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What do you think of when you hear the word “kaizen”?
An event? A process that you are working on improving? Something else?
The Japanese word “kaizen” is usually translated to mean “continuous improvement.” But there is a deeper meaning. It’s actually the lynchpin to creating a real culture of continuous improvement.
In this episode, I unpack the essence of kaizen, not only as a method for process improvement but also as a personal and organizational mindset for pursuing excellence.
Inspired by my recent keynote at the Shingo Institute conference and insights from studying Japanese and leading my Japan Study Trips, I explore how “kaizen” goes deeper than mere process improvement. It’s about cultivating an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute to change.
You’ll also hear the connection between Devo’s song “Whip It” and the word “kaizen” – and how you can both “whip it bad” and “whip it good” when it comes to continuous improvement.
YOU’LL LEARN:
Tune into this episode to discover how – “when a problem comes along” – you and your team can all “whip it” to solve problems at all levels and create an enduring culture of improvement. And I bet you’ll be singing this song for weeks!
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Does successful change always have to start from the top?
How can you stop pushing change on your leaders and instead create pull from them for the organizational culture you envision?
If you're leading continuous improvement internally, these questions are crucial because they address the challenge of how to cultivate a workforce of capable, engaged problem-solvers across all levels.
That’s why, in this episode, I welcome Pennie Saum, a Process Improvement Program Manager at the Port of Seattle, to discuss how to lead organizational transformation from the middle by engaging people's minds and hearts and bringing them along on the journey.
You’ll hear Pennie share how the Port’s Continuous Process Improvement (CPI) program has been pivotal in creating an engine of change by developing employees across the organization. From basic foundations to a selective Lean Specialist program, leaders at all levels are being empowered to lead improvement as part of their daily work. ,
Tune in to learn more about community building, inclusion, and effectively involving people in improving processes to create a vibrant culture of continuous improvement.
YOU’LL LEARN:
You’ll also hear why the Port of Seattle has invested in sending cohorts of leaders on my Japan Leadership Experience as a key part of its strategy to create a culture of leader-led continuous improvement and why Pennie is looking forward to joining me in Japan on a future cohort.
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Are you focusing on the right problems in your organization? More importantly, are you creating the conditions and processes to solve them effectively?
In this episode, Mark Graban and I explore the importance of developing the skills of an Analytical Systems Thinker—one of the eight core competencies in my Change KATALYST™ model—to catalyze truly meaningful change.
You’ll gain a better understanding of how to make informed decisions and drive improvement by applying the right kind of analytics instead of reacting to your metrics' ups and downs. Mark also shares ways to think more systemically about processes across your organization.
We explore why fostering an experimental culture and responding kindly to mistakes is crucial for driving organizational innovation and improvement.
If you’re looking to advance as a continuous improvement change leader who leads change and creates real improvement, this is an episode you’ll want to tune into now.
YOU’LL LEARN:
You’ll also hear why Mark is thrilled to join Katie’s Japan Study Trip Leadership Experience in November 2024. Katie's exclusive immersive program is a high-value opportunity to observe lean principles in action and understand the heart and soul behind creating a culture of continuous improvement. Submit your application today for the next cohort and join over 150 global leaders who have joined Katie for this journey of what it means to create a culture grounded in respect for people and continuous learning.
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Want to know the secret to success?
It’s about embracing lifelong learning, being willing to try new things and seek out information, setting intentions to get better, and embracing the failures that come with learning your way forward.
I believe when we stay in learning – a learning attitude, mindset, and practice – anything is possible.
Being a “learning enthusiast” is a foundational part of who I am. It’s given me the courage to step out into the unknown and, ultimately, has catapulted my personal growth and leadership impact.
In this week’s episode, you’ll discover the 5 core attributes I believe are the heart of becoming a Lifelong Learning Enthusiast, one of the competencies in my Change KATALYST™ model, and how you can leverage them to drive your success too.
So, if you’re ready to revitalize your commitment to learning and enhance your personal, team, and organizational impact, you’re in the right place.
