The Edges of Lean

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:

• The practice of feeling good involves learning how to feel good on demand, which includes feeling safe, secure, connected, enthusiastic, and optimistic. 

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 :

• Parents need to establish a strong identity and know their values and virtues.

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 

• Transitioning into entrepreneurship is easier when you have a strong foundation and a passion for your work.

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 

• Identifying and addressing limiting beliefs is crucial for personal and professional development.

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 

Lean practitioners often discuss the importance of delivering value to customers and understanding their needs. However, Danny Nathan takes this to a new level with his unique approach to lean customer development. His business is a testament to this. Intrigued by his methods, I invited him to join me on a journey to the Edges of Lean, where he shared his insights and practices. 

Danny Nathan:

Danny is a versatile entrepreneur who has made a name for himself by helping companies create and launch new products and ventures. With a background in various fields like product design, marketing, and strategy, Danny is known for his ability to solve complex business challenges. As the founder of Apollo 21, a company that combines business consultancy, product design, and venture studio, Danny helps companies foster innovation, drive growth, and overcome obstacles to scaling by developing cutting-edge technology.

KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:

00:02:59 - Transition from Acting to Technology

00:04:14 - Types of Products Developed by Apollo 21

00:10:42 - Challenges with Misunderstanding MVP

00:12:02 - Lean Customer Development Explained

00:13:14 - Importance of Validating Customer Needs

00:18:13 - Learning from Customer Development

00:20:04 - Identifying Ideal Customer Groups

00:21:34 - Process of Customer Interviews

00:26:24 - Creating Conviction Through Learning

00:27:00 - Differentiating Apollo 21's Approach

00:29:13 - Ensuring Against Post-Launch Failure

00:30:37 - Customer Observation Techniques

00:39:06 - Handling Multiple Stakeholders

00:40:17 - Heuristic vs. Data-Driven Processes

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Lean customer development is about discovering the purest pain point and validating the need, potential solution, and willingness of customers to pay for it before building anything.

Memorable Quotes From Danny Nathan::

“Fall in love with the problem and not the solution.”

CONNECT WITH Danny Nathan::

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amongmany/ 

Website: https://apollo21.io  

Have you earned an advanced degree? What was the dissertation process like for you?  Have you thought about going back to school for a PhD?  Are you wondering how to succeed and come out of the process with new knowledge, ready for your next challenge, and with your continuous improvement skills and self-confidence honed? Dr. Jen Harrison works with students as a dissertation coach, and she joined me at the Edges of Lean to share the pitfalls and the keys to success with researching and writing your dissertation, all while becoming more collaborative. 

Jen Harrison

Dr. Jen Harrison is a highly experienced dissertation coach with a Ph.D. in Children’s and Victorian Literature from Aberystwyth University in Wales, UK. Over the past decade, she has successfully coached and supervised first-generation, ESL, and non-traditional students in the UK and USA, helping many achieve first-class degrees. Dr. Harrison's expertise extends to providing support in writing, research design, motivation, and research methods. As the CEO of Read.Write.Perfect., she utilizes her background in secondary school English teaching, private tutoring, and experience in nursery and primary schools to offer exceptional writing and research services.

KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:

00:03:07 - Role of a Dissertation Coach

00:04:45 - Misalignment in Graduate Programs

00:06:21 - Field Non-Specific Coaching

00:08:29 - Pressure and Personal Stories

00:11:02 - Academic Year and Deadlines

00:15:31 - Realizing Misalignment with Goals

00:18:14 - Coachability of Students

00:20:14 - Applying Classroom Teaching Skills

00:25:13 - Differences Between US and UK Academia

00:32:21 - Advocating for Proper Supervision

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Set boundaries with your program and supervisor early on and stick to them.

Memorable Quotes From Jen Harrison

“Have a network, establish your network early on, and that doesn't just mean the people in your institution.”

CONNECT WITH Jen Harrison      

Website: https://readwriteperfect.com/

Titter/X: https://twitter.com/perfect_write

Free Call for Podcast Listeners: https://calendly.com/readwriteperfect/back-on-track-coaching-consultation-podcasts

Here at the edges of Lean, I love to talk with people who have taken Lean thinking into spaces far from the shop floor.  Tirrell Payton is a lean thinker bringing lean to pharmaceutical marketing – a highly regulated, people-focused business area and one of the places where people are very likely to say, “You can’t do lean here!”.  He joined me at the Edges of Lean to discuss why and how he does it. 

 Tirrell Payton

Tirrell Payton is a dynamic and compelling individual who brings energy and storytelling to any platform. As the leader of Nooma Group Consulting, Tirrell combines southern charm with strategic expertise honed at Kellogg. With a deep understanding of the realities and constraints of business and drug development, Tirrell and his team drive impactful transformation through innovation in large organizations. Tirrell specializes in bringing a fresh perspective to complex topics such as agility and transformation, organizational development, leadership and change management, management consulting, pharma (clinical operations, marketing), and entrepreneurship.

KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:

00:00:32 Bringing lean thinking to pharmaceutical marketing

00:03:49 Challenges of applying agile in regulated industries

00:08:04 Insights into the tendencies of the pharma industry

00:10:13 The challenges of not considering humans in decision-making

00:11:53 Shifting from software to the pharma industry

00:15:01 The importance of understanding regulations

00:23:12 Challenges in pharmaceutical marketing

00:28:09 Bringing people together post-pandemic

00:33:06 Lack of focus on outcomes versus activities

00:37:34 Applying scientific thinking across the company

00:43:28 Attributes of successful leaders

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• The pandemic has disrupted collaboration and created social isolation, making it harder for teams to prioritize and work effectively. 

