By LeanForHumans
4.7
1212 ratings
The podcast currently has 135 episodes available.
What’s the only thing we all have the same amount of? It’s the number of hours in our day. We live in a culture that is focused on productivity, but David Buck, the author of The Time Optimized Life, has a different perspective on time. He says we should be thinking about time optimization, not time management, and he bases his approach on lean thinking. I invited him to spend a little time with me at the Edges of Lean to share his insights. Note: this conversation is especially important for people who are considering retirement or other major work transitions!
David Buck
David Buck is the author of The Time-Optimized Life and brings over 35 years of experience in organizational and time management to his work. Drawing from an affluent career in business development, where he worked with Fortune 500 companies and innovative small businesses, David developed a comprehensive understanding of business and began thinking about a life strategy that balances career with personal fulfillment.
Having led numerous teams, David understands the difference between productivity and mere busyness. He believes strongly that people in their late 40s and beyond should have the option to pursue fulfilling lives without compromising their career aspirations. As his first customer, David embodies his philosophy, showing his clients that they do not have to choose between a rewarding career and a satisfying personal life. Instead, he guides them in crafting a lifestyle that excites and sustains them, whether it involves full-time work, part-time engagement, or a purposeful retirement.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:04:45 The focus on retirement and life after work
00:08:40 The importance of human connections and meaningful activities in retirement
00:11:41 Defining one's purpose and guiding principles for using time
00:16:23 Negotiating unique employment structures for flexibility in retirement
00:19:54 Building relationship capital at work and personal life
00:23:20 Embracing diversity and continuous improvement in retirement planning
00:26:56 The challenge of transitioning to retirement and finding purpose
00:31:37 Sharing life stories and family histories as a productive activity
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Memorable Quotes From David Buck
"Practice patience, as meaningful things often take longer than expected; it allows you to learn, grow, and appreciate the journey."
CONNECT WITH David Buck
Website: https://infinitylifestyledesign.com/tma/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/infinitylifestyle/
Phyllis Leavitt
Phyllis Leavitt’s journey into psychology began long before her formal education. Growing up in a close-knit community, she was always drawn to helping others and understanding the complexities of human emotions. This passion led her to volunteer at local shelters and community centers during her teenage years, where she witnessed firsthand the profound impact of trauma and the power of compassionate support.
Phyllis Leavitt graduated from Antioch University in 1989, earning a Master's in Psychology and Counseling. She co-directed Parents United, a sexual abuse treatment program in Santa Fe, New Mexico, until 1991, after which she dedicated herself to private practice full-time. Over the course of 34 years as a psychotherapist, Phyllis worked with children, families, couples, and individual adults, specializing in issues related to abuse and dysfunctional family dynamics, their consequences, and the essential components of healing. She is the author of two books, "A Light in the Darkness" and "Into the Fire."
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:01:44 Motivation for writing the book "America in Therapy"
00:06:00 The role of dysfunctional family dynamics in societal issues
00:11:48 Identifying and understanding symptoms of trauma and abuse
00:20:00 Bringing psychological principles to national conversations
00:26:10 Importance of seeing individuals, not labels
00:31:17 The need for deep listening and understanding of each other's stories
00:35:11 Introduction to Leavitt's book "America and Therapy"
00:39:04 Advice for young people: Find appropriate ways to contribute
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Memorable Quotes From Phyllis Leavitt.
"Healing from trauma is not just about rebuilding oneself; it's about nurturing the bonds of compassion that connect us all."
CONNECT WITH Phyllis Leavitt
Website:https://phyllisleavitt.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phyllis-leavitt-630179255
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhyllisLeavitt2
IG:https://www.instagram.com/pel2347/
Jonathan Vehar
Jonathan Vehar is on a mission to make meetings better. With years of experience as a leader, executive, and facilitator, he knows what works and what does not. Known as an "innovation thought leader" by Fast Company, Jonathan takes a fresh but productive approach to improving "how teams collaborate". He has worked with top companies like Disney, Intel, NASA, and Pfizer, and his insights have been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and Fast Company. Jonathan is also the co-author of six books on leadership, and his latest book, How to Make Meetings Not Suck, comes out in August 2024.
