Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership GA 607 | Improving Your Internal Operating System with Michelle Troseth and Tracy Christopherson
Nov 20, 2025
Michelle Troseth, a nurse and healthcare leader who coaches leaders to prevent burnout, and Tracy Christopherson, a healthcare transformation leader and polarity intelligence co-developer, discuss the concept of an internal operating system. They talk about burnout versus boredom, how leaders self-sabotage, personal alignment, and practical steps to upgrade one’s internal operating system.
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Internal Operating System Drives Behavior
- An internal operating system is your identity, beliefs, and values that drive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
- If your OS is based on past learning it will limit future results until you realign it with intended outcomes.
Begin With Awareness And Reframe Beliefs
- Start with awareness by asking quality questions about the beliefs and identity driving your behavior.
- Replace limiting beliefs with empowering alternatives and repeat the new story until it sticks.
Protect Strategic Time From Reactivity
- Stop defaulting to reactive mode: set boundaries and prioritize strategic work over urgent distractions.
- Practice pausing so you can coach rather than constantly fixing or responding to every notification.
