How often do you pause to get a clearer view of your purpose and learn how your life experiences influence your leadership impact?Whether it’s in the moment to reflect on a recent situation or zooming out at a major milestone to see the bigger picture, reflection can be incredibly powerful.I’m hitting pause myself this week as I turn the big 5-0! I share two concepts that have helped me understand what it means to live a life of intention and purpose.First, the metaphor of warp and weft—a powerful way to understand the interconnection of the known and discovered elements of your life and see the patterns that emerge in your life’s fabric.Second, the deeper meaning of my guiding word—Intention. I explore how I’ve come to see that Intention = Heart + Direction® and the energetic vitality that uncovering your deeper purpose can have in both your personal life and leadership.If you are looking for ways to understand your purpose, reflect, to make more intentional choices, this episode is for you.Let’s explore how you too can lead with intention and can weave purpose into everything you do.YOU’LL LEARN:The importance of reflection to learn and adjust and to understand your purposeHow the weaving metaphor of warp and weft enhances self-discoveryWhy Intention = Heart + Direction® and how to set powerful intentions to align your daily actions with your heartThe Japanese word Kokorozashi (志) and how its deep meaning can be applied to leadership impactIMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes with links to other podcast episodes and resources referenced in today’s show: ChainOfLearning.com/36Check out my website for resources and working together: KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonFor additional inspiration and guidance around understanding your own warp and weft, read my book "Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn," along with the companion workbook: LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.comTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE: 00:40 Reflecting and celebrating turning 5002:50 The history of the warp and weft metaphor05:32 The difference between the warp and weft threads, the known and the discovered06:27 Questions to ask yourself to apply the warp and weft metaphor in your life09:32 The importance of “zooming out” to see to examine your own fabric of life11:01 Questions to ask yourself to reflect on your your past life experiences11:53 The relationship between the warp and weft metaphor with setting intention12:24 Discovering the richer meaning of Intention = Heart + Direction®13:36 The meaning of the two Japanese kanji symbols for intention14:58 How to apply the concept of Kokorozashi to find your leadership purpose16:54 Questions to ask yourself to embody your Kokorozashi to make a bigger impact17:21 The importance of reflection at the micro level18:35 Leveraging Kokorozashi to help take actions that are aligned with your purpose

What do you do when you’re stuck between two conflicting options? Deliver short-term results or take a long-term view?Focus on business outcomes or people development?Help by being the expert with the answer or a coach asking questions?For most of us, these competing choices are a source of conflict. We deal with uncertainty by asserting certainty that there are two distinct options to choose between.But what if there’s a way to embrace both?That’s why I invited Wendy Smith – award-winning psychologist and co-author of “Both/And Thinking” – to share her insights on how to make more creative, flexible, and impactful decisions in a world of competing demands.The most successful leaders and change agents have learned the power of navigating paradoxical tradeoffs and reframing problems to discover expansive solutions that didn’t initially seem possible. Tune in to learn how to shift from that “either/or” mindset and embrace a “both/and” approach to tackle tough decisions, unlock new possibilities, and lead with greater impact.YOU’LL LEARN:Can you really have it all? – The difference between an and/and vs both/and mindsetA three step process to overcome dilemmas to create a more sustainable outcomeHow to reframe a problem when faced with a seemingly paradoxical choiceThree different patterns of risk when you’re not able to shift from the either/or to the both/and thinkingThe benefits of being comfortable with the discomfort of learning something newABOUT MY GUEST:Wendy Smith is the co-author of “Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems,” an award-winning psychologist and professor at the Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. She’s spent her career studying paradoxes in leadership and on a mission to help individuals and organizations turn problems into possibilities. Wendy's passion lies in helping leaders tackle the complex challenges of interpersonal dynamics, team performance, organizational change, and innovation to transform their organizations and the world.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/35Connect with Wendy Smith: linkedin.com/in/wendykimsmithWendy’s book: bothandthinking.netCheck out my website for resources and working together: KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonTIMESTAMPS: 02:12 Misconception of both/and meaning02:44 And/and vs. both/and06:49 Balancing the roles of expert and coach 07:03 Balancing long-term innovation with immediate business needs08:06 3-step process of dealing with dilemma09:50 Expanding on and/and vs both/and12:03 How to approach paradoxical choices15:23 3 patterns of risk when you don’t shift to both/and thinking20:15 Getting comfortable with discomfort22:03 Embracing both/and mindset creates growth mindset24:36 Bringing both/and thinking to your personal life25:50 Both/and thinking at the organizational level27:44 Integrating technical process improvement with people development29:35 Enabling both/and thinking at the organizational level

