By Katie Anderson
5
2323 ratings
The podcast currently has 32 episodes available.
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Apply to May 2025 Japan Study Trip:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Me Anything' Episode
Submit your questions: https://chainoflearning.com/ask
Has your organization been making progress on its continuous improvement journey, only to find things starting to stall?
Is your team hesitant to share ideas, or are your lean or process improvement initiatives viewed mainly as cost-cutting measures rather than a comprehensive strategy for long-term success?
Perhaps you've been focusing on just one side of the path of excellence—improvement processes and tools—while overlooking a critical component: respect for people.
In this episode, Stephanie Bursek, Director of Human Resources at TrippNT, shares how her company's made a leap forward in their lean transformation by leading with the heart to focus on people and joy.
By going beyond process improvement tools to deeply focusing on people first, Stephanie and her executive team have fostered greater collaboration, trust, and growth, resulting in a thriving, engaged workplace with more problem-solving and innovation.
Tune in to learn how embedding respect for people into your organization’s foundation can drive sustainable cultural transformation and elevate both business results and employee engagement.
YOU’LL LEARN:
ABOUT MY GUEST:
Stephanie is a seasoned Human Resources executive with a passion for how to create a thriving organizational culture. As the Director for Human Resources at TrippNT, a family-owned manufacturing company based in the U.S., she's focused on building a unique organizational culture by uniting the pillars of continuous improvement and respect for people.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
TIMESTAMPS:
04:35 Stephanie’s realization of the missing element in her organization
08:10 The importance of a people-first approach to achieve results & improvements
12:11 The impact of the Collaborative Model for increasing productivity
14:15 The benefits of a psychologically safe environment that fosters respect & leads to better business results
19:03 The provocative quote from “Tree Ring Management” that always get jaw drops
20:27 How the leadership team at TrippNT models behavior that creates an engaging environment
24:10 Examples of a people-entered environment created through humility & resilience
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
What hot topics and burning questions are on your mind?
Asking better questions is one of the core subjects I talk about on the podcast – and in my work, and I want to hear from you!
“Ask me anything” is going to be the focus of the last Chain of Learning episode for 2024. So go ahead and send me your questions through the month of November: ChainOfLearning.com/ASK
What challenges are you facing in your leadership journey as you strive to make a greater impact?
Are you looking to secure buy-in from your team or upper management? Perhaps you’re aiming to break the “telling” habit and foster a more collaborative environment?
Or maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed and need strategies to transition from a doer to a change Katalyst™?
Anything is on the table. So go ahead and ask me anything!
Submit your questions by November 30th here: ChainOfLearning.com/ASK and I’ll be selecting a few of YOUR questions to feature and respond to for the last episode of the year.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
RELATED PODCAST EPISODES:
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Do you ever feel like you're stuck between chaos and bureaucracy, unable to break free from the status quo?
You are probably facing a common challenge that other leaders and change practitioners experience: how to navigate uncertainty while trying to drive innovation and agility in your organization.
In this episode, Atif Rafiq, seasoned C-suite executive and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “Decision Sprint” shares what he’s learned about leading through ambiguity to drive digital and cultural transformations at global companies like Amazon, McDonald’s, and MGM Resorts.
Atif breaks down the Decision Sprint framework to help you bring clarity into the unknown by moving problem-solving upstream, enabling you and your teams to make faster, smarter decisions that drive meaningful change and innovation.
Uncertainty IS what most organizations are facing today. Relying on outdated leadership models and approaches to problem-solving keeps you trapped facing the same issues year after year without real progress.
Tune into this episode and gain insights how you can break free from this cycle and embrace new approaches to navigate ambiguity and empower you to innovate and lead by making decisions faster, smarter, and better.
YOU’LL LEARN:
Enter for chance to win a signed copy of "Decision Sprint". Register by November 8th: ChainOfLearning.com/29 or https://kbjanderson.com/giveaways/decision-sprint/
ABOUT MY GUEST:
Atif Rafiq has reshaped industries and generated billions in revenue for some of the world's leading companies including McDonald’s, Volvo, MGM Resorts, Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL. He's the CEO of Ritual and the Wall Street bestselling author of "Decision Sprint: The new way to Innovate into the Unknown and move from Strategy into Action."
IMPORTANT LINKS:
TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:
[2:24] Atif’s massive career shift and the challenge of changing the culture of a large established organization
[5:51] The risk of staying in a safe zone rather than navigating through ambiguity
[7:52] Boring problems versus creative problems and an example of the importance of taking interest in a “boring” problem
[14:14] The Decision Sprint Model and how it helps move thinking and problem solving upstream
[16:21] The role of experimentation in problem solving and the benefits of collaboration to gain insights
[20:10] Concept of alignment and how it connects exploration and decision making
[25:57] Difference between bureaucracy and chaos
[29:11] Upstream and downstream work and creating different systems for managing both
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Do you ever feel stuck as a leader? It may seem like no matter how many problems you solve or tools you implement, you're still not seeing progress toward a sustainable organizational culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Maybe you have been leading change the wrong way.
