The Knoxville Executive Peer Group kicked off its third cohort today, gathering manufacturing leaders for a powerful first meeting focused on leadership, teamwork, and growth.

The day began with a look at company health, where participants reflected on pain points within their organizations. From there, the conversation shifted to leadership lessons with guest speaker Chris Brown, former Tennessee Vols football player. Chris drew on his experience on the field to highlight the importance of communication, teamwork, and investing in people. He reminded the group that while every team member should be treated fairly, leaders must also recognize that different roles come with different needs. True leadership means meeting people where they are in order to support their growth.

The session closed with an interactive LEGO® Serious Play® workshop led by Paul Boyles. Using LEGO bricks as metaphors, participants built models to represent challenges and solutions, sparking creativity and fresh perspectives. What began as simple bricks quickly became stories about leadership, teamwork, and overcoming obstacles. The activity was a reminder that sometimes the best solutions come when we think differently and approach challenges from new angles.

This first session set a strong foundation for the cohort ahead. Collaboration, open dialogue, and a commitment to investing in people will guide the group through future meetings.

TMEP is proud to support Tennessee’s manufacturing leaders by creating spaces where innovation, leadership, and peer learning come together.