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

This week’s guest is John Knotts. Ron and John, a Senior Coach at Gemba Academy, discussed cultural alignment in continuous improvement, the key differences between the various Six Sigma belts, how continuous improvement leads to real savings, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote John likes (2:25) His background (3:32) Getting tangible results (6:58) How continuous improvement adds real financial value (10:15) The key differences between the Six Sigma belts (14:09) The importance of understanding different documents (17:33) About cultural alignment (20:52) Thinking beyond belts (23:43) John’s parting thoughts (27:18) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 John 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? How would you explain the difference between Six Sigma belts?

This week’s guests are Kirsten Gallagher and Adam Lawrence. Ron, Kirsten, and Adam discussed Kirsten and Adam’s individual backgrounds, what it means to be a “kaizen ninja,” how to handle reluctant participants, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quotes Kirsten and Adam like (2:30) Kirsten’s background (3:26) Adam’s background (6:17) What the “kaizen ninja” concept means (8:00) Their experiences with people reluctant to participate (10:14) Adam’s anecdote about making a personal impact (20:01) What’s unique about each of their styles (22:05) Their final words of wisdom (27:28) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Kirsten on LinkedIn Adam on LinkedIn Process Improvement Partners on LinkedIn Adam’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? What does being a “kaizen ninja” mean to you?

This week’s guest is Philipp Schett. Ron and Philipp discussed OKRs, accountability, making structural changes, balancing transparency and autonomy, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quotes Philipp likes (2:02) What accountability looks like (6:52) About OKRs (10:23) How it could be beneficial in accountability (11:48) The structural changes they’ve made that have made an impact (17:58) Incorporating accountability whilst preventing surveillance culture (22:55) Balancing transparency and autonomy (28:35) Philipp’s parting thoughts (31:22) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Philipp 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 used OKRs?

This week’s guest is Mike Schoenberger. Ron and Mike discussed the concept of “Radical Love Leadership,” improving the human connection at work, his company Sunco’s values, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Mike likes (2:12) His background (2:44) Mike’s work (4:25) What he means by “Radical Love” leadership (6:36) Their values and their culture (9:53) Improving the human connection (12:25) Advice for leaders who want to improve their organization (22:55) Whose job it is to form the company culture (25:48) Mike’s final words of advice (28:36) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Mike on LinkedIn Mike’s Website Sunco 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 do we improve human connection in the workplace?

This week’s guest is Alen Ganic. Ron and Alen discussed how Alen simplifies complicated topics, the powers of lean beyond manufacturing, dealing with “CAVE” people, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Alen likes (2:20) His background (3:15) How Alen explains complicated things (11:50) How he handles CAVE people (15:13) Why people come back (21:47) How lean is being applied beyond manufacturing (25:48) Alen’s advice and final words of wisdom (29:35) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 521 | Celebrating Quick Wins GA 544 | Flow Efficiency vs. Resource Efficiency GA 566 | Managing With Your Eyes  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 other misconceptions about lean?

This week’s guest is Andy Crocker. Ron and Andy discussed Andy’s book, “The Unconditionals,” what it was like working on a project for NASA, the importance of stability, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Andy likes (3:18) His background (4:27) Competing for a NASA project (6:19) How he felt after it ended (10:08) The key takeaways (11:50) Living conditionally vs. unconditionally (13:50) What it means to “love” unconditionally (16:29) Comparing and contrasting unconditional values and leadership (21:54) The importance of stability (27:12) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 The Unconditionals Andy’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 “love” unconditionally in a work environment? What does that look like?

This week’s guest is James Turk. Ron and James discussed James’ book “The Giving Game,” choosing between leadership styles, dealing with personality conflicts, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote James likes (2:37) His background (3:36) Why he wrote the book (6:59) The human side of leadership (8:11) Dealing with personality conflicts (15:55) Strategies for leadership instead of “command and control” (18:47) James’s parting thoughts (27:02) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Drive by Daniel Pink The Giving Game by James Turk The Turk Group James 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 leadership style do you resonate with the most?

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?