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

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?

This week's guest is Sara Ann Todd. Sara shared her thoughts on continuous improvement and organizational culture, specifically creating a culture of lean. She and Ron also discussed Respect for People, dealing with self-doubt, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

Sara's favorite quote (2:34)

Sara's background (4:13)

How to develop a lean culture (6:09)

Dealing with a lack of support from leadership (9:19)

Some of the barriers to developing a lean culture (11:03)

A setback Sara has experienced as a practitioner (12:16)

Sara's approach to coaching (14:33)

What Respect for People means to Sara (21:14)

What to do when a team member lacks confidence (24:17)

Advice for those just getting started (26:38)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Sara Ann Todd on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?

How do you address a lack of lean support from leadership? What can be done?

This week's guest is Sarah Cook. Sarah broke down the concept of tiered huddles, why they're worth doing, and how to get started. Be sure to check out our Lean Daily Management series for more on this topic. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Sarah (2:26)

Sarah's background (3:17)

About tiered huddles (5:19)

Having multiple huddles (7:52)

What you need to do tiered huddles (10:20)

What boards are used (12:45)

The challenges they have faced (13:36)

Focusing on leading versus lagging indicators (15:56)

The benefits of tiered huddles (17:11)

What tips Sarah would give herself (20:59)

Getting started with huddles (23:18)

Sarah's final words of wisdom (25:29)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Sarah on LinkedIn

Our Lean Daily Management Series

What Do You Think?

Do you have any experience with tiered huddles? What are the benefits? Potential drawbacks?

This week's guest is Karyn Ross. Karyn has been on the show quite a few times and each conversation is packed full of lean insights. This time, Karyn discussed her new book, The Kind Leader, and what it means to practice kind leadership. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Karyn (3:16)

Karyn's background (3:48)

Karyn's new book, The Kind Leader (5:01)

What kind leadership means (7:49)

The difference between kindness and niceness (12:21)

Behind the title (19:57)

Balancing accountability with kindness (24:22)

How Karyn deals with being hurt by others (31:18)

What Karyn would do if an employee was stealing from her (41:47)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Karyn's Consulting Site

Karyn on LinkedIn

The Kind Leader on Routledge

Big Karma and Little Kosmo Help Each Other

Think Kindly - Speak Kindly - Act Kindly

Stories From the Fox Continuous Improvement Team

The New School for Kind Leaders

The Love and Kindness Project Foundation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Do You Think?

Describe an act of kind leadership you've witnessed or experienced lately.