Memorable Quotes From Tirrell Payton 

"Learn to write. Learning to write forces you to clarify your thinking, and it makes you a better thinker.”

CONNECT WITH  Tirrell Payton

Website: https://www.noomagroup.com/leadership/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tirrellpayton/  

We have been looking at different aspects of communication here at the Edges of Lean, and one aspect I wanted to explore more was the neuroscience of communication. Creative entrepreneur, writer, and coach Aurora Winter joins me to bring insight on that topic and highlight the power of stories. 

Aurora Winter  

Aurora Winter is a successful entrepreneur, bestselling author, TV writer-producer, and founder of SamePagePublishing.com. With expertise in film and neuroscience, Aurora helps people craft impactful stories that boost brands, books, and businesses. Winner of the Outstanding Nonfiction Book of the Year Award, her book "Turn Words Into Wealth" reveals seven ways to generate seven figures. She emphasizes the power of words to elevate income, impact, and influence. Passionate about meaningful discussions and valuable content creation, Aurora covers various topics, including the neuroscience of communication, marketing, pivoting, creating multiple income streams, turning books into movies, writing fiction and nonfiction, publishing, and more. 

KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:

00:00:14 - Exploring the Neuroscience of Communication

00:00:58 - Aurora Winter's Background and Journey

00:08:34 - Addressing the Midbrain in Communication

00:14:34 - The Power of Stories in Communication

00:20:40 - Impact of Stories on Belonging and Meaning

00:27:13 - Stories as Tools for Change and Inspiration

00:36:51 - Where to Find Aurora Winter Online

00:41:54 - Advice for Young People Starting Out

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Communication is a powerful tool that can significantly impact productivity and profitability.

Memorable Quotes From Aurora Winter 

"Stories teach values, and science provides information."

CONNECT WITH Aurora Winter    

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aurorawinter/  

Website: https://www.aurorawinter.com/

I believe lean thinking is the best way to manage a business and develop people. Even though I have much experience and many great examples to share, it does not mean I am always successful in persuading people. Carlos Alvarenga is a communications researcher who has delved into what it takes to be persuasive. He joined me at the Edges of Lean to talk about his new book: “The Rules of Persuasion,” and to explain why persuasion is a skill we can all learn. 

Carlos Alvarenga

Carlos A. Alvarenga is an independent communications researcher, writer, and coach. With a background in management consulting and academia, he has worked as an adjunct professor at the Robert H. Smith School of Business and as the Executive Director of World 50 Labs. Carlos is pursuing a Ph.D. in Communications and Rhetoric at the University of Maryland. Carlos resides in Bethesda, MD, with his wife, a physician/researcher, and they have two sons. His diverse experiences and educational background contribute to his expertise in effective communication strategies.

KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:

00:01:10 - Carlos's Background and Current Work

00:07:41 - The Elements of Character in Persuasion

00:11:34 - The Elements of Argument in Persuasion

00:12:19 - The Importance of Sequence in Presentations

00:14:27 - The Role of Emotion in Group Dynamics

00:22:50 - The Seven Kinds of Emotion in Persuasion

00:25:34 - The Importance of Emotion in Persuasion

00:33:36 - The Importance of Safety in Lean Transformation

00:37:14 - The Different Audiences in Persuasion

00:39:37 - The Dangers of Persuasion in the Wrong Hands

00:43:45 - Applying Persuasion in One-on-One Interactions

00:47:07 - Advice for Young Professionals

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Persuasion is a skill that can be learned and developed by anyone. 

Memorable Quotes From Carlos Alvarenga

"If your ideas walk out the door with you at night, if your projects would die if you quit tomorrow, you haven't persuaded anyone.”

CONNECT WITH Carlos Alvarenga      

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlos-alvarenga/  

Website: https://www.carlosalvarenga.com/ 

How much time are you spending every day on communication? How effective and efficient is your communication? We live in a swirl of communication – email, instant messages, text messages, and social media posts. And sometimes we even talk to each other! Geoff Weinstein says communication is a real “Edges of the Lean” frontier – one of the places where we can all leverage lean thinking to reduce waste and improve our lives. He joined me at The Edges of Lean to discuss lean communication – and by the way, he has gifts for you that you can download at http://geoffweinstein.com/gifts 

Geoff Weinstein:

Geoff Weinstein is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in serving the financial industry. He specializes in regulated industries where individuals struggle to articulate their ideas. Geoff's expertise lies in helping busy leaders align company culture with AI and digital transformation strategies. He works directly with clients to streamline broken communication processes, emphasizing the importance of clear, concise, and influential communication. Geoff's mission is to make lean communication the standard in workplace communication, enabling organizations to thrive in the fast-paced world of digital transformation.

KEY TOPICS IN THIS PODCAST:

00:01:00 - Geoff Weinstein's Background and Public Speaking

00:07:04 - The Mid-Office Communication Role

00:12:37 - Defining Lean Communication

00:15:21 - Communication as a Two-Way Process

00:18:14 - The Importance of Audience-Focused Communication

00:20:34 - Typical Communication Issues in Organizations

00:25:03 - The Evolution of Email Communication

00:27:20 - The Fear of Missing Out in Communication

00:30:23 - Crafting Effective Group Emails

00:35:15 - Example of a Power Paragraph

00:38:27 - Empathy in Communication

00:47:18 - Advice for Young Professionals

KEY TAKEAWAYS: 

• Lean communication involves stripping out stumbling blocks that prevent the recipient from understanding the message. 

CONNECT WITH Geoff Weinstein:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffweinstein 

Website: https://www.geoffweinstein.com/