Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership

In this installment, Joel Hugghins, a Lean and performance consultant with 30 years of experience, shares insights about implementing Lean practices in various industries. He tackles the challenges of CAVE (constantly against virtually everything) people and emphasizes the importance of treating employee ideas as intellectual property. Joel discusses the need for balance between vision, culture, and skills for sustainable Lean adoption. He expresses optimism for innovation and collaboration, highlighting how creativity can emerge from empowering employees.

This week we’re ringing in the New Year with Billy Taylor. Ron and Billy discussed strategy and KPAs, hidden truths, clarity, being hard on the process, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Billy likes (3:45) Strategy and KPAs (6:28) Billy’s thoughts on hidden truths (9:32) How clarity breaks down (12:23) Being hard on the process, easy on the people (16:18) Billy’s “Skool of Execution” (20:42) His advice for listeners (22:37) Billy’s take on AI (26:30) His final words of wisdom (28:27) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Billy on LinkedIn GA 258 | Creating a Common Meaning GA 347 | Leveraging Deliberate Practice GA 352 | Defining, Executing, and Aligning Winning GA 450 | Governing the Standard with Billy Taylor Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? How does clarity break down, in your opinion?

This week, we’re sharing a special Christmas episode featuring insights from the Gemba Academy team. Each individual answered the question: What does continuous improvement mean to you in your own life? An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The format of this episode (0:45) A few words from Greg (1:32) A few words from Tomii (4:53) A few words from Alen (6:36) A few words from Jennifer (8:05) A few words from Ricky (9:09) A few words from Brita (11:47) A few words from Michael (13:28) A few final words from Ron (14:42) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What does continuous improvement mean to you in your own life?

This week’s guest is Alexandra Suchman. Ron and Alexandra discussed the concept of relational waste, playing games in continuous improvement, the role of personality differences, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Alexandra’s favorite quote (2:33) Her background (3:21) Her thoughts on playing games in continuous improvement (5:39) All about relational waste (8:02) How personality differences factor in (10:56) A time when a game didn’t work out (17:10) Alexandra’s go-to games for those just getting started (18:51) Her advice for incorporating games (20:46) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Alexandra on LinkedIn Barometer XP Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Have you ever played games in a continuous improvement setting? What kinds of games?

This week’s guests are Heather Underwood and Adam Marsland. Ron, Heather, and Adam discussed how lean is being applied in legal settings, the status quo when it comes to AI, what the future might look like, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quotes that inspire Heather and Adam (3:44) Their backgrounds (5:37) The role of lean (7:36) Examples of using lean in a legal setting (10:20) What they’re learning (13:01) The future of AI and its effect on humanity (17:38) Challenges as it relates to lean and AI (19:14) What things will look like in five years (24:52) The adoption of lean in the legal industry (27:01) Moving from control to curiosity (29:10) Their final words of wisdom (33:33) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Adam on LinkedIn Heather on LinkedIn GA 326 | Lean and Law in the UK with Adam Marsland GA 422 | Getting Lean Buy-In with Adam Marsland Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Are you concerned for the future in regards to AI? Why or why not?

Caleb Wilczynski, a design and manufacturing engineer recently certified as a Master Black Belt, shares his journey through continuous improvement and OEE implementation. He discusses transforming neglected machines which saved his company significant costs. Caleb emphasizes the importance of using data to understand performance metrics rather than placing blame. He also delves into the challenges of driving change within an organization, all while staying engaged on the factory floor and planning to share his insights widely. Expect insights on DMADV and the value of experimentation!

This week’s guest is Gemba Academy Senior Coach and Instructor Ricky Banks. Ron and Ricky discussed what it means to lead without authority, working with incarcerated individuals, the importance of building relationships, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Ricky’s background (3:17) What “leading without authority” means to him (4:15) Whether it’s more or less important today (6:10) Building trust and credibility (7:47) An example of a spectacular leader (10:49) How it feels working with incarcerated individuals (15:02) How these skills work in the coaching context (18:24) The importance of relationships (22:27) The role of likeability (23:32) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Ricky on LinkedIn Ministry Manna Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What does the phrase “leading without authority” mean to you?

This week’s guests are Michelle Troseth and Tracy Christopherson. Ron, Michelle, and Tracy discussed the concept of an internal operating system, dealing with both burnout and boredom, the importance of personal alignment, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Michelle and Tracy’s favorite quotes (3:12) Their backgrounds (4:37) Characterizing burnout (6:03) Dealing with boredom (9:27) About the “internal operating system” (11:24) How to prevent leaders from self-sabotaging (16:22) “Upgrading” your operating system (20:52) The importance of personal alignment (24:23) An example anecdote (26:52) How that kind of impact makes them feel (30:56) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Tracy on LinkedIn Michelle on LinkedIn Missing Logic Burnout Proof Leadership Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What about the concept of an internal operating system can you relate to?

This week’s guest is Nick Klein. Ron and Nick discussed how Nick applies lean at his organization, the challenges they’re facing, and why quick improvements like cleaning up your desktop do more than you think. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Nick likes (2:37) Nick’s background (3:34) His journey (5:52) An example improvement (8:30) The size of their organization (10:08) The challenges they’re facing (13:57) A breakthrough moment (17:08) One of Nick’s favorite mistakes (19:20) Advice for anyone who is new to lean (22:55) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Nick on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What’s a quick fix you could do today to make your life easier?

This week features Katie Anderson, a Shingo Award-winning author and leadership coach renowned for her expertise in continuous improvement. She dives into her Katalyst framework and its impact on organizational learning. Katie reflects on her growth since publishing her book and shares insights on the 'doer trap' that hinders organizations. Her observations from immersive trips to Japan reveal technological advances, while her thoughts on AI emphasize the need for human skills. Tune in for her valuable final advice on leadership development!