Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership

This week’s guest is Ashley Herd. Ron and Ashley discussed Ashley’s Pause, Consider, Act Framework, the concept of a career quilt, micromanagement, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Ashley’s background (3:36) Her favorite quote (5:08) About the Pause Consider Act framework (9:53) Why “Pause” is the most difficult (13:04) The PDCA framework (15:04) What a “career quilt” is (15:42) Her advice for young professionals (18:15) Ashley’s thoughts on micromanagement (20:49) About her “Great Minds Overthink Alike” sign (25:19) Ashley’s final words of wisdom (26:56) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Ashley’s Website The Manager Method Book Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are your thoughts on the Pause, Consider, Act Framework?

This week’s guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed Adam’s Wheel of Sustainability, the importance of continuously improving, what his Sustainability System assessment is trying to solve, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Adam likes (2:41) His background (3:32) The Wheel of Sustainability (4:22) Why he created the system (6:48) A case study of how Adam has seen it work (7:33) The importance of continuously improving (9:20) What Adam’s assessment is trying to solve (12:16) The feedback he’s gotten (17:29) Adam’s challenge for our listeners (21:29) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Adam’s Past Gemba Academy Podcast Episodes The Wheel of Sustainability Get Your Sustainability Score Adam on LinkedIn Adam’s Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are your thoughts on the Wheel of Sustainability?

This week’s guest is Steven Remsen. Ron and Steven discussed Steven’s time at Intel, how to make change “stick” at a large organization, what Steven sees organizations struggling with, the current state of AI, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote that inspires Steven (1:57) Steven’s background (3:03) What he saw at Intel (6:42) The certification factory (9:15) Some of the changes they made (11:01) Making things “stick” across a large organization (16:38) What’s next for Steven and what organizations are struggling with (19:30) The state of AI (21:57) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Steven on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What do YOU think it takes to make a change “stick” at an organization?

This week’s guest is Dr. Julia Garcia. Ron and Julia discussed Julia’s book, “The Five Habits of Hope,” the power of resilience, the role hope plays in problem-solving, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Julia likes (3:59) Why she wrote her book (6:21) The power of resilience (7:40) Whether hope is a choice or a habit (9:10) Why it’s a good alternative to grit and struggle (10:51) Julia’s words of encouragement (15:01) The five habits of hope (17:30) How hope plays a role in problem-solving (31:34) Julia’s final words of wisdom (34:52) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 The Five Habits of Hope Julia’s Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Which habit of hope stands out to you?

This week’s guest is Royden Johnson. Ron and Royden discussed the concept of a lean operating system talking versus singing, the different phases of the operating system, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Royden likes (2:49) Royden’s background (4:08) Whether your lean operating system is talking or singing (12:53) Phase 1: Stabilize (16:27) Phase 2: Standardization (22:57) Phase 3: Continuous Improvement (28:44) A summary of the operating system (30:43) Royden’s final words of wisdom (35:48) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 524 | Connection Before Correction Royden on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are your thoughts on the three phases?

This week’s guest is Chad Bareither. Ron and Chad discussed making culture changes in the workplace, powerful aspects of Japanese culture, the importance of cleaning up, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Chad likes (3:06) His background (4:29) Chad’s thoughts on culture change (6:37) An anecdote about Japan (10:08) A powerful anecdote about a manufacturing plant (16:29) Examples of companies that are doing things well (17:56) Chad’s final words of wisdom (27:59) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 498 | The Power of Improving Less GA 556 | What a Successful Lean Transformation Looks Like Chad on LinkedIn Bareither Group Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Have you ever tried to implement cultural changes at your organization?

This week’s guest is Kathy Miller. Ron and Kathy discussed manufacturing, Kathy’s new book “MORE Is Better,” optimism, psychological safety, and the art of making high-quality connections. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Kathy’s favorite quote (2:41) Her background (3:01) What motivates Kathy to write books (5:14) What “more” refers to (6:57) The concept of optimism (10:33) What psychological safety (15:46) Advice for dealing with a difficult leader (21:55) High-quality connections and their impact on performance (28:08) Personality types and leadership (30:04) Using the MORE Mentor AI agent (33:49) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 417 | Steel Toes and Stilettos with Kathy Miller and Shannon Karels MORE Is Better Kathy’s Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? How do you define psychological safety?

