# 293: Manufacturing Leadership That Works with Author and Geislinger CEO Jason Woodard

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2026-06-23
- Length: 36m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-23-293-manufacturing-leadership-that-works-with-author-and-geislinger-ceo-jason-woo
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Jason Woodard, CEO of Geislinger Corporation and author of 'Manufacturing Leadership That Works', discusses his 35-year career in manufacturing leadership. He explains that effective leadership requires leading oneself first through discipline and credibility, and emphasizes the importance of building trust with frontline workers by engaging directly on the floor. Woodard contrasts this with toxic leadership examples, such as plant managers who blame frontline staff for process failures, arguing that leaders must hold support staff accountable for providing adequate resources. He details how Geislinger produces critical vibration dampers for engines and wind turbines, highlighting the need for high-performance components in critical infrastructure.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-23-293-manufacturing-leadership-that-works-with-author-and-geislinger-ceo-jason-woo#t=0) Introduction: Jason Woodard and Geislinger Corporation
- [4:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-23-293-manufacturing-leadership-that-works-with-author-and-geislinger-ceo-jason-woo#t=245) Motivation for Writing 'Manufacturing Leadership That Works'
- [9:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-23-293-manufacturing-leadership-that-works-with-author-and-geislinger-ceo-jason-woo#t=586) Toxic Leadership: Blaming Frontline Workers for Process Failures
- [13:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-23-293-manufacturing-leadership-that-works-with-author-and-geislinger-ceo-jason-woo#t=787) Hands-On Leadership at Geislinger: From Plant Manager to CEO
- [16:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-23-293-manufacturing-leadership-that-works-with-author-and-geislinger-ceo-jason-woo#t=995) Geislinger's Products: Vibration Dampers for Critical Infrastructure
- [19:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-23-293-manufacturing-leadership-that-works-with-author-and-geislinger-ceo-jason-woo#t=1198) Leading Yourself: Discipline, Credibility, and Work Ethic
- [26:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-23-293-manufacturing-leadership-that-works-with-author-and-geislinger-ceo-jason-woo#t=1567) Building Trust with Frontline Workers and Floor Walks
- [29:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-06-23-293-manufacturing-leadership-that-works-with-author-and-geislinger-ceo-jason-woo#t=1776) Handling Frontline Feedback and Closing the Loop

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Geislinger Corporation (company)
- Handmap Brewing (other)
- Brembo (company)
- Paragon Metal (company)
- Magnet International (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Power of a Visible Manufacturing Leader w/ Jim Mayer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-03-25-the-power-of-a-visible-manufacturing-leader-w-jim-mayer) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Make It Right: Growth and Stability in Manufacturing Companies w/ Kevin Snook](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-10-13-make-it-right-growth-and-stability-in-manufacturing-companies-w-kevin-snook) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Leading by Listening w/ Joe Molesky](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-03-30-leading-by-listening-w-joe-molesky) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [The Brightest Generation: New Leadership in Manufacturing w/ Paul Brauss](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-03-16-the-brightest-generation-new-leadership-in-manufacturing-w-paul-brauss) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Three Pillars of Impact for Manufacturing Leaders w/ Tom Brown](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2023-12-12-three-pillars-of-impact-for-manufacturing-leaders-w-tom-brown) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

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