Creating the next generation of manufacturing leaders

To explore what it truly means to be a leader in the 21st century and how we can create the next generation of digitally empowered manufacturing leaders, we spoke to Nick Hussey, CEO of The Manufacturer, and Jason Cole of Jonathan Lee Recruitment.

Being a leader isn’t an easy task, you need to have a vision and be able to inspire and motivate others. Traditionally, companies have appointed the best workers in their fields for leadership positions. In this episode, we debate whether this is still the right choice. 

We also touch on the concept of servant leaders – those who focus on the needs of their employees before their own, a triple bottom line that considers social, environmental, and impact on others. With Digital Transformation accelerating changes in the manufacturing industry, we explore how the figure of a leader has changed over time and why “servant leaders” are the leaders of the future.

Furthermore, we argue why a great leader, instead of knowing everything, should have a broad perspective and be able to trust and rely on their teams in order to make bolder decisions, making the most of the data now available thanks to Digital Transformation. 

Leadership can be a lonely place to be, but the best leaders are those who empower people to effectively take ownership of the role that they perform. We conclude the episode with a strong idea of how leaders in the design and manufacturing industry can empower their employees and deliver work to their optimum level.