YOU’LL LEARN:
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What's your reaction when you hear the phrase “corporate politics”? Does it make you cringe and want to run away, or do you get curious about how to leverage them to influence outcomes?
In this episode, Betsy Jordyn joins me to discuss the essential skill of how to successfully navigate organizational politics. As a long-time organizational development consultant for companies like Disney, Wyndham, and AAA, Betsy’s expertise on the subject is enlightening.
Throughout our conversation, you’ll learn the difference between good politics and toxic environments and what’s at risk if leaders don’t prioritize a focus on astutely navigating those dynamics. Betsy also shares valuable details about some of the more complex organizational transformations she has led, and how she successfully maneuvered within those political landscapes.
If you’re looking to gain influence and effectively leverage corporate politics and relationships so that you can lead change and step into your full leadership potential, then you won’t want to miss this episode.
YOU'LL LEARN:
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Have you ever had a team member look at you with frustration when you share your great ideas and suggestions with them?
Or, have you ever felt like—with all the things you need to solve and do—you don’t have time to ask questions? Like you’re stuck putting out fires rather than nurturing, growing, and developing the people you lead?
If this resonates, it’s likely you have a “telling habit.”
But, the good news is, you can break it—or rather—you can work at creating better habits. Because you can never actually break a habit. You just replace it with stronger ones.
In this episode, you’ll learn what the “telling habit” is and what you can do to not only recognize it but how you can make three simple shifts that will dramatically increase your effectiveness.
Throughout my life and career, I’ve struggled with a “telling habit”—though at times I didn’t even realize how strong it was or the negative impact it had.
Breaking the Telling Habit is THE most powerful shift you can make as a leader, coach, or human being. If you’re ready to transform into a leader who can navigate the continuums between asking and telling, advocating and inquiring, being an expert and coach, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.
YOU’LL LEARN:
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What is the difference between authentic cultures of continuous improvement versus superficial displays?
In this episode, Patrick Adams shares his insights on the heart of organizational culture and transformational leadership and highlights the essential elements of a real culture of continuous improvement -- so that you can ensure that you and your organization get it right.
The truth is, there are no quick fixes, “silver bullets,” or prescribed roadmaps to achieve a high-performing organization.
Patrick shares how a long-term commitment and leadership behaviors are necessary to sustain cultures that foster growth, innovation, and people engagement.
If you want to know how to create a real culture of continuous improvement, one where leaders embody the humility to roll up their sleeves, demonstrate respect for their people and customers, and connect everyone to a long-term vision built on purpose, this episode is for you.
YOU’LL LEARN:
Tune in now for insights and strategies to empower you with knowledge of how to lead your company toward a real, lasting culture of continuous improvement.
ABOUT MY GUEST:
Patrick Adams the founder of Lean Solutions and is the best-selling author of "Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap". He's a sought-after leadership coach, consultant, and professional speaker. Patrick’s insights, drawn from extensive experience working with companies of diverse industries and sizes, are driven by a philosophy of constant learning and leadership commitment—essential for building organizational excellence.
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What’s your purpose as a continuous improvement or lean practitioner? And how can you fulfill your potential as a transformational change leader?
Tune in to my conversation with master operational excellence change leader Karen Martin to find out!
Becoming a transformational change leader means balancing your technical skills to deliver results while cultivating the influence, coaching, and facilitation skills to lead change and develop people to create a high-performing organizational culture.
Whether you are an operational excellence professional or a leader that has a passion for continuous improvement, this episode will inspire you to excel in both the formal role that you were hired to do and the greater potential of the role that you want to lead transformational change.
From learning how to more effectively navigate the complexities of business language to influence leaders, cultivating effective coaching and facilitation skills, and becoming aware of the limiting pitfalls that can hinder your impact – this episode is a must listen.
You’ll Learn:
Tune in now for actionable strategies and insights to equip you to step into your greater transformational leadership potential and position you to lead lasting impact in your organization.