This week’s guest is Hanna Bauer. Ron and Hanna discussed the role of emotional intelligence in success, balancing empathy and accountability, navigating love languages, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Hanna likes (2:38) Her background (3:17) The impact of cultural factors (6:03) The role of emotional intelligence in success (11:23) Explaining emotional intelligence (15:58) What alignment looks like (18:16) Balancing empathy and accountability (22:34) Hanna’s thoughts on love languages (26:22) Taking small, bite-sized steps (30:29) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Heartnomics Hanna on LinkedIn Hanna on Facebook Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What does alignment look like to you?

This week’s guest is Noah Waech. Ron and Noah discussed Noah’s experiences teaching lean, what happens when things don’t go as planned, Value Stream Mapping, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Noah likes (3:14) His background (5:05) An anecdote from when Noah was asked to teach about lean (7:22) What Noah enjoys most about teaching others (10:44) A time when things didn’t go as planned (13:20) Noah’s passion for Value Stream Mapping (21:13) His final words of wisdom (24:23) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Noah on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Do you have any experience teaching lean?

This week’s guest is Radhika Dutt. Ron and Radhika discussed OKRs, Toyota Kata, the target mentality, the OHLA puzzle framework, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Radhika’s favorite quote (3:13) Her background (4:26) What OKR stands for (6:46) What happens when you set goals and targets (7:47) The Toyota Kata framework (10:20) About the target mentality (23:46) How goals make us feel (26:37) About the OHLA puzzle framework (33:56) Measuring people (38:53)  Her final words of wisdom (43:35) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Radhika on LinkedIn Radhika’s Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are your thoughts on OKRs?

This week’s guest is Joel Hugghins. Ron and Joel discussed dealing with CAVE people, intellectual property, getting lean to stick, and more.  An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The proverb and quote Joel likes (3:11) His background (4:25) Impediments to getting lean to stick (6:34) Keeping things in balance (8:05) Why things are getting worse (11:28) Joel’s approach to CAVE people (21:23) The role of intellectual property (22:54) Examples of companies that are doing this well (26:22) What gives Joel hope (28:09) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Joel on LinkedIn Joel’s Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What obstacles have you faced in terms of getting lean to stick?

This week we’re ringing in the New Year with Billy Taylor. Ron and Billy discussed strategy and KPAs, hidden truths, clarity, being hard on the process, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Billy likes (3:45) Strategy and KPAs (6:28) Billy’s thoughts on hidden truths (9:32) How clarity breaks down (12:23) Being hard on the process, easy on the people (16:18) Billy’s “Skool of Execution” (20:42) His advice for listeners (22:37) Billy’s take on AI (26:30) His final words of wisdom (28:27) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Billy on LinkedIn GA 258 | Creating a Common Meaning GA 347 | Leveraging Deliberate Practice GA 352 | Defining, Executing, and Aligning Winning GA 450 | Governing the Standard with Billy Taylor Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? How does clarity break down, in your opinion?

This week, we’re sharing a special Christmas episode featuring insights from the Gemba Academy team. Each individual answered the question: What does continuous improvement mean to you in your own life? An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The format of this episode (0:45) A few words from Greg (1:32) A few words from Tomii (4:53) A few words from Alen (6:36) A few words from Jennifer (8:05) A few words from Ricky (9:09) A few words from Brita (11:47) A few words from Michael (13:28) A few final words from Ron (14:42) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What does continuous improvement mean to you in your own life?

This week’s guest is Alexandra Suchman. Ron and Alexandra discussed the concept of relational waste, playing games in continuous improvement, the role of personality differences, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Alexandra’s favorite quote (2:33) Her background (3:21) Her thoughts on playing games in continuous improvement (5:39) All about relational waste (8:02) How personality differences factor in (10:56) A time when a game didn’t work out (17:10) Alexandra’s go-to games for those just getting started (18:51) Her advice for incorporating games (20:46) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Alexandra on LinkedIn Barometer XP Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Have you ever played games in a continuous improvement setting? What kinds of games?

