Artificial Intelligence Podcast: ChatGPT, Claude, Midjourney and all other AI Tools

Can AI Learn to be Lean with Chad Bareither

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Jan 5, 2026

Chad Bareither, founder of Bareither Group and a lean operations expert, discusses the synergy between AI and lean principles. He warns that AI can amplify chaos if misused, urging businesses to clearly define goals before deployment. Chad emphasizes the importance of prioritizing meaningful work over mere efficiency and cautions against accumulating tools that don't solve specific problems. With insights on treating AI as a team member, he advocates for disciplined measurement to ensure AI genuinely enhances value and productivity.

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INSIGHT

AI Amplifies Existing Processes

AI amplifies existing behaviors: if your process is broken, AI just makes the break faster and louder.
Chad Bareither urges slowing down, focusing on fewer things, and understanding the real problem before automating.

ADVICE

Define Why And Measure Results First

Start with why: define what you want the tool to accomplish and how you will measure success before deploying AI.
Treat any AI solution like a team member: define its role, deliverables, and success metrics up front.

ADVICE

Use PDCA For AI Deployments

Use the PDCA cycle: plan, do, check, act when implementing AI to avoid set-and-forget mistakes.
Check outputs and results, then iterate rather than launching many unmeasured automations.

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Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we dive into the powerful intersection of AI and lean operations with our special guest, Chad Bareither, founder of Bareither Group and expert in operational excellence, continuous improvement, and lean thinking.

Chad brings a grounded, real-world perspective from years of working with manufacturing and utility companies. Together, he and Jonathan unpack a critical question for modern businesses:

Is AI actually making you more efficient—or are you just doing the wrong things faster?

They explore how easy access to AI tools can tempt leaders into “more, more, more”: more posts, more tools, more projects, more data. But without clear goals and a solid process, AI becomes an accelerant for chaos instead of a driver of meaningful results.

Chad explains how applying lean principles—clarity of purpose, focus on value, and disciplined measurement—can help business owners deploy AI intentionally, not emotionally. Instead of throwing AI at every problem, he shows how to treat AI like a team member: define its role, set expectations, and measure outcomes.

From manufacturing lines and data lakes to social media strategies and boutique consulting practices, this episode is a masterclass in doing less, better—and making sure AI serves your business instead of overwhelming it.

Notable Quotes:

"There's nothing more wasteful than doing efficiently what should not be done at all." – [Paraphrasing Peter Drucker, cited by Chad Bareither]
"AI is just an accelerant. If you have a bad process, you’re just going to do it faster." – [Jonathan Green]
"I like to think about any type of AI solution you're putting in as a team member. What is the role of that team member, and how will I measure whether or not it's being successful?" – [Chad Bareither]
"You have a presence, but you don't have a following." – [Chad Bareither]
"The more viral something is, the less likely it is to appeal to your ideal customer." – [Jonathan Green]
"What’s really going to eliminate your business is not AI in itself. It’s bad scoping and weak process." – [Chad Bareither]
"We’re keeping people busy generating AI that’s generating a bunch of stuff—and this ‘more’ is now just amplified." – [Chad Bareither]

Connect with Chad Bareither:

Website: https://www.bareithergroup.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadbareither/

Chad and Jonathan reveal how less but better thinking, combined with smart AI deployment, can help small and medium-sized businesses avoid costly mistakes, stay focused on what matters, and build operations that scale sustainably.

If you’re interested in how AI can support lean, focused, and truly effective business operations, this episode is a must-listen!

Connect with Jonathan Green

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