# Servant Leadership in the Manufacturing Sector w/ Dan Erschen

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2020-11-10
- Length: 38m
- Episode: 22
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-11-10-servant-leadership-in-the-manufacturing-sector-w-dan-erschen
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-5b101389-47ed-4a01-8512-1b6bfd74c19c

## Summary

Dan Erschen, owner of Wisconsin Metal Parts, a contract manufacturer of metal parts and assemblies, explains how his personal battle with Multiple Sclerosis shaped his adoption of servant leadership. He details the operational benefits of this model, including attracting and retaining highly skilled talent by hiring for character and training for skill, and shifting power dynamics to support employees. Erschen also outlines practical steps for implementing this culture, such as using James C. Hunter’s 'The Servant' seminar, and discusses the challenges of converting 'power leaders' to this approach.

## Chapters

- [2:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-11-10-servant-leadership-in-the-manufacturing-sector-w-dan-erschen#t=145) Introduction: Dan Erschen and Wisconsin Metal Parts
- [3:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-11-10-servant-leadership-in-the-manufacturing-sector-w-dan-erschen#t=184) Dan Erschen’s Personal Battle with Multiple Sclerosis
- [10:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-11-10-servant-leadership-in-the-manufacturing-sector-w-dan-erschen#t=621) Benefits of Servant Leadership in Manufacturing
- [13:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-11-10-servant-leadership-in-the-manufacturing-sector-w-dan-erschen#t=802) Defining Servant Leadership and the Upside-Down Pyramid
- [15:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-11-10-servant-leadership-in-the-manufacturing-sector-w-dan-erschen#t=952) Implementing Servant Leadership in Hiring and Performance Reviews
- [20:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-11-10-servant-leadership-in-the-manufacturing-sector-w-dan-erschen#t=1250) Daily Operations and Continuous Improvement
- [23:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-11-10-servant-leadership-in-the-manufacturing-sector-w-dan-erschen#t=1404) Challenges: Converting Power Leaders and Teaching Technical Staff
- [30:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-11-10-servant-leadership-in-the-manufacturing-sector-w-dan-erschen#t=1802) Financial Benefits and Customer Loyalty
- [32:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2020-11-10-servant-leadership-in-the-manufacturing-sector-w-dan-erschen#t=1924) How to Start Shifting Culture: James C. Hunter's Resources

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Factory operations & automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/factory-operations)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Wisconsin Metal Parts (company)
- Dye Concepts Inc. (company)
- Dimeakers Manufacturing Inc. (company)
- Lean Manufacturing Products Inc. (company)
- Guerrilla 76 (company)
- James C. Hunter (other)
- The Servant (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Hire Diverse Talent or Risk Going Out of Business Featuring Equity Machine Works Founder Justin Sherman](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-12-07-hire-diverse-talent-or-risk-going-out-of-business-featuring-equity-machine-works) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [160: Buying a Manufacturing Company and Reimagining Upskilling with Bill Berrien, CEO of Pindel Global Precision](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-11-07-160-buying-a-manufacturing-company-and-reimagining-upskilling-with-bill-berrien) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [From MBA To COO: Navigating EMS, Mentorship, And A New Leadership Model with Koh Young Europe COO Solin Ahmed](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-11-26-from-mba-to-coo-navigating-ems-mentorship-and-a-new-leadership-model-with-koh-yo) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [How to Lead with Grit and Grace Featuring Ashleigh Walters](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-03-01-how-to-lead-with-grit-and-grace-featuring-ashleigh-walters) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [120: People & Mindset at a Hardware Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2022-03-30-120-people-mindset-at-a-hardware-startup) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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