives confidence and performance
Younger talent is not waiting around for you to change. They will just move. If you want to attract and keep them, you have to adjust how you lead.
Giving people ownership and trust changes how they show up. Micromanagement slows teams down.
“Trust is a powerful tool. If they know that you trust them, they’ll operate differently. They’ll operate with confidence.”
Leadership today is people first, not rule book first
Empowerment is not the same as disappearing. You still check in, you still support, you make sure the goal is clear. But you let them think and solve.
Older playbooks do not automatically apply. The person leading has to shift.
“They’re not going to adapt to us. We have to adapt to them. And if we don’t, then it’s going to be a tough battle. But it’s going to be a fun battle. Work with them. Get excited about it.”
“If you want to build trust, it starts with listening and understanding where people are coming from.”
Episode highlights
How to bridge generational gaps on your team
Mark explains that you will not motivate everyone the same way, and you should stop trying to. Instead, learn how each person prefers to communicate, and lead from there. Some people want to talk live. Some want a quick text. Some want face time. Some want space. Your job is to read that, not fight it.
How to know if you are actually a good leader
You do not get to decide that you are a good leader. Your team does.
Mark says one sign is if people stay with you, want to work with you again, and even refer their son, daughter, or former teammate to you. Retention and referral say more than your title.
How to run better team meetings
Status updates can be an email. A meeting should do 3 things.
- Surface blockers
- Reset priority, because priority changes fast in this industry
- Catch stress in someone’s voice before it turns into burnout
If someone says “I’m going to be a week late” in writing, that hides a lot. If they say it live and you hear the frustration, you can step in and fix the real issue.
How the customer journey changed
Mark describes a shift from B2B vs B2C into B2E. Business to everyone.
People expect answers now. They expect fast, searchable information. They expect to get what they need without hunting. They trust companies almost like they trust people.
If your process creates friction, they move on. “Path of least resistance” always wins.
Practical tip
Make it easy for customers to find what they need. If they have to dig for a phone number, they will assume you do not want their business.
Why focus matters
Leaders try to do everything, say they are multitasking, and end up doing nothing well. Mark’s advice is to stay focused on what matters to the team and the customer, but leave time to learn, scan, and pull in new ideas that actually help. You cannot lead if you never make space to think.
About the guest
Mark Adams
Director - Global Channel, Advanced Energy
Mark Adams is a sales and marketing executive in power electronics, specializing in channel strategy and partner development.
He leads Advanced Energy’s Global Channel, previously managing Americas distribution and channel sales. Earlier, he was SVP at Orbital Infrastructure Group and interim Chief Business Officer at Virtual Power Systems, reshaping go-to-market and partnerships. At CUI Inc, he led a 125-person power supply unit and built global rep and distribution programs.
Mark serves on Portland State University’s EE/CE Industry Advisory Board and has publications in IEEE and Bodo’s Power Systems. He holds a Business Marketing degree from Central Washington University and is based in Beaverton, Oregon.
Who this episode is for
This episode is built for:
- Manufacturing leaders who are hiring and developing younger talent
- Channel and distribution leaders who manage partner relationships and need trust fast
- Engineering managers who want better team communication without micromanaging
- Executives in electronics who want to keep customers close in a B2E model
What you will be able to do after listening
After listening to Episode 127, you will be able to:
- Adjust your leadership style for each person on your team without losing control
- Use active listening to build loyalty and reduce turnover
- Give ownership in a way that builds confidence instead of chaos
- Run meetings that surface blockers and protect your team’s energy
- Communicate with customers in a way that matches how they actually buy now
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Sager Electronics is a leading North American distributor of Interconnect, Power, and Electromechanical products, and a trusted provider of custom solutions. With more than 135 years of innovation and service, Sager connects technology and people through its Distributing Confidence business model, combining operational excellence, engineering expertise, and a nationwide network of distribution and service centers.
Learn more about how Sager Electronics delivers quality components and solutions at sager.com
This episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast is sponsored by Sager Electronics.
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