Driving Manufacturing Excellence with Clarity, Teamwork, Discipline, and Energy

Bonding by Doc McIntyre

I was reminded on my last flight, sitting next to a 5-year-old I’d never met…

The way you bond with a little kid is by:

• Showing some interest in what they're doing
• Complimenting their work
• Helping them do something they can't quite do by themselves

The way you bond with an adult?

Same

Our grown-up egos and anxieties complicate things for us.

Just do the basics.

Driving Manufacturing Excellence with Clarity, Teamwork, Discipline, and Energy

This past week, Michael McIntyre and I had the incredible honor of speaking at Fabtech, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to share our insights on what makes a team truly effective. At the heart of everything we do at The Effective Syndicate lies four core principles: Clarity, Teamwork, Discipline, and Energy. These aren’t just words—they are the foundation of success. But let’s talk about what that actually looks like in the real world.

How many times have you heard people on your team say, “I thought someone else was taking care of that,” or “I didn’t know what the priority was”? That’s a lack of clarity. Or, maybe you’ve experienced when the team isn’t aligned, and people start pointing fingers rather than solving problems—that’s a breakdown in teamwork. Discipline? Well, how many of us have set goals only to let them slide because of the day-to-day grind? And finally, energy—this is the secret sauce. If you and your team aren’t energized, motivated, and ready to bring your A-game every day, the rest doesn’t matter.

At Fabtech, Michael and I emphasized that these roadblocks are common. We all face them. The key is recognizing where your gaps are and applying our GSD System—Get Sh!t Done—because at the end of the day, what matters is: does your team know the process, understand the purpose, and can they execute?

It was a fantastic event, and we want to give a huge thank-you to everyone who stopped by our booth to learn more about what we do and how we can support you in the manufacturing world. Our team showed up in full force, and the energy at our booth was just electric. We’re all about partnership, and seeing the enthusiasm from the attendees reminded us of why we do what we do—to help you, our partners, succeed.

One thing I really want to stress is the importance of connecting with your team. I know it seems like common sense to care about the people who work for you. As leaders, we often think we’re doing a great job showing our teams they’re valued. But here’s the kicker—nobody ever gets tired of hearing they’re doing a great job. Trust me on this. If there’s one message Michael and I hammered home at Fabtech, it’s that investing in your people, taking the time to get to know them, and showing you care isn’t just a “nice to have” thing—it’s essential for long-term success.

Thanks again to everyone who came by Fabtech, and we can’t wait to see how we can continue helping all our partners in manufacturing thrive.