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

This week's guest is David Tuttle. David is the head of Precision Machining Technology at Platt Technical High School, and he explained how the program works and how it can be life-changing for students. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that David likes (3:01) David's background (3:26) The program at Platt Tech (4:53) Why there aren't more programs like it (11:12) How the pandemic affected the program (13:15) How workplace development is changing (16:58) Advice for building lean into the curriculum (18:22) David's plans for the future (19:45) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Precision Machining Technology at Platt Technical High School David on LinkedIn What Do You Think? How else could teaching lean and manufacturing principles in high school be beneficial?

This week's guests are Max Krug and Pavel Kuviarzin. Part Two of a recent episode, Max and Pavel discuss everything from root cause analysis and problem-solving, to sustaining success. They also stressed the importance of visual management. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire them (2:33) Their backgrounds (3:30) Real-life examples of root cause analysis and problem-solving (6:29) Identifying the problem you're trying to solve (10:45) Quantifying the problem (14:01) The importance of visual management (18:32) The benefits of control charts, Pareto, etc (24:10) Sustaining success (27:21) Advice for experienced practitioners (33:24) Advice for new practitioners (42:41) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Future State Engineering Pavel on LinkedIn Max on LinkedIn What Do You Think? What visual management tools do you use?

This week's guest is Shannan Vlieger. Ron and Shannan talked all about Douglas Dynamics and their management system, DDMS. Shannan explained the five levers of DDMS and why they're important. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Shannan's favorite quote (4:25) Her background (4:59) Why DDMS is important (8:13) The five levers of DDMS (10:27) Building DDMS into practice (11:20) Leading through participation, not proclamation (14:20) Think and act like a coach (17:52) The five things they're focused on (22:19) Eliminating fear and comfort (27:12) Building positive tension, not stress (30:33) A review of all five levers (34:09) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Shannan on LinkedIn The Fearless Organization Douglas Dynamics Presentation PDF Douglas Dynamics Presentation Slides Henderson Products Virtual Tour What Do You Think? Which lever speaks to you the most? Why?

This week's guest is Sarah Tilkens.  Sarah talked about her journey as a leader at GE and how she has embraced her true self in the process. Sarah also explained her interest in becoming a life coach. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Sarah likes (3:41) Sarah's background (4:44) Learning your way forward (11:58) The successes Sarah has had (13:47) Her journey of self-identity (17:19) Problem-solving at GE (19:01) How they use leader standard work (27:02) Sarah's interest in becoming a life coach (29:55) Advice for those who are doubting themselves (38:29) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Sarah on LinkedIn GA 275 | Leading vs. Serving with Sarah Tilkens What Do You Think? Have you ever seen a life coach? What was your experience like?

This week's guest is John Knotts, Senior Coach at Gemba Academy. Ron and John took a deep dive into process improvement versus project-based approaches, and why the two can and should coexist. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires John (2:59) John's background (4:39) Process improvement environments versus project-based environments (7:14) What it means to be the "JEEP" (14:29) The different leadership approaches (18:50) Why Ron hates the "Control" aspect of DMAIC (21:28) The cultural differences in perspective (25:39) Tips for those going through certification (27:53) Tips for those in process management (30:39) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 John on LinkedIn GA 392 | Using Lean on a Horse Farm with John Knotts What Do You Think? In your experience, what are the pros and cons of process-based versus project-based approaches to continuous improvement?

This week's guest is Gemba Academy Co-Founder Ron Pereira. As we kick off the new year, Ron decided to share some of the observations he's made and the lessons he's learned recently, and how he's going to live and lead in 2022. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Identifying your "Why?" (3:25) Controlling what you can control (6:37) Being aware of your confirmation bias (11:03) The importance of developing good habits (17:04) Being intentional (20:07) The importance of having a support group (23:59) Choosing your communication carefully (28:23) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Episode 261 | Building the Habit of Excellence with James Clear Ron on LinkedIn What Do You Think? What are you going to focus on in 2022?

This week's guests are Max Krug and Pavel Kuviarzin. Max and Pavel gave us their take on the relationship between lean, processes, and The Theory of Constraints. They also touched on the dangers of falling too far into one particular CI "camp." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Max and Pavel (3:28) Max's background (3:59) Pavel's background (5:14) What TOC is all about (8:17) An example of using TOC (10:38) Using Gantt charts (13:54) Why the final editing is the constraint (21:57) About "drum buffer rope" (24:23) How they identify the root cause (27:52) The dangers of CI "camps" (31:01) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Pavel on LinkedIn Max on LinkedIn Future State Engineering The Goal What Do You Think? What has your experience been with TOC?

This week's guest is James Newell. Ron and James talked all about what VUCA means, how James introduced his team to lean, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire James (2:12) James' background (3:30) What VUCA stands for (5:58) Practicing lean in a volatile setting (6:40) The two kinds of leadership (18:20) Why the environment was VUCA (18:51) How extreme interviewing works (21:10) Handling work counsels (24:10) Learning the practical parts of lean (26:35) How it's been going since James left (31:21) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 James on LinkedIn GA 322 | Tailoring the Kata Model with James Newell GA 224 | How to Apply Lean in Different Countries with James Newell What Do You Think? Have you ever been in a VUCA environment? Describe your experience.