Cathi Brese Doebler
Cathi Brese Doebler brings over 25 years of experience in meeting facilitation, training, and leadership development. Cathi is passionate about helping others learn and grow. Cathi has been a Senior Consultant and Leadership Solutions Facilitator at the Center for Creative Leadership since 2013 and has worked with organizations like Fiserv and McBride & Lucius. She has also collaborated with several colleges, including the University of Buffalo and Erie Community College, blending her expertise in leadership with education.
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KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Memorable Quotes:
“Effective meetings don’t just happen — they require thoughtful planning, clear purpose, and respect for everyone’s time.”
CONNECT WITH Jonathan Vehar:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-vehar/
Website: https://vehar.com/
CONNECT WITH Cathi Brese Doebler:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathi-brese-doebler-91884910/
Website: https://ditchthe.com/about/
Twitter: https://x.com/CathiDoebler
Who are you when you are coaching? How are you presenting yourself to your learner? How might your inner emotional state affect your coaching effectiveness? Kelly Mallery coaches using the Toyota Improvement Kata and she joined me at the Edges of Lean to share some of her insights and what she has learned about the hidden side of coaching.
Kelly Mallery
Kelly Mallery serves as the Operational Excellence Manager for two Viant Medical sites while running her own coaching business, Kelly Mallery Coaching & Consulting LLC. She became part of Viant Medical in 2023, bringing her over 11 years of diverse manufacturing experience across industries such as solar, industrial consumer products, and aerospace. Throughout her career, Kelly has consistently focused on continuous improvement, and in the past five years, she has shifted her focus from practicing to coaching others. In 2020, she joined the Kata Girl Geeks, and by 2023, she founded Kata School Northeast, where she has established herself as a seasoned coach and 2nd coach. Kelly resides in the Upper Valley, situated between Vermont and New Hampshire, with her family.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Memorable Quotes From Kelly Mallery.
"Trust and healthy conflict are vital components of effective teamwork, and self-awareness plays a key role in cultivating these elements."
CONNECT WITH Kelly Mallery.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-mallery-123b0628/
We know that autonomy is one of the factors that leads to high employee satisfaction and that organizational alignment is required to achieve company goals. But how do you get both autonomy and alignment? Jurriaan Kamer believes that companies can achieve aligned autonomy, and there are specific actions leaders can take to reach this goal. He joined me at the Edges of Lean to share his experience and insights.
Jurriaan Kamer
Jurriaan Kamer is a Dutch expert in organizational change and co-founder of Unblock, a modern management consultancy. He is also a keynote speaker and the author of two influential books. His latest release, "Unblock: Clear the Way for Results and Develop a Thriving Organization," offers practical strategies for leaders to enhance ownership, speed up decision-making, and reduce bureaucracy for better outcomes.
Previously, Jurriaan wrote "Formula X," a business novel inspired by Formula 1 racing, recognized by Forbes as a must-read for navigating an uncertain market. With over a decade of experience, he helps organizations eliminate ineffective strategies and foster high levels of autonomy.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:02:20 Agile Principles vs. Practices
00:06:34 Organizational Culture and Scalability
00:09:38 Leadership Principles and Organizational Culture
00:12:40 Organizational Dysfunctions and Results
00:18:41 Formula One Behind the Scenes
00:21:25 Unblocking Organizational Challenges
00:24:15 Strategy as a Hypothesis
00:29:17 Control Needs in Leadership
00:32:09 Types of Decisions in Organizations
00:35:44 Teamwork and Psychological Safety
00:39:32 Thriving Organizations Through Lean
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Memorable Quotes From Jurriaan Kamer.
"Ownership is not something you can give to someone, it is something that people should take."
CONNECT WITH Jurriaan Kamer.
Website: http://www.unblockbook.net
Book Website: https://www.formula-x.co/
Linkedin :https://www.linkedin.com/in/jurriaankamer
X/Twitter: https://x.com/jurriaankamer
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jurriaankamer/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG1WPfl4intvNQy5_5bVBcw
A diverse organization is a competitive advantage –innovation and problem-solving thrive when people from diverse backgrounds work together. No matter who we are, when we move into that diverse environment, we all, no matter our race, carry baggage from racism in our culture. JD Mass has written a book called “Race for What,” addressing the causes of racism and steps white folk can take to heal from the harm of racism and begin to connect as humans. He joined me at the Edges of Lean to share his insights.
