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

This week’s guest is Dr. Adil Dalal. Ron and Adil discussed the rapid evolution of AI and technology, how it affects lean and operational excellence, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Adil likes (2:51) His background (3:13) His thoughts on lean and AI (8:13) AI and value stream maps (11:44) What operational excellence will look like in the future (18:20) The transformation Adil is most proud of (29:21) His final words of wisdom (40:25) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Adil on LinkedIn Adil’s Website 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 do you envision the future of lean and operational excellence in terms of technology and AI?

This week’s guest is Brian DeVries. Ron and Brian discussed Brian’s new book “The Big Thinking of a Small Knight,” the roles storytelling and leadership play in continuous improvement, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Brian likes (2:39) What to do when someone is struggling (4:18) His background (6:01) The roles leadership and storytelling play in continuous improvement (9:55) About his book (13:29) His “knight’s hat” (18:39) The biggest takeaway from the book (19:22) What Brian learned from writing it (20:24) The role his kids played in writing the book (21:38) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 222 | How to Sustain Improvements with Brian DeVries Brian on LinkedIn The Big Thinking of a Small Knight 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 else can storytelling be used in continuous improvement?

This week’s guest is Eric Recker. Ron and Eric discussed Eric’s mental health struggles, how he handled having panic attacks, “winning the now,” and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Eric likes (3:21) Eric’s background (4:08) His burnout journey (5:51) How Eric handled his panic attacks (14:53) How he “wins the now” (26:07) What Eric is excited about (29:50) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Eric’s Website Eric on LinkedIn Eric on Facebook Eric on Instagram GA 511 | Winning the Now with Eric Recker 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 dealt with burnout?

This week’s guest is Patrick Adams. Ron and Patrick had an extremely profound conversation about Patrick’s childhood, the personal transformation he’s gone through, and how he now helps others do the same. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Patrick likes (3:10) His background (4:34) What it means to equip and empower people for positive change (6:24) His personal transformation (8:25) Patrick’s high school years (15:49) Why gratitude matters to him (22:38) The role faith has played in his transformation (25:15) How involved he is with Remembrance Ranch today (31:17) His advice for parents with struggling teens (34:33) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Patrick’s Website Patrick on LinkedIn Remembrance Ranch GA 354 | Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap 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 undergone a significant personal transformation?

This week’s guest is Tony Hayes. Ron and Tony discussed the meaning behind authentic leadership, the importance of humility and vulnerability, dealing with poor leadership, and more. MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Tony likes (2:33) His background (3:19) What “Authentic Leadership” means (5:05) Handling not having the answers (7:18) What humility really means (10:48) Why vulnerability is scary for a leader (13:45) Misconceptions about leadership (15:45) Tony’s advice for when you’re dealing with bad leadership (17:50) Practical examples of the positive impacts of Respect for People (25:10) Tony’s final words of wisdom (31:13) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Tony 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 are some misconceptions you’ve heard or noticed about leadership?

This week’s guest is Christopher Lieb. Ron and Chris discussed Chris’s transition from practicing continuous improvement at a large company to a startup, the mentality he likes to adopt, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The “mentality” Chris likes (2:45) What happens when someone has a bad attitude or doesn’t care (4:49) His background (5:59) Using SPC and other tools in a startup environment (11:52) The fact that no one else had continuous improvement knowledge (14:39) How it’s impacted the supply chain (18:35) How Chris avoided being the “annoying” guy (21:51) His final words of wisdom (30:48) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Christopher 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? Have you practiced continuous improvement at different sized organizations?

This week’s guest is Tanner McClure. Ron and Tanner discussed Tanner’s introduction to lean, dealing with resistance from management and supervisors, the “paper doll” tool, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote that inspires Tanner (2:53) Tanner’s background (3:50) How his background affected his introduction to lean (6:29) Dealing with resistance from management or from supervisors (7:52) How to reassure employees who are new to lean (13:31) The “paper doll” tool (19:34) Tanner’s advice for those just getting started (25:57) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Tanner on LinkedIn Tanner McClure Consulting 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? Have you ever been met with resistance from management or supervisors? How did you handle it?

This week’s guest is Jackey Lin. Ron and Jackey discussed Jackey’s diverse career background, deploying operational excellence on a global scale, overcoming communication barriers, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Jackey’s favorite quote (2:43) His background (4:52) Initiating operational excellence on a global scale (7:36) Jackey’s advice on dealing with resistance (15:55) Examples of how they communicate (21:35) How these improvements lead to operational results (24:34) What Jackey is most proud of (29:45) His final words of wisdom (34:03) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Jackey 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? Have you ever worked on continuous improvement in multiple countries?

This week’s guest is Steven Langer. Ron and Steven discussed what it means to optimize workplace culture, what a strong organizational culture looks like, dealing with burnout, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Steven likes (2:51) His background (3:42) What he means by “healthy” (5:15) How to know whether you’re winning or losing (7:07) How the size of the company factors in (9:40) What a strong organizational culture looks like (11:18) Balancing taking care of people with revenue (12:57) His experience with burnout (17:12) How to tell when you’re burnt out (19:23) Steven’s final words of wisdom (25:10) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Steven’s Website Steven 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? Have you ever suffered from burnout? How did you remedy it?

This week’s guest is Craig Coyle. Ron and Craig discussed Craig’s experience as an Apache pilot, what employee engagement is and isn’t, why new leaders quit, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Craig’s favorite quote (2:37) His background (3:26) The first time Craig flew an Apache on his own (7:01) Why employee engagement is critical (8:40) What engagement looks like (12:29) Craig’s advice he gives to senior leaders (17:26) Why new leaders quit (21:21) His advice for finding community (27:25) Mentorship versus community or fellowship (30:32) Empowering people on the frontlines (31:45) What Craig would recommend to people who are struggling (35:35) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Craig on LinkedIn Operation Lead 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 is employee engagement and what is it not?