Philip Stoten files a report about this year’s IPC APEX EXPO 2025 in Anaheim: ‘I had the privilege of watching two enlightening interviews with executives from the McGuckin Group, a consultancy making waves in the Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) industry with their fresh approach to leadership, development,’ he explains.
From Strategy to Self-Awareness with Audrey McGuckin
In this first interview, CEO Audrey McGuckin sits down with Eric Miscoll to discuss her presentation to the EMS Leadership Council. Audrey reveals how the McGuckin Group approaches leadership development by first understanding business strategy, then building leadership capabilities to match.
“We always like to start with strategy—what are you trying to do and how are you trying to get there? And then, on the basis of that, what is it going to take from a leadership perspective?” explains McGuckin.
Perhaps most striking is her revelation that while 95% of people believe they’re self-aware, studies show only 15% truly are. This gap forms the foundation of their data-driven approach to leadership development in an industry already comfortable with metrics and analysis.
Culture Eats Strategy with Catherine Sherman
In this second interview, CFO Catherine Sherman chats with Philip Stoten about the EMS Leadership Summit and the challenges facing the industry.
“Although EMS is an industry that’s not for the faint of heart, data-driven, tough, very rapid—people want to invest in their talent and they see the value of human-centered leadership,” notes Sherman.
She emphasizes how culture and strategy must align: “Culture eats up strategy… You can have the Porsche, the Ferrari, in the garage. You won’t go to the grocery store with it. You just cannot get A players going if they don’t know the in-between.”
Transforming Leadership in a Technical Industry
What stands out from both interviews is the McGuckin Group’s ability to bring human-centered leadership principles to an industry known for its technical focus. By creating psychological safety, building self-awareness, balancing data with intuition, and ensuring cultural alignment, they’re helping EMS companies address persistent challenges in talent retention and strategy execution.
As the industry faces continuing pressure to deliver more with less, faster and at lower costs, this human-centered approach may be exactly what’s needed to navigate an increasingly complex future.
Watch both interviews to gain valuable insights that apply not just to the EMS industry, but to any organization trying to balance technical excellence with human leadership.
