The Lean Solutions Podcast

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:In this episode, Shayne Daughenbaugh is joined by Dr. Anas Saeed to explore how organizations can successfully integrate artificial intelligence and automation into their business processes. They discuss why simply adding AI to existing workflows can amplify inefficiencies and why organizations need to rethink and redesign processes before introducing new technology.Dr. Saeed shares how businesses can become more AI-native by allowing technology to handle repetitive tasks while keeping people responsible for judgment, relationships, and complex decisions. The conversation also explores the importance of involving employees in system design, preparing for real-world exceptions, and understanding the limitations of AI.You'll also learn practical steps for evaluating whether a process is ready for automation, how to integrate AI with existing systems, and why ongoing monitoring and human oversight are essential for building reliable, effective solutions that improve productivity and create lasting value.Key Takeaways:1. Automating a broken process only amplifies existing problems and inefficiencies.2. Organizations should redesign processes for AI rather than simply adding technology to existing workflows.3. AI should handle repetitive tasks while humans remain responsible for judgment, relationships, and exceptions.4. Involving the people who perform the work is essential for identifying real-world challenges and designing effective automation.5. Understanding AI's limitations and preparing for unexpected situations helps prevent automation failures.Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/anas-saeedhttps://alphchi.com/https://www.findleansolutions.com/

What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeIn this episode, Catherine McDonald is joined by Marilyn Rosa-Green to explore the pressure paradox and how the same drive that makes leaders successful under pressure can also lead to self-doubt, stress, and burnout. They discuss why high-performing leaders often normalize unhealthy levels of pressure, how to recognize the warning signs, and the difference between healthy ambition and unsustainable stress.Marilyn shares how leaders can identify patterns in their thinking and behaviors, manage their emotions, and focus on what they can control. The conversation also explores the role organizations play in creating healthier workplace cultures through psychological safety, supportive leadership, and everyday practices that prioritize employee well-being. Marilyn also explains how simplifying priorities, developing self-awareness, and focusing on what truly matters can help leaders reduce unnecessary pressure while continuing to perform at a high level.Key TakeawaysThe same drive that makes leaders successful under pressure can also lead to stress, self-doubt, and burnout.Recognizing the difference between healthy ambition and unsustainable pressure is essential for long-term success.Leaders influence workplace culture through how they manage stress, regulate emotions, and respond to challenges.Employee well-being must be reflected in everyday leadership behaviors, organizational policies, and workplace practices—not just wellness initiatives.Focusing on what you can control helps leaders manage pressure and make clearer decisions.Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/consultmarilyn/https://www.marilynrosaconsulting.com/https://www.findleansolutions.com/

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:In this episode, Patrick Adams and Catherine McDonald are joined by David Norris to explore why organizations should improve their processes before automating them. They discuss how jumping too quickly into automation or AI can result in organizations simply automating existing waste and complexity.David shares how leaders can understand the current state, identify root causes, involve the people doing the work, and eliminate unnecessary steps before introducing technology. The conversation also explores how to identify good opportunities for automation and build a culture where continuous improvement becomes part of everyday work. Episode 37_otter_ai_transcript Episode 37_otter_ai_transcriptKey Takeaways:1. Don’t automate waste—improve the process before adding technology2. Understand the current state before designing the future state3. Involve the people doing the work when identifying problems and improvement opportunities4. Start small: choose one process, walk it, ask questions, and begin improvingLinks:https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-norris-17016b146/https://elevatedmtnsolutions.com/https://www.findleansolutions.com/

What You'll Learn in This Episode:In this episode, Andy Olrich and Catherine McDonald are joined by Lean culture coach Edwin Proper to explore why organizations need to stop managing Lean and start growing people. They discuss how lasting Lean cultures are built through small, consistent leadership habits rather than tools or one-time improvement initiatives.Edwin shares practical ways leaders can build engagement, psychological safety, and continuous improvement into everyday work—from morning meetings and celebrating small wins to creating space for employees to identify and solve problems.Key Takeaways:Building a Lean culture starts with growing people, not implementing toolsSmall, consistent leadership habits create lasting culture changePsychological safety gives people the confidence to learn, experiment, and improveStart small, stay consistent, and let continuous improvement become part of the organization's DNLinks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwin-proper-growth/https://v2.stan.store/ProperGrowthhttps://www.findleansolutions.com/

What You'll Learn in This Episode:In this episode, Patrick Adams and Shayne Daughenbaugh are joined by returning guest Olaf Boettger to explore how continuous improvement and daily management apply beyond traditional operations, including sales, commercial teams, innovation, and product development.They discuss why effective daily management requires the courage to identify problems instead of hiding them, how leaders can create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing bad news, and why curiosity, humility, and consistent leadership behaviors are essential for building a true culture of continuous improvement. Key Takeaways:Continuous improvement applies everywhere—not just in operationsYou can't improve problems you're unwilling to acknowledgeLeaders build trust by responding to problems with curiosity and support instead of blameKeep daily management simple, consistent, and focused on action, visual management, and problem solvingLinks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olaf-boettger/https://www.findleansolutions.com/