Episode 119
How Leading Without a Title and Listening First Are Shaping the Future of Manufacturing
Why Influence, Empathy, and Active Listening Matter More Than Job Titles
Join host Sannah Vinding as she sits down with Ben Hamilton, Marketing Manager at NorComp, a leading provider of rugged, high-reliability interconnect solutions. Together, they explore how leadership grounded in active listening and collaboration can unlock growth — even across complex, cross-functional and cross-company environments.
In this episode, you’ll hear practical insights on:
- Leading Without a Title Discover why real leadership is built on ownership, problem-solving, and trust — not job titles.
- Building a Culture of Listening Learn how developing active listening and emotional intelligence transforms communication and team performance.
- Collaboration Across Teams and Companies Explore how NorComp and its sister companies turned “coopetition” into cooperation — and how transparent communication made it work.
- The Power of Distributed Leadership Hear how shifting from siloed roles to shared responsibility creates stronger, more resilient teams.
- Learning Through Experience Find out how being a conduit for information, engaging in support chats, and joining customer calls sharpen leadership skills and market understanding.
Whether you’re new to manufacturing leadership or looking to grow your impact, this episode offers clear takeaways on leading with empathy, purpose, and real-world collaboration.
Don’t miss it — subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts!
“Leadership isn’t a reward for doing your last job well — it’s a skill you cultivate over time.”
Key takeaways
Leadership Is a Skill, Not a Title
True leadership is not defined by rank or job title. It comes from how you engage with others, take ownership, and solve problems. When leadership is treated as a skill to develop, professionals at every level can have a meaningful impact.
Listening First Builds Stronger Teams
Effective communication starts with understanding. Leaders who practice active listening and perspective switching create more inclusive environments, strengthen collaboration, and help their teams feel heard and supported.
Collaboration Fuels Innovation Across Companies
Cross-functional and cross-company collaboration requires more than alignment. It depends on transparency, trust, and shared responsibility. When teams shift from isolated ownership to open cooperation, they uncover new opportunities and deliver greater value to customers.
“If people come to you with problems, even without the title, that’s a sign you’re leading.”
“I believe everyone is a leader — no matter their title — because leadership is about how you show up and work with others.”
Show Notes
In this episode of the Leadership in Manufacturing podcast, host Sannah Vinding sits down with Ben Hamilton, Marketing Manager at NorComp, to talk about leading without a title, the impact of emotional intelligence, and how real collaboration is built across teams and companies in the manufacturing sector.
Ben shares how his leadership approach evolved over five years in the electronics industry, starting as a sole marketing lead and growing into a key collaborator across NorComp and its sister companies. Drawing from hands-on experience, internal leadership training, and customer engagement, Ben offers a grounded view of leadership as a skill that’s practiced daily, not a title that’s earned.
One of the central themes of this conversation is the power of listening first. From building trust within teams to driving change through cross-functional alignment, Ben explains why empathy, transparency, and clear communication are essential to success, especially in fast-moving, high-reliability industries.
Sannah and Ben also discuss what it means to lead by example, how to strengthen distributed leadership, and why creating space for others is just as important as speaking up.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
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How to lead and influence without having a formal title
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Why emotional intelligence and active listening are key to collaboration
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How cross-functional and inter-company trust drive growth
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What it takes to shift from individual ownership to shared leadership
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How being a conduit for others can accelerate your own leadership development
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This episode is full of practical insights for professionals who want to lead with intention, build stronger teams, and make an impact, no matter their title.
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Guest
Ben Hamilton
Marketing Manager, NorComp
Ben Hamilton is the Marketing Manager at NorComp, where he leads digital strategy, brand development, and B2B marketing initiatives for ruggedized interconnect solutions across industrial, medical, military, and robotics sectors. With over a decade of experience, Ben has successfully led major rebranding efforts, developed web-based sales portals for top-tier distributors, and executed data-driven digital campaigns that deliver measurable business impact.
He holds an MBA in Marketing from Regent University and graduated Summa Cum Laude in Digital Marketing and Advertising from Liberty University. Known for his cross-functional leadership and strategic mindset, Ben is passionate about aligning marketing with operational goals, driving innovation through collaboration, and staying ahead of digital trends to support sustainable growth.
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