Leading by Example with Kimberly Jaworski

In this episode of Operations Excellence, host Mark O’Donnell welcomes Kimberly Jaworski, Office Manager at Bodycote Syracuse Heat Treating, part of the AGI division of Bodycote.Kim shares insight into Bodycote’s work in heat treating and thermal processing, serving demanding industries such as automotive, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. She also talks about the many responsibilities she carries in her role, from HR and payroll to billing, vendor setup, reporting, safety, and supporting the daily needs of the facility.The conversation then shifts into leadership, where Kim shares her belief in leading by example, creating a supportive environment, and helping employees feel safe bringing forward problems or concerns. Mark and Kim also reflect on the Keys to Successful Leadership workshop, discussing emotional intelligence, empathy, communication, listening to understand, goal planning, and the importance of connecting with people where they are.This episode is a practical conversation about leadership in a real manufacturing environment, the value of strong communication, and how trust, empathy, and personal accountability help teams succeed.