Why do 70-90% of change initiatives fail?That’s a staggering statistic. In many cases, new leadership comes in, economic pressures rise, or the next "flavor of the month" initiative takes over. What’s happening and what can you do to counteract this trend?And if you are a change leader, lean practitioner, or continuous improvement coach, how do you avoid this becoming a career limiting move?To help us answer this, I invited Michael Bungay Stanier, leadership expert and bestselling author of six books, including The Coaching Habit and How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, to share his insights on leading personal and organizational change. Success in leading change comes not only from making structural shifts, but also from fostering curiosity and building strong human relationships.It’s time to shift the failure rate to a success rate for your vision. Focus your energy on amplifying your influence and getting the buy-in needed from key people to create meaningful transformation.YOU’LL LEARN: How to reverse the trend of failed change initiativesWhat to do when others don’t align with your vision for changeHow to create agency in the people you want to influenceTips on how to stay curious longer to make a strong impactThe importance of linking process improvement and people for lasting changeABOUT MY GUEST:Michael Bungay Stanier is at the forefront of shaping how organizations and leaders around the world succeed through focusing on curiosity and human relationships. He’s the author of six books, which between them have sold more than a million copies, and is best known for The Coaching Habit, the best-selling coaching book of this century.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/34Connect with Michael Bungay Stanier: linkedin.com/in/michaelbungaystanier Check out my website for resources and working together: KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonSign up for Michael’s newsletter and podcasts: MBS.worksDownload my FREE KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment : kbjanderson.com/katalyst TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE: 01:04 Reasons why change initiatives fail 04:56 Two foundational challenges for leading change07:38 The link between process improvement and integrating the people component13:23 Two strategies to stay curious longer and create lasting impact16:26 Tips to reverse the trend of failed change initiatives 20:20 Steps to embrace your influence and create the impact you want when leading change 22:31 Defining A and B list relationships24:04 Improving the quality of working relationships24:45 How to build BPR (best possible relationships) and keystone conversations to discuss how to best work together before diving into the work26:13 Addressing challenging conversations to clarify roles and expectations upfront29:55 One way to increase influence and build human connection for impactful conversations31:11 Michael’s new project in launching a new podcast

What questions are on your mind? That’s the question I posed to you last month when I asked you to “Ask me anything!”I received many great questions and, as promised, I’ve picked five to dive into during this episode. Asking the right questions is a fundamental part of leading transformational change. It’s not just about finding answers—it’s about understanding why we ask our questions and how we react when others ask us.It’s just as important to know the reasons behind why we’re asking. What’s the intention behind the question? What are we hoping to learn or uncover? This is where true understanding happens—both for the person asking and the one being asked.So the next time someone asks you a question, take a moment to ask a follow-up question. You both might be surprised with the answer!Now, it’s time to dive into your questions!YOU’LL LEARN:How to shift from a “command and control” leadership style to a culture focused on continuous improvementCommon obstacles organizations face when implementing transformational change and how to overcome themHow you can effectively balance the need for short-term results with the pursuit of long-term strategic goals while developing peopleInsights on transitioning from a lean leader in an organization to starting a consultancy businessHow continuous improvement teams can amplify their impact and link leadership coaching to driving real business outcomes What additional questions are on your mind? Head over to ChainOfLearning.com/ASK and ask me your questions so we can continue to explore them in future episodes of Chain of Learning.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/33Check out my website for resources and working together: KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonDownload the KATALYST™ self-assessment to fast-track your leadership impact: kbjanderson.com/Katalyst Download the free guide "3 Tips to Break The Telling Habit®” and discover how you can start asking better questions: kbjanderson.com/telling-habitBe the first to know about new episodes and other resources: kbjanderson.com/newsletterAsk your questions for future episodes: ChainOfLearning.com/Ask TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE: 0:39 How asking questions can spark a culture of continuous learning and improvement2:04 The impact of leaders defaulting to immediately answering questions4:28 QUESTION 1 : Moving from command and control to continuous improvement09:06 QUESTION 2 overcoming obstacles to transformational change16:14 QUESTION 3: How to balance short-term results with long-term goals while developing people19:00 QUESTION 4: Insights on transitioning from a corporate leader to starting a consultancy business30:35 QUESTION 5: How a continuous improvement team within an organization increase and demonstrate impact