JD Mass
JD Mass grew up in St. Louis, one of America’s most segregated cities, where his parents raised him in the black community. He worked closely with his childhood friend, Nelly, during the first four years of Nelly’s career, witnessing his rise to international fame. JD later joined a global community of black ex-patriots focused on health, peace, and sharing. Throughout these experiences, he saw the highest impact of racism and power structures. To better understand cultural development, JD earned a degree in organizational psychology. His journey is fueled by a desire to understand the roots of racism and promote a more humane, loving world.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:06:04 Defining culture and its impact
00:08:27 Exploring the roots of racism
00:19:54 Letting go to experience new possibilities
00:21:59 Experiencing a peaceful community in Israel
00:24:02 Applying cultural appreciation to lean implementations
00:29:20 Step 2: Acknowledging the harm of our culture
00:30:26 Step 3: Letting go of power, privilege, and fears
00:32:29 Step 4: Appreciating the value of other cultures
00:35:58 Step 5: Repairing and healing the harm
00:39:04 Step 6: Being led by a new mind
00:39:16 Closing thoughts and advice for young people
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Memorable Quotes From JD Mass.
“Addressing racism requires understanding and changing historical and systemic patterns.
CONNECT WITH JD Mass.
Website: https://raceforwhat.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jd-mass-psyd/
X/Twitter: https://x.com/JDMass1
IG: https://www.instagram.com/raceforwhat/
As lean thinkers, we often look at life as a series of problems to be solved. I know I do this: I will be somewhere and see something that is working quite right, and I immediately think about the root cause of the issue and potential countermeasures to try. Do you do that, too? That is why I loved this conversation with Fletcher Ellingson, who talks about how to live a “feel good life,” building grace. And wait till you hear what he says about our values do not mean jack!
Fletcher Ellingson.
Fletcher is a speaker, coach, and author of the best-selling book The Practice of Feeling Good. Using a combination of science and psychology, he helps his clients break free from financial struggle, overwhelm, and persistent worry so they can spend more time doing what they love, contribute to their families, and impact their communities. Fletcher also hosts a regional weekly TV show, is a regular contributing columnist, and is a professional magician. He has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs and successful professionals embrace the principles of The Practice of Feeling Good. As a result, they have radically shifted their thinking and have been able to produce outstanding outcomes in their health, wealth, and relationships.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:01:22 - Roles and Mentorship
00:02:05 - Early Interest in Positive Thinking
00:02:46 - Influence of Early Experiences
00:04:50 - Discovering Magic and Its Impact
00:06:07 - The Joy of Performing Magic for Adults
00:07:04 - The Practice of Feeling Good
00:08:41 - Understanding and Influencing Emotions
00:09:12 - Feeling Good on Demand
00:12:27 - Empowering Stories and Their Impact
00:14:04 - Example of Empowering Stories in Daily Life
00:20:47 - Crafting Intentional Messages
00:22:13 - The Importance of Values in Lean Thinking
00:34:00 - Common Issues Clients Face
00:35:12 - The Overflow Effect on Relationships
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Memorable Quotes From Fletcher Ellingson.
"Get around the people who already have the results that you want.
CONNECT WITH Fletcher Ellingson.
Website: https://fletcherellingson.com/
X/Twitter: https://x.com/fletchellingson?lang=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gocoachfletch/
If you are a lean thinker, you are probably working to continually improve your skills in communicating with the adults in your life. You may also be working to bring some lean thinking into your family life. But what if you have some pre-teens in your family circle? They can be very challenging to work with – and that is where Marcus Higgs can help us. He works with parents of pre-teens to help them improve their connection with the kids at a time when the kids are beginning to establish their unique identities.
Marcus Aurelius Higgs.