About My Guest:
Karen Martin is the President and Founder of TKMG Academy and Founder of TKMG, Inc., and is an award-winning author of several books, including "Clarity First" and "The Outstanding Organization". Her clients include Fortune 500 companies and government agencies from local to federal levels. With a master’s degree in education, Karen is a mentor at heart and committed to fostering growth and nurturing potential in others to achieve lasting results and lead organizational change.
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Are you enjoying the Chain of Learning podcast? Be sure to subscribe or follow – and to share this podcast with your friends and colleagues so we can all strengthen our Chain of Learning® – together.
Timestamps:
03:09 The purpose and potential of a transformational change leader
11:53 Practical advice for accelerated discoveries about how to get results and develop people
16:41 Learning to be an effective change leader through facilitating, overcoming fear, navigating organizational dynamics
27:16 Gaps in continuous improvement cultures and how to overcome them
35:56 Internal-capability challenges and opportunities for change leaders, managers, and executives
37:03 Karen’s example about valuing the people-development side of business
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What if you had a new superpower that would unlock your leadership potential?
One so simple yet will amplify your impact, open doors to the C-suite, and accelerate engagement across your organization so that you deliver more business results while realizing your vision for a people-focused learning culture?
This episode unveils your superhero cape so you can unleash your leadership superpowers today to lead organizational change.
Tune in to go beyond leadership theory to actual practice of how to pair your technical expertise with the power, influence, and relational skills to become a transformational change leader.
My guest, Shawn Carner, describes how he moved from an operational excellence practitioner to a senior transformation leader at a global biotechnology company – and gives you real examples of how you can too.
You’ll Learn:
Dive into this episode now to discover the transformative superpowers that will amplify your impact and drive success in your organization!
Looking for more inspiration and actionable tips to step into your leadership impact? Be sure to subscribe and follow Chain of Learning so you never miss an episode.
About my Guest:
Shawn Carner, MBA, is the Director of Operational Excellence at Genentech, part of the Roche Group. An accomplished change agent with a proven ability to develop and implement business process transformations, lead people and deliver business results, Shawn has worked with Genentech since 2005. Shawn is also a talented visual communication expert, a certified ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt, and Master Scuba Instructor.
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Move from Technical Expert to Influential Leader
Do you want to move beyond being a tools or process improvement project “doer” or technical expert to a transformational change leader?
Have you wanted to step into greater influence and impact in your organization?
Or perhaps you're a leader seeking to create broader organizational change but don't quite know how?
Leading transformational change to create a high-performing culture or lead lean transformation requires you to pair your technical expertise with social and relational skills that will enable you to catalyze change and accelerate the rate of learning in your organization.
In this episode we’ll explore the importance of your role as a transformational change agent and how you can step into greater impact by growing your leadership skills with my framework – the KATALYST™ model.
“Katalyst” is a mix of the words “catalyst” and "kata" – it is someone who accelerates the rate of learning for organizational progress.
Hit play to discover how you can step into your impact as a transformational leader and bridge the gap between where you are today and becoming an influential change Katalyst ™ in your organization.
You'll Learn:
If you want to increase your influence and realize your vision of a thriving people-centered learning organization, you won’t want to miss this episode. Tune in now!
Looking for more inspiration and actionable tips to step into your leadership impact? Be sure to subscribe and follow Chain of Learning so you never miss an episode.
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Timestamps:
2:05: The Change KATALYST™ model
3:12: Transition from a Practitioner to a Change Leader
6:28: The Inspiration of “kata”
7:11: The impact of implementing KATALYST™ model
9:38: K – Knowledgeable Business Expert
13:39: A – Analytical Systems Thinker
18:19: T – Tactical Strategic Aligner
22:11: A – Astute Political Navigator
25:03: L – Lifelong Learning Enthusiast
27:42: Y – Yes-Minded Persuader
31:29: S – Skillful Facilitator
34:48: T – Transformational Coaching Leader
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