Is your organization stuck in a constant state of crisis, where everything feels like an urgent, must-fix-now situation?As a leader, cutting through that noise is key to prioritizing and aligning your team’s efforts to focus on what really matters.In this episode, Isaac Mitchell, VP of Operational Excellence at Ballad Health System, shares his experience leading through Hurricane Helene and how he's fostering an organizational culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.Isaac shares how his leadership journey—from engineer at Toyota to executive in healthcare—shaped his approach to real crises. He discusses how understanding purpose—his own, his team’s, and the organization’s—helps him distinguish between what’s urgent and what’s truly important.By focusing on what matters, you can create the impact you’re striving for. To me, that’s what living with intention is—knowing your purpose and aligning your actions to make it happen.YOU’LL LEARN:How to distinguish between true crises and perceived urgencyThe importance of aligning organizational and personal purpose to drive strategic successA framework for where to spend your time as a leader to build a high-performing organizationHow to demonstrate respect for people by encouraging a personal understanding of purpose and owning the thinking process, not the answersPractical tips for building a people-centered culture that drives sustainable growthIn our conversation about intention and goals, Isaac asks about my next big goal—listen for the big reveal, never shared publicly until now! I’d love to hear your thoughts.ABOUT MY GUEST:Isaac Mitchell is an experienced strategy deployment executive and is currently a Vice President at Ballad Health and a guest lecturer at the University of Tennessee’s Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/32Connect with Isaac Mitchell: linkedin.com/in/isaacmitchellJoin Isaac’s Book Clubs: Lean Book Club and Lean Coffee Club Check out my website for resources and working together: KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonJoin me on my Japan Study Trip leadership program: KBJAnderson.com/JapanTripLearn about the warp and weft metaphor in my book: Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn and companion workbookTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE: 3:08 Navigating crises during Hurricane Helene through community and shared purpose9:00 True crises vs. perceived urgency 10:58 Avoid falling into the "expert trap" during crises14:10 Respecting people’s development and using Gemba16:19 How to use daruma dolls in goal setting20:57 Katie’s BIG new goal reveal22:25 Using a hanko when coaching for  problem solving30:36 Isaac’s North Star for the year and Japan Study Trip lessons32:11 How Gemba helps leaders prioritize what's essential36:23 Setting big goals and using them to push for growth 41:34 Value of cultural and business learning45:54 The warp and weft metaphor for goal settingSpaces still available for the May 2025 Japan Study Trip - apply now!

It’s Chain of Learning’s first anniversary this month! And it’s the time of year for gratitude and thanks – and for reflection. Thank you for listening and for being part of this Chain of Learning that we are growing together. To mark this podcast milestone, I want to practice what I talk about on nearly every episode – reflection – as I believe it IS the foundation of learning and impact.In this episode, I share my reflections from the Chain of Learning’s first year and walk  you through the process I use and teach for reflection – so you can apply this same reflection process to whatever you are working on, both professionally and personally. Whether you’re leading teams, fostering innovation, or driving continuous improvement – or simply looking to take the next step forward in your life – purposeful reflection is the foundation for your ultimate success.YOU’LL LEARN:The meaning of the Japanese word Hansei – self-reflection – and the risk if you get caught more in doing and don’t take time to reflect How you can use the Plan-Do-Study-Adjust (PDSA) cycle to improve and why I suggest we call it the Study-Adjust-Plan-Do (SAPD) cycleThe 3 ways to reflect with intention even while short on timeThe backstory to how this podcast started and personal reflections of what I’ve learned and adjusted over producing 31 episodesThe questions to ask yourself for meaningful reflectionI invite you to embed reflection into your practice — not just as a one-time exercise but as a regular habit – that guides you toward excellence. Thanks for the opportunity to grow and strengthen our Chain of Learning together. Here’s to the journey of growth and another year of reflections ahead!IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes and links: ChainOfLearning.com/31Comment and share your process for reflection on LinkedIn hereCheck out my website: KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonGet my book “Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn” – LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.comTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE: 2:37 The meaning of the Japanese word Hansei 4:11 The 5 steps to applying Hansei and using the (SAPD) cycle5:28 Reflection Process 1: immediate self reflection after an event, even if you’re short on time6:27 Reflection Process 2: reflect with others or in a group setting to get feedback and share ideas8:05 Reflection Process 3: reflect over time by looking back9:38 Backstory of how the Chain of Learning podcast started12:37 Process launching the podcast and the challenges and lessons learned18:53 Personal growth and what I have learned over time since starting the podcast31:47 Questions to ask yourself to add reflection in your daily, monthly and yearly process31:35 Share your process for reflection on LinkedIn or via email

