Episode 128
How to Lead Every Generation with Experience and Trust
Why Experience and Trust Matter More Than Titles
Episode summary
In Episode 128 of the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast, host Sannah Vinding talks with Matt Cordell, General Manager at CviLux North America, about how leaders use experience, adaptability, and trust to connect across generations in manufacturing.
Matt has built his career in the electronics industry by leading through real-world learning — not theory. He believes leadership is earned through experience, listening, and the willingness to grow alongside your team.
This conversation is for leaders who want to strengthen trust, encourage growth, and lead people of every generation with confidence.
You will learn
- How to use your experience to guide, not control, your team
- Why trust is the foundation of multi-generational leadership
- How to encourage younger talent to take ownership and grow
- Why financial awareness supports better decisions without losing focus on people
- How to balance tactical execution with long-term leadership development
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Key takeaways
Experience Builds Credibility
Leaders earn trust through consistent actions and shared experience. People listen when they know you have been where they are, when you understand the work and the pressure.
“In electronics, you learn leadership as you go. Experience teaches you what works and what does not.”
Trust Drives Performance
Teams perform better when they know you trust them to deliver. Micromanagement kills initiative. Trust turns compliance into commitment.
“Trust is one of the most powerful tools a leader has. When people know you trust them, they operate differently, with confidence.”
Leaders Grow by Teaching Others
Matt believes good leaders push their people to keep learning, even if that means they eventually move on. Growth and retention come from development, not control.
“I always try to promote people to move on and learn more for themselves and do better for themselves.”
Why this matters
In manufacturing, generational differences can create tension, but also innovation. Leaders who adapt and build trust across experience levels keep teams motivated, skilled, and loyal.
“I always try to promote people to move on and learn more for themselves and do better for themselves.”
Episode highlights
How experience shapes real leadership
Matt explains that leadership is not learned from a book. It is learned by doing the work, solving problems, and understanding how decisions affect people and performance. Experience gives leaders the perspective to make better choices and guide their teams with confidence.
How to build trust that drives performance
Trust changes how teams work together. When people know they are trusted, they take ownership and deliver stronger results. Micromanagement slows progress. Building trust gives your team space to think, act, and improve.
How to lead across generations
Every generation works differently. Some want structure and clarity, others value independence and flexibility. Matt shares how adjusting your leadership style to match communication preferences and work habits helps teams stay aligned and motivated.
Why developing people builds stronger teams
Good leaders grow other leaders. Matt believes in promoting learning, cross-training, and career development. When people see that their leader cares about their growth, they stay engaged and perform better.
How to balance today’s goals with long-term vision
Leadership in manufacturing means balancing daily execution with future growth. Matt breaks it down into two parts: meeting current goals while keeping the bigger strategy in view. Both matter if you want your business to stay strong.
Practical tip
Encourage your team to share what they know. Cross-training builds trust, reduces bottlenecks, and helps everyone understand how their work connects to the rest of the operation.
About the guest
Matt Cordell
General Manager at CviLux North America
Matt Cordell leads CviLux USA, the North American business of CviLux Corporation, a Taiwan-based manufacturer of connectors and cable assemblies. With over 25 years in the electronics industry, he has built a career growing revenue, scaling operations, and supporting complex OEM and EMS customers with customized interconnect solutions.
Since joining CviLux in 2017, Matt has expanded the company’s U.S. and Canadian presence, overseeing sales strategy, key accounts, channel partnerships, and production alignment across CviLux’s global manufacturing network.
Previously, he held senior roles at APLUS Products (OSI Electronics) and Dee Electronics, leading commercial growth, supplier programs, and value-added services for industrial and high-reliability markets.
Based in the Seattle area, Matt is known for his pragmatic leadership, deep technical understanding, and commitment to building lasting customer relationships.
Who this episode is for
This episode is built for:
- Manufacturing and operations leaders managing multi-generational teams
- Engineering managers developing communication and trust within teams
- Executives building leadership pipelines and mentoring new talent
- Leaders who want to strengthen culture through experience and credibility
What you will be able to do after listening
After listening to Episode 128, you will be able to:
- Use your experience to guide teams across generations
- Build trust that improves retention and collaboration
- Lead younger talent through coaching, not control
- Create space for learning and growth inside your team
- Balance daily targets with long-term leadership development
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