Episode 103
Why is feedback so important in leadership?
Leadership Feedback: Best Practices from Industry Experts
Join us on the Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast as we delve deep into the critical aspects of leadership feedback with guests Walter Tobin, CEO of ERA; Don Akery, CEO of Waldom Electronics; and Shane Zutz, VP of Human Resources at DigiKey. Each of our guests brings a unique perspective on fostering an environment where open communication thrives.
In this episode, you will discover:
- Recognizing Indirect Feedback: Learn how to sense feedback even when it’s not explicitly stated, and why this skill is essential for effective leadership.
- Fostering Open Communication: Gain insights into creating spaces where team members feel comfortable sharing honest feedback.
- Strategies for Honest Feedback: Explore methods for encouraging transparency and providing direct but respectful feedback.
- Leading by Example: Understand the importance of setting the tone through your actions and how it can enhance team morale and trust.
- Embracing Alternative Perspectives: Discover how to remain open to different approaches and ideas, fostering innovation and growth within your team.
- Addressing Silent Feedback: Learn practical steps to engage with and resolve unspoken concerns that may be affecting team performance.
- Enhancing Team Confidence: Understand how empowering your team can lead to greater independence and stronger leadership within your organization.
Walter’s, Don’s, and Shane’s collective experiences and insights will equip you with valuable takeaways to refine your leadership style and improve team dynamics.
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“Leaders lead, and leaders teach. You can sense it. You can’t fake leadership.”
Key takeaways
Sensing Indirect Feedback:
Leaders should notice subtle changes in employee behavior or morale, which can reveal underlying issues or increased confidence. This awareness allows them to address problems proactively and enhance team performance by understanding unspoken concerns.
Leading with Transparency:
Emphasizing transparency and vulnerability helps leaders foster honest communication. This approach builds trust, improves morale, and creates an open environment, enhancing organizational effectiveness.
Adapting Communication for Silent Feedback:
Addressing silent feedback requires adapting communication styles with open-ended questions and shared vulnerabilities. This strategy uncovers unspoken issues, leading to better problem-solving and a more engaged team.
“Being a good leader means speaking the truth and staying open to feedback about what’s working and what’s not. It’s challenging not to take things personally, but honesty is essential.”
“If it continues for too long, as a leader, you should address it directly by saying, “I want to know how I can help because in our one-on-ones, we might not be connecting or getting to the core issues.”
“I try not to ask anything of anybody that I’m not willing to do myself. Lead by example.”
Show Notes:
In Episode 103 of the “Leadership in Manufacturing Podcast,” host Sannah Vinding is joined by Walter Tobin, CEO of ERA; Don Akery, CEO of Waldom Electronics; and Shane Zutz, Vice President of Human Resources at DigiKey, to delve into the crucial topic of leadership feedback within the electronics component industry.
Key highlights from their engaging discussion include how each leader senses and acts on feedback, especially when it’s not explicitly stated. Walter emphasizes the importance of being attuned to indirect feedback and creating an environment where team members feel confident to lead themselves without constant oversight. He underscores the significance of listening and embracing the ideas of others.
Sannah and Walter explore the importance of allowing multiple approaches to problem-solving, fostering a culture where team members can grow by being heard and valued. Walter further stresses that authentic leadership cannot be faked; it requires genuine engagement and a willingness to listen and adapt.
Don shares his personal leadership values, highlighting the necessity of leading by example and providing direct, respectful feedback. He discusses the balance of transparency and ethical decision-making, alongside the challenges of giving honest feedback and accepting it without taking it personally. Don’s approach emphasizes the importance of clear and direct communication to maintain a healthy, ethical, and transparent organizational culture.
Shane discusses the more challenging aspect of silent feedback, offering strategies to uncover underlying issues. He suggests creating a comfortable environment for open communication, and extending transparency and vulnerability to build trust. Shane advocates for addressing prolonged silence directly while owning any leadership shortcomings that might be contributing to the lack of communication.
Throughout the episode, the guests provide valuable insights and personal stories, presenting practical strategies for encouraging honest feedback, overcoming barriers to communication, and leading by example. This episode offers an enriching discourse on how effective feedback mechanisms can enhance leadership and team dynamics in the manufacturing industry.
Listeners are invited to deepen their understanding of leadership feedback and its impact on organizational growth and success. Join Sannah and her expert guests as they explore these essential themes, providing tools and strategies for becoming better leaders in the electronics industry.
Don’t miss out on these invaluable insights – follow us on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram to unlock your leadership potential in the electronics component industry.
Guests
Don Akery
Chief Executive Officer at Waldom Electronics
Don Akery is the Chief Executive Officer at Waldom Electronics, based in Rockford, Illinois. With over two decades of experience in the electronics and distribution industry, Don has proven himself as a visionary leader dedicated to driving organizational growth and operational excellence. He specializes in sales growth, business development, and talent recruitment, with a successful track record in both established and emerging markets.
Prior to his tenure at Waldom Electronics, Don held multiple leadership roles at TTI, Inc., where he significantly grew revenue and market share, and led digital transformation initiatives. He also served in various capacities at Arrow Electronics, further honing his expertise in marketing and asset management.
Don holds a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Behavioral Sciences from National Louis University and has completed coursework in Business Administration from Georgia Southern University. He is actively involved in industry organizations such as Women In Electronics and the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors.
Outside of his professional life, Don contributes to advisory boards like Breadboard and Sivad Business Solutions, leveraging his extensive experience to help drive innovation and efficiency in the electronics manufacturing industry.
Shane Zutz
Vice President of Human Resources at DigiKey
Shane Zutz is the Vice President of Human Resources at DigiKey Electronics, where he is instrumental in driving organizational performance and leading a global team through significant digital transformation. With over 5 years at DigiKey, Shane has overseen substantial growth and expansion, implementing key initiatives that support over 5,000 employees worldwide.
His leadership is informed by a rich background in education, having served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal at Lincoln High School in Thief River Falls, where he managed a $26 million building project and introduced state-recognized programs. Shane holds an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, and degrees from Bemidji State University and Minnesota State University – Mankato.
Walter Tobin
President - Manufacturer's Rep, CPMR
Walter Tobin is the CEO and Executive Vice President of the Electronics Representatives Association (ERA), a role he has held since August 2015. He leads the organization with a focus on empowering electronics representatives globally. Walter’s extensive career spans over several decades, including significant roles such as Corporate Vice President at Future Electronics and All American Semiconductor, and Executive VP at Bell Microproducts. His leadership in managing global accounts and driving sales initiatives has been exemplary.
Walter is a graduate of Boston College, where he earned both his BSBA and MBA in Marketing from the Carroll School of Management. With a career marked by strategic leadership and industry insights, Walter is also dedicated to community service, serving on the Board of Directors for the Charles River Center, a non-profit organization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
He is recognized for his sales management skills, time management, and dedication to ethical leadership. Walter’s contributions to the electronics industry are widely acknowledged, making him a respected figure in his field.
“In leadership, silent feedback can be the most challenging to identify and address. It requires us to listen more deeply, ask the right questions, and foster an environment where open communication is not only encouraged but expected.”
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