Marcus Aurelius Higgs works with Certain Future to support parents of pre-teens (10-14 y.o.), helping them show up and maintain meaningful relationships with their children during these 'identity-breaking' years. He collaborates with parents who want to be present with their son or daughter before it is too late to bridge the gap. Using 'The SHOW UP Framework,' Marcus helps parents benefit by ensuring they are confident in their communication when their tween starts having big emotions, knowing how to be present when their pre-teen starts to withdraw, so their child continues to trust them and naturally opens up difficult conversations, and understanding how to support their child in ways that develop self-belief and resilience.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:03:25 - Identity Breaking Phase
00:04:09 - Development of Friendships
00:05:12 - Coaching a Young Musician
00:10:12 - The Concept of "Not Yet"
00:12:42 - Pygmalion Effect on Parenting
00:13:22 - Common Issues Parents Face
00:16:01 - Show Up Framework Overview
00:22:37 - Opening Up Communication
00:24:44 - Establishing Regular Check-ins
00:29:21 - Personal Story of Support
00:32:30 - Challenges of Modern Parenting
00:34:26 - Social Media and Identity Formation
KEY TAKEAWAYS :
Memorable Quotes From Marcus Aurelius Higgs.
"If you're a lean thinker, you're probably working to continually improve your skills of communicating with the adults in your life."
CONNECT WITH Marcus Aurelius Higgs
Website: https://marcushiggs.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartofmarcus/
You took the big plunge and started your own business. Maybe you already have a customer or two. But what comes next? Jamaul Ford is a second-generation entrepreneur with some great ideas about what you already know about learning cycles for finding and connecting with customers. Let's listen to what he has to say.
Jamaul Ford
Jamaul Ford, or Jamaul the Maven, is an accomplished second-generation entrepreneur whose business journey goes beyond commercial success. His mission revolves around fostering growth, empathy, and community. With a strong belief in understanding and connecting with people, Jamaul's business approach centers on empowering others to succeed. He has successfully scaled diverse businesses, taking startups from zero to 10k and guiding enterprises to reach milestones of 100k and beyond. As a leader, he actively engages with his team, values learning from every experience, and advocates for open collaboration and collective growth.
KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:06:22 Finding Your Passion in Business.
00:10:45 Lean continuous improvement techniques.
00:12:04 Listening to customers for success.
00:18:34 Creative problem-solving in business.
00:21:29 Understanding client needs.
00:23:42 What qualifies as a lead.
00:31:17 Using GPT prompt for research.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Memorable Quotes From Jamaul Ford
“Sometimes, people do not know what they need until you have shown them what they need.”
CONNECT WITH Jamaul Ford
Twitter/X: https://x.com/JamaultheMaven
When I was first working, one of the early lessons imparted to me was that whatever happened at home was not pertinent to my work life. That has been a difficult lesson for me to unlearn. It was one of many limiting beliefs that I wasn’t even aware I was carrying into my lean and continuous improvement work. Jeeva Sam joined me at the Edges of Lean to share his insights into some of the limiting beliefs that hold us back and what we can do about them.
Jeeva Sam
Jeeva Sam is a seasoned pastor turned advisor and mentor specializing in helping individuals and couples navigate through challenges in their personal and professional lives. With over 35 years of experience as a pastor and has led numerous individuals to achieve personal and professional growth, Jeeva uses his spiritual background to guide clients toward self-awareness and relationship harmonization. Based in Canada, Jiva has a unique approach to counseling and mentorship that focuses on addressing limiting beliefs, fostering healthy mindsets, and enhancing communication skills.
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KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:
00:05:57 Addressing Relational Stress to Improve Workplace Productivity
00:10:59 The Importance of Inner Work for Personal and Professional Success
00:16:29 Exploring Childhood Influences on Adult Behavior and Relationships
00:25:24 Reprogramming Beliefs Through Positive Affirmations and Supportive Company
00:28:49 The Importance of Coaches, Mentors, and Accountability Groups
00:30:08 Couples Masterminds and Gender-Specific Mentorship in Business
00:33:51 The Importance of Mentorship and Coaching for Young Entrepreneurs
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Memorable Quotes From Jeeva Sam
“Replace unhealthy beliefs with positive affirmations to reprogram your mindset for success."
"Surround yourself with individuals who uplift and challenge you to grow beyond your limitations."
CONNECT WITH Jeeva Sam
Website: https://thesams.ca/
Titter/X: https://x.com/jeevasam
The podcast currently has 135 episodes available.