What if the biggest driver of leadership performance isn’t strategy, experience, or intelligence but rather self-awareness?

In this episode of The Value Blueprint, hosts Shayla McLean and James from Value Driver are joined by executive leadership coach Michèle Meier to explore how self-awareness becomes a catalyst for better leadership, stronger teams, and long-term organizational success.

Drawing on over 25 years of leadership experience and her work as an executive coach, Michèle breaks down what self-awareness actually looks like in action, not as a “soft skill,” but as a measurable driver of performance, engagement, and succession readiness.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Why self-awareness is one of the most critical leadership capabilities

• Common leadership blind spots driven by stress, control, approval, and security

• The difference between reactive leadership and intentional leadership

• How leader behaviour directly impacts team performance and employee engagement

• Why unaddressed blind spots quietly undermine growth and succession planning

• Practical ways leaders can build self-awareness through reflection, feedback, and coaching

If you’re a business owner, executive, or people leader navigating growth, succession planning, or organizational change, this episode offers powerful insights into how leadership behaviour shapes business outcomes.

Key takeaway:
Leadership doesn’t start with strategy, it starts with awareness.

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Click here to connect with Michèle Meier via LinkedIn or her website

In this episode of The Value Blueprint, hosts James Grieve and Shayla McLean sit down with David Munro from the Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) to unpack the latest Workforce Pulse Report and explore how manufacturers are adapting to labour shortages, global trade pressures, and shifting workforce expectations.

Discover how leading companies are using creative HR marketing, community engagement, and employee development to turn industry challenges into opportunities. From highlighting local impact and flexible career paths to investing in training and organizational culture, this conversation reveals what’s really working in today’s manufacturing landscape.

You’ll learn:

• Why companies doing good in their communities are also doing better in business.

• How creative marketing is reshaping recruitment and retention strategies.

• The growing importance of flexible work models and career development pathways.

• How employee training and organizational culture drive long-term competitiveness.

• What the latest data says about workforce stability and skilled trade shortages in Canada’s manufacturing sector.

Whether you’re a manufacturer, HR leader, or business strategist, this episode offers actionable insight on how to future-proof your workforce and strengthen your competitive edge.

Listen now to learn how your organization can transform industry pressure into performance advantage.

Keywords: manufacturing strategy, HR marketing, community engagement, workforce development, employee training, flexible work, organizational culture, skilled trades, career paths, Canada manufacturing industry, EMC, Value Driver, business growth.

In this episode of the Value Blueprint podcast, hosts James Grieve and Shayla McLean engage with Trish Miltimore, founder of Passion Igniter, to explore the critical themes of leadership, burnout, and resilience. Trish shares her insights on the importance of connection, appreciation, and energy in leadership, introducing her CARE framework designed to help leaders foster a supportive and engaging workplace culture. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to prioritize their well-being and the well-being of their teams to prevent burnout and create a thriving work environment.