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

This week's guest is Kerrie Jordan. Ron and Kerrie discussed upskilling, what it means to have a "flexible work schedule," improving morale, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote they like (2:58) Her background (4:54) An example (7:25) What the Voice of Manufacturing Worker Report is about (9:11) How we can improve morale (11:30) What "flexible work schedule" means in manufacturing (15:18) What the future of work looks like (18:03) The importance of upskilling (23:57) Kerrie's final words of wisdom (32:24) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Kerrie on LinkedIn Report Downloads Epicor 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/would you approach upskilling?

This week's guests are David Henkin and Thomas Bertels. David and Thomas talked about co-authoring their new book, "Fixing Work," how attitudes around work and the workplace have changed, the role of mastery, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote they like (2:58) Their backgrounds (4:01) How it works when two people write a book (6:35) What's "broken" about work (9:50) How the perception of work has changed over the generations (12:23) Their thoughts on working remotely vs. in an office (16:41) The potential benefits and dangers of AI (19:04) Their advice for designing and improving work (23:51) The role of mastery (27:40) Their parting thoughts (31:38) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 David on LinkedIn Thomas on LinkedIn Purpose Works Consulting on LinkedIn Thomas on Twitter Purpose Works on Twitter David on Instagram David on Facebook Purpose Works Consulting David's Website Fixing Work Designing Work Newsletter The MOJO Survey The Work Matters Podcast on YouTube The Work Matters Podcast on Apple Music The Work Matters Podcast on Spotify 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? In your opinion, how are attitudes around work and the workplace changing?

This week's guest is Gerald J. Leonard. Ron and Gerald covered a lot of interesting topics including Gerald's personal health journey, brain science, being a musician, and the power of affirmations. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Gerald's favorite quote (3:17) His background (4:06) How his bass playing helped his recovery (8:45) His relationship with lean (11:53) The brain science behind thinking subconsciously (16:08) How Gerald uses affirmations (22:02) "Drifting" AND having clear direction (27:29) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Free Resource for GA Podcast Listeners A Symphony of Choices Pre-Order Gerald's Website Gerald 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? Do you use affirmations?

This week's guest is Summer Davies. Ron and Summer discussed the importance of trust, working remotely, addressing micromanaging, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Summer's favorite quote (2:24) Her background (3:16) What to do when someone is hard to work with (5:03) Why you have to start with trust (9:23) A personal anecdote about the space shuttle (10:53) Her connection between middle and frontline managers (12:35) Whether an expert accountant or an expert manager is better (15:24) Addressing micromanaging (19:42) Working from home versus the office (23:13) Her thoughts on AI (26:31) The role of personality types (28:04) Turning around the disengaged workforce (29:31) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 LeaderShop Summer 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 micromanaged? How did you deal with it?

This week's guest is Elisabeth Swan. Ron and Elisabeth discussed her book, "Picture Yourself a Leader," the actions we take as leaders, building habits, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Elisabeth (2:24) Her background (4:45) About the drawings in her book (8:10) Why she wrote it (10:15) What it means to consider your actions (16:19) Speaking thoughtfully (21:42) Her final thoughts (39:20) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Picture Yourself a Leader on Amazon Elisabeth's Website Just-in-Time Cafe 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? Do you consider yourself a leader? Why or why not?

This week's guest is Lou Carter. Ron and Lou discussed positive work relationships, how blame can become toxic, and overall how to create a well-loved workplace. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Lou likes (4:12) His background (11:05) What makes for a horrible work relationship (16:25) Blaming yourself (19:47) An example of when Ron took accountability (24:10) How to create a well-loved workplace (26:47) What kind of love we seek (32:54) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Lou on LinkedIn Lou's Website Most Loved Workplace Best Practice Institute 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? Why else is blame dangerous?

This week's guest is Bruno Pesec. Ron and Bruno discussed journaling, practical tips for reflection, and the relationship between lean, change, and reflexivity. You won't want to skip this one! An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that Masaaki Imai shared with Bruno (2:57) His background (3:52) The relationship between lean, change, and reflexivity (5:03) How Bruno approaches journaling (14:12) The four territories of experience (19:50) Practical tips for reflection (22:39) How often he practices reflexivity (25:56) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Bruno on LinkedIn Bruno's Website Bruno on Twitter Bruno's Article on Reflexivity 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? Do you journal? Describe your approach.

Boris Kajos discusses working as a team, staying on task, and the role of communication. Topics include lean journey, Last Planner System, and involvement of the end customer.

This week's guest is Dr. Jennifer Nash. Ron and Jennifer discussed human leadership, her book "Be Human, Lead Human," working from home, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Jennifer likes (1:53) What she means by Human Leadership (4:27) Productivity during the Covid-19 pandemic (8:41) Why some jobs need to be in-person (10:31) What she suggests for those leaders (11:34) Jennifer's background (16:18) How the big companies are doing from her perspective (18:52) Understanding your employees (24:04) What practical thing leaders can try (28:45) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Be Human, Lead Human Jennifer's Website Jennifer on LinkedIn Jennifer's LinkedIn Newsletter Jennifer's Blog 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? Do you work from home? What are the benefits and drawbacks in your opinion?

This week's guest is Brent Weichers. Ron and Brent discussed OpEx assessments and how Brent and his team deliver genuine value and insight through them. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Brent (2:54) Brent's background (4:06) What an OpEx assessment is (5:46) The systems they use (6:57) Working through resistance and negativity (15:41) Why companies struggle after winning awards (20:30) What problem they're trying to solve (21:15) The cadence they work at (23:54) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Brent on LinkedIn GA 272 | The Role of Lean in Empowering People with Disabilities with Brent Weichers GA 304 | The Different Approaches to Training Leaders with Brent Weichers GA 369 | Developing an Internship Program with Brent Weichers GA 438 | The Importance of Understanding People with Brent Weichers 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 has your experience with OpEx assessments been?