In this episode, Cindy Hinds shares what she’s learned from 25 years of experience about how to lead organizational change the right way. She highlights what she has learned from her journey from being a technical expert to becoming a transformational change leader within a global organization who is equipping leaders at all levels to solve problems and innovating to drive business performance.
Transformational leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers. Connect with your purpose, step away from being the "doer," and empower others so that you – and they – can see better results.
YOU’LL LEARN:
ABOUT MY GUEST:
Cindy Hinds is the Global Director of Enterprise Excellence at A.O. Smith, manufacturing company with sites based across North America, Asia and Europe, where she is responsible for architecting A.O. Smith’s journey to create a culture of highly engaged people who are aligned in solving problems and innovating to continuously improve.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:
[5:13] Leading the right way and asking questions for a continuous improvement culture
[8:12] Finding gaps through Gemba to transform your approach as a leader
[11:18] Franklin Covey’s Speed of Trust Curriculum to connect behaviors to business outcomes
[15:06] Using “Nemawashi” to prepare for future actions or business decisions
[18:30] Focusing on a people-centric culture to avoid conflicting values
[21:16] Real-life examples of implementing sustainable practices for continuous improvement
[24:31] The maturity model to understand your current condition and ideal state
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Ever felt like your meetings or workshops aren’t moving the needle? How would you like to facilitate your next work session with confidence and ensure that your leaders are leaving motivated, aligned, and action-oriented?
Whether you're a continuous improvement practitioner, consultant, manager, or executive—facilitation is a crucial skill to master to become a transformational change leader. It’s the key to how you influence teams to shift behaviors, make impactful decisions, and drive meaningful results for the organization.
But great facilitation doesn’t happen by accident.
In this episode, we dive in behind the scenes to uncover the three key facilitation practices you must master to become a skillful facilitator, and some mistakes that you can avoid, so that you can ensure greater impact and make it easy for the team to get the results they need.
Whether you're working with senior leaders or your own teams, becoming a skillful facilitator is key to becoming the go-to person for driving success. It’s not just a valuable skill—it’s the foundation for establishing your credibility and ensuring that your team is engaged, aligned, and empowered to make informed decisions that move the organization forward.
YOU’LL LEARN:
IMPORTANT LINKS:
RELATED PODCAST EPISODES:
TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:
[3:40] Understand your role as a facilitator
[6:23] The importance of knowing the goal of the session before starting, whether it’s a workshop, leadership retreat, or a team meeting
[13:06] Learn how to create structure with flexibility by making real-time decisions to adjust based on the group’s needs
[18:01] Three ways to build reflection before, during, and after each session to ensure the impact of your session
[22:09] How to reflect with key stakeholders and yourself to grow your skills as a facilitator
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Want to inspire action in your presentations and transform your message from boring to unforgettable?
The secret: it’s not data and facts that create impact — it's your stories.
As humans, we’re wired to remember and respond to stories because they connect with our emotions and drive our decisions.
Storytelling is more than just a trending term; it’s the fundamental way to connect with your audience on a deeper level and how you actually ignite change.
In this episode, Carol Cox and I explore how to harness storytelling to not just share information, but to truly resonate. Regardless if you’re a keynote speaker presenting to a large audience or a leader speaking to your team, discover frameworks and insights on how you can turn simple anecdotes into powerful narratives that captivate, motivate, and inspire.
YOU’LL LEARN:
If you are a change leader looking to do more than just share information and genuinely drive action, you won’t want to miss this episode.
ABOUT MY GUEST:
Carol Cox is the founder and CEO of Speaking Your Brand®, a coaching and training company that works with purpose–driven professionals to enhance their thought leadership so they can tell the stories that need to be told and activate ideas for change.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
TIMESTAMPS:
00:44 The importance of storytelling in making a lasting impact for both business and individual leaders
04:48 How to avoid "expert trap" where leaders rely too heavily on data and information
10:55 The difference between sharing an anecdote and creating an emotionally compelling story
12:30 How the “Challenge, Choice, Outcome” framework can help you identify and shape your experiences into stories
12:38 IDEAL framework to enhance your storytelling and applying it effectively in various settings
30:12 Categories that can help you identify impactful stories to create your story bank
35:58 Practical tips to make your presentations more engaging and memorable
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Do you and your leadership team feel burdened by solving all the problems that get in the way of achieving the results your organization needs?
You’re not alone.
This is the crux of the leadership challenge: transitioning from being the primary problem-solver to a transformational leader who creates the conditions for their people to achieve results.
