Most shops don’t have a systems problem.

They don’t have a workload problem.

They have a leadership problem.

In this episode of the Threaded Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Mike Payne to break down what it actually takes to lead and scale a manufacturing business.

Mike came into manufacturing from private equity and M&A, then stepped into ownership himself when he acquired Hill Manufacturing. That outside perspective shows up in how he thinks about leadership, systems, and growth.

We get into:

The mistake most owners make when trying to “work on the business”
Why delegating too early can break your company
The identity shifts required to go from operator to owner
What actually keeps shops stuck under $1M, $3M, and beyond
How poor hiring and promotions destroy culture
Why the owner is almost always the bottleneck
Practical ways to fix cash flow (including the 13-week model)
How to think about hiring when you “can’t afford it”
Real shop floor scenarios around leadership, accountability, and growth

This isn’t theory.

This is what actually happens inside real shops.

If you’re an owner, a leader, or someone trying to step up, this conversation will hit home.

👉 If this resonates, this is exactly the kind of work we focus on inside the Threaded Leadership Accelerator.

We start April 28. Limited seats available.

Leadership Training Programs for Manufacturing | Threaded Leadership

Episode 004: The Real Constraint in Your Shop Isn’t What You Think | Mike Payne