The Human Side of Manufacturing Excellence- Session 2: Grounded Optimism Under Pressure

Presented by MORE 4 Leaders

ABOUT THE WEBINAR SERIES

Manufacturing leaders are being asked to deliver results in an environment of workforce shortages, change fatigue, technology disruption, cost pressure, and constant operational complexity. The technical systems matter, but the human system is often what determines whether improvement efforts actually stick.

The Human Side of Manufacturing Excellence is a three-part webcast series designed specifically for manufacturing leaders who want practical ways to strengthen culture, engagement, trust, resilience, and performance.

The series is grounded in Kathy Miller’s MORE Is Better framework:

Meaning + Optimism + Relationships = Excellence

The message is simple: leaders do not chase excellence by demanding more from people. They create the conditions where people can bring more of themselves to the work.

Each one-hour session combines manufacturing stories, research-based leadership practices, practical tools, and immediate application.

ABOUT THE SESSION 2 WEBINAR

How leaders keep people moving through setbacks, change, and uncertainty

Optimism in manufacturing is not cheerleading. It is the discipline of naming reality clearly and still asking, “What is the next step?” This session focuses on resilience, explanatory style, thinking traps, and practical tools for staying effective when pressure is high.

Participants will learn how to:

• Recognize common thinking traps under pressure

• Avoid “always,” “never,” and worst-case language that shuts teams down

• Use grounded optimism to create forward motion

• Respond to setbacks without blame, panic, or helplessness

• Practice real-time resilience using evidence, planning, reframing, and control

Practical takeaway: A Grounded Optimism Cheat Sheet for handling setbacks, change, and difficult conversations.

DETAILS

Date: 11/5/2026

Time: 10-11 a.m. ET

COST

IMA members: Free

Non-members: $20