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This book is essential reading for anyone in leadership within the manufacturing sector, from executives to operational managers. At a time when the manufacturing sector is navigating global competition and technological upheaval, this book serves as a hopeful roadmap.
List of contents
Part I: Foundations of Human Progress - The Story of Work and Well-Being Chapter 1: The Story of Work
Chapter 2: The Story of Well-Being at Work
Part II: Meaningful Work Chapter 3: Meaningful Work: Meaningful Life
Chapter 4: Personal Drivers of Purpose and Impact
Chapter 5: The Why and the How of an Organizational Imperative
Chapter 6: Lean and Mean-ingful
Chapter 7: Preserving Purpose in the Digital Shift
Part III: Optimism Chapter 8: Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Chapter 9: A Catalyst for Operational Excellence
Chapter 10: Fueling Grit, Goals, and Growth
Part IV: Positive Workplace Relationships Chapter 11: High-Quality Connections: How Small Moments Drive Big Results
Chapter 12: Compassion: Balancing Accountability with Authentic Care
Chapter 13: Psychological Safety: Breaking the Cycle of Fear and Dysfunction
Chapter 14: Workplace Dynamics: The Influence of Leaders and Peers
Part V: Transformational Leadership Chapter 15: What's in a Norm?
Chapter 16: Norms Fostering Manufacturing Excellence
Chapter 17: The Who and How of Successful Norm-Shifting
Chapter 18: Now and Forever MORE
Appendices Appendix A: Positive Interventions for Enhancing Meaningful Work
Appendix B: Positive Interventions Cultivating Optimism
Appendix C: Positive Interventions for Developing and Fostering Positive Workplace Relationships
References
About the author
Kathryn Miller is a distinguished senior business executive whose extensive leadership in driving operational excellence across aerospace, automotive, and diversified industrial industries is well recognized. She has directed operations exceeding $3B in scope, holding P&L responsibility and corporate stewardship over diverse areas such as lean enterprise, quality assurance, strategy deployment, and industrial design. Kathryn's leadership ethos is deeply rooted in cultivating organizational cultures defined by inclusivity, trust, accountability, and relentless improvement.
Her role as the Global Vice President of Vertiv Operating System saw her spearhead the development and implementation of its operating system, enhancing organizational efficiencies worldwide. Previously, as Global Director of Manufacturing, Assembly, and Test at Rolls-Royce Defense, Kathryn delivered aerospace engines and naval components to global military markets, overseeing a transformative $400m upgrade of U.S. facilities that integrated cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. Her tenure at Parker Hannifin as General Manager of the Engineered Seals Division and Vice President - Lean Enterprise & Quality witnessed substantial business growth and operational improvements, reinforcing her reputation as a leader capable of ushering in substantial transformations.
A significant highlight in her career was when her leadership and operational strategies were recognized by receiving the prestigious Shingo Prize for operational excellence, affirming her effectiveness in implementing lean transformations. This accolade is a testament to her skill in enhancing manufacturing processes and leadership practices that yield high-performance results.
Kathryn's contributions to advancing women in the manufacturing sector were honored in 2021 when she was inducted into the Women in Manufacturing Hall of Fame. This recognition underscores her commitment to promoting inclusivity and supporting the advancement of women in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Kathryn is also a prolific speaker and author, contributing to prominent industry publications and sharing her insights at leading conferences including Industry Week, Women in Manufacturing, and the International Positive Psychology Association. Her co-authored book, "Steel Toes and Stilettos: A True Story of Women Manufacturing Leaders and Lean Transformation Success," (Routledge, 2022) further cements her authority in merging operational prowess with positive organizational strategies.
Kathryn Miller's impressive contributions to the field of positive psychology and leadership continue to gain widespread recognition. Her paper, "How Positive Psychology Helps Leaders Create Inclusive, Better-Performing Organizations," published in Leader to Leader, has been acknowledged as one of the most downloaded articles during its first 12 months of publication by Wiley. This accolade highlights her impactful work in promoting inclusive and high-performing organizational cultures through the application of positive psychology, further establishing her as a leading voice in both the academic and professional communities. This significant milestone amplifies her influence in shaping contemporary leadership practices.
Holding a Bachelor of Science in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Kettering University, an MBA from Ball State University, and a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, she continues to influence the manufacturing sector through her roles on the boards of Amsted Industries and Conexus, and strategic advisory relationships with firms like Elanco, Panasonic, Subaru, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. This blend of practical leadership, scholarly insight, and commitment to positive industrial practices makes Kathryn Miller's upcoming publications and insights highly relevant for those aiming to reshape the future of manufacturing.
