In TM Studio at Manufacturing Leaders’ Summit, we sat down with author and digital wellbeing expert, Petra Velzeboer. She explored an urgent question facing modern day workforces – is technology actually helping us, or overwhelming us?
In this insightful conversation, Petra discussed her keynote on resilient leadership, vulnerability in manufacturing, and how constant digital distraction could hinder how leaders and teams function.
She talked about the rising impact of techno-stress, doom-scrolling, meeting overload, and AI anxiety. She said that these pressures affect focus, creativity, and decision-making on the factory floor and beyond.
Petra also challenged common assumptions about workplace mental health, arguing that high performers are often the ones struggling silently. She shared practical guidance for leaders on building mentally healthy cultures, improving check-ins, and having more meaningful conversations that go beyond “How was your weekend?”
The interview also dived into what good digital wellbeing looks like, why intentions matter, and how teams can work with technology, rather than be drained by it.
Finally, Petra reflected on why in-person events like the Manufacturing Leaders’ Summit matter more than ever for breaking silos, building connection, and developing real solutions together.
Manufacturing Leaders’ Summit 2025
Manufacturing Leaders’ Summit is the annual gathering of the industrial elite.
Leaders, senior executives and decision-makers representing all industries across the manufacturing sector converge with thought leaders and industrial futurists for two days of knowledge-sharing, debate and discussion that shapes the industry for the coming 12 months.
Now in its 17th year, the award-winning Summit is a catalyst for transformation, covering the topics most pertinent to manufacturing leaders alongside economic and market factors, operational, and organisational challenges.
This year’s Manufacturing Leaders’ Summit was once again an event with amplified focus on practical solutions and industry-leading insights, the highest calibre of speakers, more case studies and interactive sessions with polls, more networking opportunities and deeper dives into the technologies shaping the future of the sector.
We will be posting videos from a handful of keynote speakers and roundtable discussion hosts from this year’s event, so keep a look out for more insights over the next few days.