Has your organization been making progress on its continuous improvement journey, only to find things starting to stall?Is your team hesitant to share ideas, or are your lean or process improvement initiatives viewed mainly as cost-cutting measures rather than a comprehensive strategy for long-term success?Perhaps you've been focusing on just one side of the path of excellence—improvement processes and tools—while overlooking a critical component: respect for people.In this episode, Stephanie Bursek, Director of Human Resources at TrippNT, shares how her company's made a leap forward in their lean transformation by leading with the heart to focus on people and joy.By going beyond process improvement tools to deeply focusing on people first, Stephanie and her executive team have fostered greater collaboration, trust, and growth, resulting in a thriving, engaged workplace with more problem-solving and innovation.Tune in to learn how embedding respect for people into your organization’s foundation can drive sustainable cultural transformation and elevate both business results and employee engagement.YOU’LL LEARN:How to create balance in your organization between the pillars of continuous improvement and respect for peopleThe importance of navigating tension between getting results and allowing time for your team to grow on the path towards achieving themWhy performance management should be a two-way street that includes upward feedback for continuous learning and alignmentHow embedding respect for people and psychological safety into your organization can lead to improved results and enhance employee experiencesThe benefits of a people-centered culture for elevating both fulfillment and performanceABOUT MY GUEST:Stephanie is a seasoned Human Resources executive with a passion for how to create a thriving organizational culture. As the Director for Human Resources at TrippNT, a family-owned manufacturing company based in the U.S., she's focused on building a unique organizational culture by uniting the pillars of continuous improvement and respect for people.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/30Connect with Stephanie Bursek: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-bursek-sphr-0a7b801Check out my website: KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonMy Japan Study Trip leadership program: KBJAnderson.com/japantripTIMESTAMPS: 04:35 Stephanie’s realization of the missing element in her organization08:10 The importance of a people-first approach to achieve results & improvements12:11 The impact of the Collaborative Model for increasing productivity14:15 The benefits of a psychologically safe environment that fosters respect & leads to better business results19:03 The provocative quote from “Tree Ring Management” that always get jaw drops20:27 How the leadership team at TrippNT models behavior that creates an engaging environment24:10 Examples of a people-entered environment created through humility & resilience