This week's guest is Robb Holman. Ron and Robb talked about Robb's most recent book, Move the Needle. Robb also shared some of the most powerful stories we've had on the podcast to date. Don't skip this one. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Robb (2:36) Robb's background (3:46) About "Inside Out Leadership" (6:30) How to bring out the best in someone (7:37) A profound story that changed Robb's life (12:13) The reason Robb starts with people (16:53) The importance of first impressions (19:23) Efficiency through effectiveness (22:28) Leaving a legacy (25:43) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 305 | Building Trust and Leveraging Conflict with Robb Holman Robb on LinkedIn Robb's Website Move the Needle on Amazon Move the Needle Website What Do You Think? Which of Robb's stories moved you the most? Why?

This week's guest is Peter Docker. Speaker, author, and former member of the Royal Air Force, Peter had a lot of very powerful leadership advice to share. He and Ron also specifically discussed Peter's book, Leading From the Jumpseat. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Peter (2:40) Peter's background (3:25) His most intense moments in the military (5:38) About his book, Leading From the Jumpseat (13:20) What happens if the jumpseat pilot makes mistakes (18:20) The third theme of belonging (26:45) The story of Apollo 13 (30:32) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Leading From the Jumpseat on Amazon Peter's Website Peter on LinkedIn Peter on Twitter What Do You Think? How, as a leader, have you relinquished control? Share an example.

This week's guest is Juan Gomez. Juan has an impressive continuous improvement background and a real passion for Industry 4.0. He and Ron talked about the history of industrialization, how we'll adapt moving forwards, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Juan's favorite quote (2:56) Juan's background (6:24) About the history of industrialization (8:27) What Industry 4.0 is (10:40) Ron's concerns with Industry 4.0 (12:39) How Juan sees things playing out (16:45) Why and how we will adjust to new technology (18:12) How it'll affect unemployment (20:58) How this will affect continuous improvement (22:35) Advice for those interested in Industry 4.0 (28:14) About the Digital CI Workshop (30:15) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Juan on LinkedIn The Digital CI Workshop (use promo code "Gemba" for 25% off) What Do You Think? What are your thoughts on Industry 4.0? Are you apprehensive at all?

This week we're celebrating our 400th episode with some very special guests, the Gemba Academy Co-Founders. Joined by Jennifer, one of our Business Development Managers,  Ron, Jon, and Kevin reflect on our journey as a company thus far. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  How Kevin got started with lean (2:59) How Jon got started with lean (4:19) How Ron got started with lean (6:10) Why they started Gemba Academy (9:21) About the culture at Gemba Academy (14:10) The role of autonomy (15:08) How Jon grows as a leader (19:12) How Kevin grows his team (21:15) Important attributes for leaders (25:32) The hardest part of being a leader (27:19) An invaluable lean concept (28:52) A hurdle on his lean journey Kevin has had to overcome (31:39) Some failed experiments (34:01) Ron's recommendations for getting started with lean (39:27) What's coming next at Gemba Academy (42:53) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 What Do You Think? How do you grow as a leader?

This week's guests are Mike De Luca and Nick Katko. Together with Ron they discussed the concept of lean accounting, and what its advantages are over traditional cost accounting. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Mike's favorite quote (4:16) Their backgrounds (4:48) Why lean accounting is important (6:23) Why it's better than traditional cost accounting (8:47) What to do if the customer is wrong (13:24) Using traditional cost accounting versus lean accounting in healthcare (15:40) Leading and lagging indicators (24:13) About their book (26:03) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Practicing Lean Accounting on Amazon BMA BMA Books BMA on YouTube LEI Lean Accounting Newsletter Mike on LinkedIn Nick on LinkedIn What Do You Think? Have you had any experience with lean accounting?

This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Adam is back this week to tell a few more inspiring lean stories we didn't get to last time. Be sure to check out Episode 393 for Part One! An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  A quote Adam likes (2:56) The first story (7:19) The importance of communication (14:18) The second story (16:38) What this says about how people think (23:24) The third story (26:08) Adam's final words of wisdom (35:16) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 393 | Lean Storytelling with Adam Lawrence The Wheel of Sustainability Adam on LinkedIn Adam's Website Adam on YouTube Adam on Calendly Adam's Google Business Page What Do You Think? Which of Adam's stories resonated with you the most? Why?

This week's guest is Michael "Austin" Giles. Austin explained what it's like to practice continuous improvement in the military and how military leadership is similar to lean leadership. He also shared a great anecdote about making mistakes. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Austin's favorite quote (1:47) His background (3:03) A story about the canine unit (5:47) About lean in the military (7:16) How formal or informal their approach is (16:36) The relationship between lean leadership and military leadership (20:21) Balancing toughness with Respect for People (24:12) An anecdote about learning and making mistakes (27:23) Austin's plan after the military (29:22) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Austin on LinkedIn What Do You Think? Describe a time you learned from a mistake. How did your boss/coworkers react?