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

This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. We've had Adam on the show a few times before and have come to love his engaging and thought-provoking stories. This week Adam shared several different ones, each with a different message. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Adam (3:05)

Adam's background (3:57)

About kaizen events (5:11)

Adam's first story (7:07)

Adam's second story (15:34)

Adam's third story (27:26)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com

The Wheel of Sustainability

Process Improvement Partners

Adam on LinkedIn

Process Improvement Partners on LinkedIn

Adam on YouTube

Adam's Calendly

Process Improvement Partners on Google Business

What Do You Think?

Share a lean story of your own. What important theme or lesson does it contain?

This week's guest is John Knotts. John is our newest Gemba Academy employee, and he shed some light on engagement and change readiness. John also owns a horse farm, and he explained how lean applies to that environment. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires John (3:29)

John's background (3:55)

What continuous improvement really looks like (6:20)

About John's book (11:30)

What engages people (13:35)

Why people don't change (17:14)

What John is extra proud of (24:43)

Applying lean to a horse farm (26:21)

The role of mentality (32:59)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com

Overcoming Organizational Myopia

John on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?

What unusual environments have you used lean in?

This week we're sharing a few different audio clips on the power and benefits of Toyota Kata. The videos they come from will be available to view on our website without a subscription, so be sure to check them out. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

What Toyota Kata is (1:43)

The two practice patterns (3:18)

The five main benefits of incorporating kata (4:03)

About our Toyota Kata: Practice Makes Progress course (6:46)

What Learning Looks Like (9:33)

Defining your challenge (13:34)

Why kids succeed at the marshmallow challenge (15:51)

The kata pattern and the threshold of knowledge (19:54)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com

What Is Toyota Kata? - Toyota Kata Essentials

Build a Tower, Build a Team

Toyota Kata: Practice Makes Progress - What Learning Looks Like

What Do You Think?

What does learning look like to you?

This week's guest is Valorie Hendrix. Valorie told us all about VAVE, what it stands for, and what its benefits are. Valorie also explained how VAVE can be applied in less traditional lean settings, not just manufacturing. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

Valorie's background (4:43)

What VAVE is about (7:20)

The early stages of her journey (9:29)

The balance between cost and relationship (13:23)

How you use VAVE (14:03)

VAVE and lean (23:44)

Applying VAVE in non-manufacturing environments (25:19)

Tips for learning about VAVE (30:11)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com

Valorie on LinkedIn

Dynamic Empire Consulting 

Streamlining Function & Value

Streamlining Function & Value on Amazon

What Do You Think?

Have you used VAVE before? Describe your experience.

This week's guest is Jamie Flinchbaugh. Ron and Jamie discussed the contents of Jamie's upcoming book, People Solve Problems. This episode is full of incredible insights on lean, leadership, problem solving, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

A quote Jamie likes (2:39)

Jamie's background (3:22)

Why Jamie wrote People Solve Problems (5:05)

Fighting confirmation bias (7:42)

The problem with problem solving (10:39)

People-centered capabilities (15:52)

The importance of breaking down the problem (18:41)

The role of intuition (22:13)

Testing to learn (25:07)

Problem-solving culture (27:57)

Creativity over capital (29:20)

Success through coaching (32:53)

Advice for those just starting out with coaching (35:08)

The role of a leader (38:41)

The "25 problems myth" (41:27)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Lean

People Solve Problems

Jamie on LinkedIn

Jamie's Website

GA 016 Developing Lean Leaders

GA 083 | Getting the Board on Board

GA 314 | The 4Cs of Trust

What Do You Think?

Which section of Jamie's upcoming book resonated with you the most?

This week's guest is Chandan Dey. Chandan provided some valuable insight on 3P, including advice on deploying it within your organization. Chandan also explained how and why the human brain is like a parachute. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Chandan (3:14)

Chandan's background (7:55)

His experience with 3P (12:03)

What 3P is all about (12:55)

Examples of 3P implementation (14:22)

Dealing with skepticism (23:03)

How your brain is like a parachute (25:21)

Advice for those interested in using 3P (25:55)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com

Chandan on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?

Have you ever practiced 3P? What has your experience been like?

This week's guest is Michelle Pereira. Michelle, who is Ron's sister, is a VP at Habitat for Humanity Manitoba. She and Ron discussed her journey to success and the non-profit world in general. They also discussed what Ron was like growing up! An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Michelle (3:05)

Michelle's background (4:38)

About Habitat for Humanity 6:39)

Michelle's journey (8:59)

About Michelle's coach (14:13)

Michelle's advice for her younger self (15:56)

What it was like growing up with Ron (19:59)

The dangers of overcommitting (28:29)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com

Michelle on LinkedIn

Habitat for Humanity Manitoba

Habitat for Humanity on YouTube

Habitat for Humanity Manitoba on Instagram

Habitat for Humanity Manitoba on Facebook

What Do You Think?

What advice has helped you find success?

This week's guest is Robert Stone. Robert has worked at organizations with varying degrees of lean experience, and he shared what that's been like. Ron and Robert also discussed why you can't do lean "to" people. MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Robert (3:33)

Robert's background (4:16)

How Robert heard about lean (7:08)

About lean and welding (9:01)

How Robert learned about lean (11:58)

Running kaizen events (14:41)

Dealing with resistance (17:48)

Implementing lean at his current company (18:38)

The contrast between his former and current companies (21:25)

What Robert would do differently (23:49)

His thoughts on suggestion boxes (25:24)

Robert's advice for frontline workers (31:36)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com

Robert on LinkedIn

The Kaizen Way Course

What Do You Think?

What does the phrase "lean artifact" mean to you?

This week's guest is Jared Thatcher. Jared wrote a book on using lean at home, including KPIs and visual management. While you don't have to be a parent to enjoy this episode, Jared does share some powerful ways lean can improve your parenting. MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Jared (1:37)

Jared's background (3:05)

About lean parenting (7:19)

Using lean at home (8:16)

Using KPIs at home (14:32)

Some Visual Management examples (20:18)

Getting started (24:55)

About the virtual lean summit (30:42)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com

Parenting the Lean Way

Jared on LinkedIn

Virtual Lean Summit

What Do You Think?

How else could lean apply to parenting?

This week's guest is Glade Holman. Glade has a coaching and consulting background, and he explained his work as a "feedback specialist." Ron and Glade discussed the nuances of giving and receiving feedback, including feedback jiu-jitsu. MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Glade (2:36)

Glade's background (3:10)

About generative feedback (7:31)

How we receive feedback (12:21)

About feedback jiu-jitsu (14:56)

Ron's advice to "play in the middle" (17:10)

The power of box breathing (21:20)

How he came up with feedback jiu-jitsu (24:22)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com

Glade on LinkedIn

LearningBridge

What Do You Think?

Are you receptive to feedback? Why or why not?