Do you ever feel like you're stuck between chaos and bureaucracy, unable to break free from the status quo?You are probably facing a common challenge that other leaders and change practitioners experience: how to navigate uncertainty while trying to drive innovation and agility in your organization.In this episode, Atif Rafiq, seasoned C-suite executive and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of “Decision Sprint” shares what he’s learned about leading through ambiguity to drive digital and cultural transformations at global companies like Amazon, McDonald’s, and MGM Resorts.Atif breaks down the Decision Sprint framework to help you bring clarity into the unknown by moving problem-solving upstream, enabling you and your teams to make faster, smarter decisions that drive meaningful change and innovation.Uncertainty IS what most organizations are facing today. Relying on outdated leadership models and approaches to problem-solving keeps you trapped facing the same issues year after year without real progress. Tune into this episode and gain insights how you can break free from this cycle and embrace new approaches to navigate ambiguity and empower you to innovate and lead by making decisions faster, smarter, and better.YOU’LL LEARN:The difference between boring problems vs. creative problems and how to bring authentic interest to solving the “boring problems” in your organizationThe risk in relying solely on “known” solutions instead of exploring innovative ways to solve problemsWhy organizations need to start thinking more upstream rather than focusing on what’s in front of themWhat the Decision Sprint Model is and how you can use it to get ahead of problems and move problem-solving upstreamThe difference between bureaucracy and chaos and how to avoid being stuck between the twoEnter for chance to win a signed copy of  "Decision Sprint".  Register by November 8th:  ChainOfLearning.com/29 or https://kbjanderson.com/giveaways/decision-sprint/ABOUT MY GUEST:Atif Rafiq has reshaped industries and generated billions in revenue for some of the world's leading companies including McDonald’s, Volvo, MGM Resorts, Amazon, Yahoo!, and AOL. He's the CEO of Ritual and the Wall Street bestselling author of "Decision Sprint: The new way to Innovate into the Unknown and move from Strategy into Action." IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/29Connect with Atif Rafiq: www.linkedin.com/in/atif1/ Order your copy of “Decision Sprint” by Atif Rafiq: www.decisionsprint.com/book  Check out my website: KBJAnderson.com/Follow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE: [2:24] Atif’s massive career shift and the challenge of changing the culture of a large established organization[5:51] The risk of staying in a safe zone rather than navigating through ambiguity[7:52] Boring problems versus creative problems and an example of the importance of taking interest in a “boring” problem[14:14] The Decision Sprint Model and how it helps move thinking and problem solving upstream[16:21] The role of experimentation in problem solving and the benefits of collaboration to gain insights[20:10] Concept of alignment and how it connects exploration and decision making[25:57] Difference between bureaucracy and chaos [29:11] Upstream and downstream work and creating different systems for managing both 

Do you ever feel stuck as a leader? It may seem like no matter how many problems you solve or tools you implement, you're still not seeing progress toward a sustainable organizational culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.Maybe you have been leading change the wrong way.In this episode, Cindy Hinds shares what she’s learned from 25 years of experience about how to lead organizational change the right way. She highlights what she has learned from her journey from being a technical expert to becoming a transformational change leader within a global organization who is equipping leaders at all levels to solve problems and innovating to drive business performance.Transformational leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers. Connect with your purpose, step away from being the "doer," and empower others so that you – and they – can see better results.YOU’LL LEARN:How to implement transformational leadership practices that create lasting organizational change, not just short-term resultsThe importance of using simple terms instead of technical jargon to help get buy-in and help others understand the problems they need to solveStrategies to manage burnout by surrounding yourself with a supportive community and focusing on what truly mattersHow to bring your whole self to the workplace to fulfill your complete purpose and build trust within the organizationThe benefits of the maturity model to help leaders close the gap between their current condition and the results they want to achieveABOUT MY GUEST:Cindy Hinds is the Global Director of Enterprise Excellence at A.O. Smith, manufacturing company with sites based across North America, Asia and Europe, where she is responsible for architecting A.O. Smith’s journey to create a culture of highly engaged people who are aligned in solving problems and innovating to continuously improve.IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/28Connect with Cindy Hinds: www.linkedin.com/in/cindyhindsMy website: KBJAnderson.com/Download the Change KATALYST™  Self–Assessment to discover the 8 competencies you must master to become a transformational change leader: KBJAnderson.com/KATALYSTFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE: [5:13] Leading the right way and asking questions for a continuous improvement culture[8:12] Finding gaps through Gemba to transform your approach as a leader[11:18] Franklin Covey’s Speed of Trust Curriculum to connect behaviors to business outcomes[15:06] Using “Nemawashi” to prepare for future actions or business decisions[18:30] Focusing on a people-centric culture to avoid conflicting values[21:16] Real-life examples of implementing sustainable practices for continuous improvement[24:31] The maturity model to understand your current condition and ideal state

Are your meetings feeling stagnant? Discover how to facilitate with confidence and drive real results. Learn three essential practices to enhance your facilitation skills and avoid common pitfalls. Explore how to create engaging agendas that align with group goals and empower teams to make impactful decisions. Whether guiding leaders or your own team, these insights will help you establish credibility and motivate participants for success.