This requires a shift in mindset and a shift in behavior, and leaders must be serious about both.
So, what does it take—especially as a senior leader—to truly create a culture of continuous improvement?
To explore the journey to becoming a more serious leader, one striving to create a high performing organization in today's complex work environments, I invited two senior healthcare executives to the podcast.
Drs. Kecia Kelly, SVP & Chief Nursing Officer, and Amy Chaumeton, Associate Chief Medical Officer at Legacy Health share the changes they’re making in their leadership approach, including how they're creating alignment around mission and purpose, nurturing their teams’ problem-solving capabilities, and fostering joy and human connection in the workplace.
(Plus, you’ll hear how my Japan Study Trip leadership program has accelerated their leadership growth through a shared learning experience and purposeful reflection, and the positive effects these shifts are having on their teams and organizational outcomes.)
Whether you're an executive, operational leader, or coach guiding leaders to success, you won’t want to miss this episode. Tune in to discover how to transform your leadership and empower your teams to create a culture of excellence.
YOU'LL LEARN:
IMPORTANT LINKS:
TIMESTAMPS:
05:01 Challenges Amy & Kecia’s faced at Legacy Health and healthcare
08:51 Kecia & Amy’s approach to leading differently at Legacy Health
12:54 Amy’s “aha” moment on the Japan study trip and how it’s impacted her leadership
16:04 How Kecia now supports problem-solving within her team
16:40 How to create sustained improvement
22:49 How to be a “serious leader”
26:09 The significance of alignment and having a clear mission across the organization
28:14 The importance of leading with intention and respect for people
35:09 Behavior shifts in becoming a serious leader
44:58 The value of going on the Japan Study Trip as an executive leadership cohort
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
If you're passionate about continuous improvement, quality, or operational excellence, chances are Dr. W. Edwards Deming has shaped your journey—even if you haven't realized it yet.
But do you know how this influence came about and the profound impact Deming’s management theories have had on shaping quality and improvement approaches such as Lean, Agile, and DevOps?
I've invited John Willis, author of "Deming's Journey to Profound Knowledge," to today’s episode to explore Deming’s learning journey to become the father of the quality movement and how he influenced the development of the Toyota Production System and Japan’s rebirth following World War II.
We discuss Deming's pioneering management teachings and how you can apply his System of Profound Knowledge to solve problems in today's complex work environments.
We also explore the four lenses of the System of Profound Knowledge—appreciation for a system, understanding variation, theory of knowledge, and psychology—and how integrating these concepts can elevate your approach to leadership and improvement.
Tune in to discover how you can apply these management theories to solve the complex problems within your organization today.
YOU’LL LEARN:
IMPORTANT LINKS:
TIMESTAMPS:
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
What does “winning” mean to you as a leader? And what is your leadership role in creating a winning strategy and organizational culture?
According to Billy Ray Taylor, CEO and President at LinkedXL and former Goodyear Tire executive, winning is not only about setting a clear strategy and aligning on the goals and metrics, but engaging your team members and defining the actions to get there.
Billy and I recorded this episode back in 2022, just as his book “The Winning Link: A Proven Process to Define, Align, and Execute Strategy at Every Level” was about to be released – and I wanted to bring the conversation here for you to learn from Billy’s wisdom and insights about the humanity of leadership and how to win.
In this conversation you’ll hear stories from Billy’s leadership at Goodyear, highlights from his book, the importance of DEI in building a winning culture, and Billy’s greatest challenge – and greatest learning – as a leader.
Remember, the winning link in your organization is your people, and it’s the connection of links of people together that creates and grows our Chain of Learning.
YOU’LL LEARN:
IMPORTANT LINKS:
TIMESTAMPS:
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
Have you ever paused to reflect on the critical moments of your life and realized their impact on your own trajectory and others' lives?
In this special episode of Chain of Learning, I welcome back Isao Yoshino as we celebrate our decade-long partnership and the anniversary of our book "Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn." Together, we discuss the power of hansei—reflection—as the cornerstone of learning and wisdom.
We reflect on the journey of writing the book, the strength of our partnership, and the importance of asking the right questions. Mr. Yoshino shares how he continues to learn and grow from the book's lessons while uncovering the profound impact of reflection on his personal and professional development.
Join us as we explore practical ways to develop the habit of reflection, empowering you to gain new perspectives and insights.
Because remember, reflection is the crucial link in your chain of learning, guiding you toward continuous improvement and deeper wisdom.
YOU’LL LEARN:
IMPORTANT LINKS:
TIMESTAMPS:
Apply for the MAY2025 Japan Study Trip here:
https://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/
Upcoming 'Ask Katie Anything' Episode
Submit your question here: https://kbjanderson.com/ask
The podcast currently has 32 episodes available.
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