This week’s guests are Heather Underwood and Adam Marsland. Ron, Heather, and Adam discussed how lean is being applied in legal settings, the status quo when it comes to AI, what the future might look like, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quotes that inspire Heather and Adam (3:44) Their backgrounds (5:37) The role of lean (7:36) Examples of using lean in a legal setting (10:20) What they’re learning (13:01) The future of AI and its effect on humanity (17:38) Challenges as it relates to lean and AI (19:14) What things will look like in five years (24:52) The adoption of lean in the legal industry (27:01) Moving from control to curiosity (29:10) Their final words of wisdom (33:33) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Adam on LinkedIn Heather on LinkedIn GA 326 | Lean and Law in the UK with Adam Marsland GA 422 | Getting Lean Buy-In with Adam Marsland Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Are you concerned for the future in regards to AI? Why or why not?

This week’s guest is Caleb Wilczynski. Ron and Caleb discussed Caleb’s experience getting his Master Black Belt with Gemba Academy, the challenges his organization has faced, design engineering, leveraging OEE, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Caleb likes (3:57) His background (5:07) What he’s up to in continuous improvement (8:42) About Caleb’s design engineering role (12:06) Their change management journey (17:20) How else Caleb is using his new skills (21:24) How Caleb plans to share his knowledge (25:45) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Caleb on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are your thoughts on Overall Equipment Effectiveness?

This week’s guest is Gemba Academy Senior Coach and Instructor Ricky Banks. Ron and Ricky discussed what it means to lead without authority, working with incarcerated individuals, the importance of building relationships, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Ricky’s background (3:17) What “leading without authority” means to him (4:15) Whether it’s more or less important today (6:10) Building trust and credibility (7:47) An example of a spectacular leader (10:49) How it feels working with incarcerated individuals (15:02) How these skills work in the coaching context (18:24) The importance of relationships (22:27) The role of likeability (23:32) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Ricky on LinkedIn Ministry Manna Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What does the phrase “leading without authority” mean to you?

This week’s guests are Michelle Troseth and Tracy Christopherson. Ron, Michelle, and Tracy discussed the concept of an internal operating system, dealing with both burnout and boredom, the importance of personal alignment, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Michelle and Tracy’s favorite quotes (3:12) Their backgrounds (4:37) Characterizing burnout (6:03) Dealing with boredom (9:27) About the “internal operating system” (11:24) How to prevent leaders from self-sabotaging (16:22) “Upgrading” your operating system (20:52) The importance of personal alignment (24:23) An example anecdote (26:52) How that kind of impact makes them feel (30:56) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Tracy on LinkedIn Michelle on LinkedIn Missing Logic Burnout Proof Leadership Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What about the concept of an internal operating system can you relate to?

This week’s guest is Nick Klein. Ron and Nick discussed how Nick applies lean at his organization, the challenges they’re facing, and why quick improvements like cleaning up your desktop do more than you think. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Nick likes (2:37) Nick’s background (3:34) His journey (5:52) An example improvement (8:30) The size of their organization (10:08) The challenges they’re facing (13:57) A breakthrough moment (17:08) One of Nick’s favorite mistakes (19:20) Advice for anyone who is new to lean (22:55) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Nick on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What’s a quick fix you could do today to make your life easier?

This week’s guest is Katie Anderson. Ron and Katie discussed Katie’s most recent book, the Katalyst framework she created, her experiences leading trips in Japan, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Katie likes (2:55) Her background (4:52) What she’s learned since writing the book (7:54) The model she created (9:49) The mistake organizations and leaders make (13:05) Katie’s podcast journey (17:48) Her experiences in Japan (26:51) Katie’s take on AI (30:18) Her final words of wisdom (34:48) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Katie on LinkedIn Katie’s Website Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn GA 173 | How to Use A3 Thinking GA 242 | How to Leverage Different Lean Experiences GA 281 | Building an Online Community of Practice GA 297 | The Importance of Hansei and Revitalization GA 331 | Leading and Learning at Toyota GA 453 | Navigating the Struggle of Learning Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What interests you most about the Katalyst framework?