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

This week's guest is Billy Taylor. We caught up with Billy at the recent AME conference in Dallas, where he and Ron discussed his book The Winning Link and the concept of governance. Billy also shared some powerful anecdotes we think you'll enjoy. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Billy likes (1:56) His background (2:41) What the transition was like (5:04) About his book The Winning Link (8:40) Deliberate clarity (10:44) Cultivating ownership (14:14) Executing winning (16:59) A story about driving change (18:41) The importance of governance (21:09) An anecdote about Jimmy Johnson and Troy Aikman (27:56) Why Billy wrote his book (29:04) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Billy on LinkedIn The Winning Link 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 governance mean to you?

This week's guest is Mike Thelen. Ron and Mike caught up at the recent AME conference in Dallas, where they discussed company culture, the role of docility, and why "firefighters" get promoted instead of leaders.  An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Mike (1:55) Mike's background (3:42) What it takes to change your company culture (8:13) Why it's so difficult (11:54) Breaking away from a culture of firefighting (15:40) The role of docility (29:02) Asking the right questions (30:41) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Mike 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 your thoughts on docility? What does it mean to be docile?

This week's guest is Gregory MacDougall. Gregory's interview is the first we're sharing from the recent AME Conference in Dallas. Gregory explained how he chooses keynote speakers, what his health journey has taught him, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Gregory (2:19) Gregory's background (3:48) The process of selecting keynote speakers (7:39) His health journey (11:55) How people react when they see him now (21:46) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Gregory 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? Share a story about personal growth.

This week's guest is Trond Undheim. Ron and Trond discussed Trond's book Augmented Lean, and his thoughts on automation and technology. He and Ron also each shared their stance on social media and its effects on humanity. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Trond likes (2:37) Trond's background and what he's been up to (3:43) His background pertaining to lean (9:38) About Augmented Lean (12:32) His take on Toyota (17:47) Some examples (24:13) Doing things faster not better (32:32) His approach to automation (36:13) His opinion of the impact of social media on humanity (41:18) Ron's take on social media (44:44) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Augmented Lean Trond on LinkedIn What Do You Think? What's your take on social media? Is it harmful, beneficial, or both?

This week's guest is Alex Judd. Alex explained his growth-oriented approach to leadership and coaching, and even gave Ron some parenting advice. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Alex likes (3:31) Alex's background (8:05) The services they provide (10:41) What leadership means to Alex (11:41) An anecdote about "here" (16:36) What "there" means in the context of leadership (20:02) What to do when you don't know where to go (23:32) Alex's parenting advice (32:10) What good growth looks like (39:53) Dealing with people who have different energy (45:05) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Alex on LinkedIn Path for Growth What Do You Think?What does leadership mean to you?

This week's guest is Paul Stamper. Paul shared how lean has helped Ventura County improve its processes and how continuous improvement can bring positive change to government and service environments in general. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Paul (2:32) Paul's background (3:38) His favorite philosopher (8:39) About Ventura County's lean journey (9:17) The makeup of Ventura County (16:32) How Lean and Six Sigma have made it to the town level (17:08) Collaborating with other areas (19:26) An example (23:13) The pandemic response (28:38) Paul's advice (32:36) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 AME Conference - Use Promo Code Gemba15 for 15% off Paul on LinkedIn Paul on Twitter County of Ventura - Service Excellence What Do You Think? How else could lean be helpful in government?

This week's guest is Patrick Dippel. Ron and Patrick talked about volatility and how leaders and organizations everywhere can deal with uncertain times. Patrick also explained the merits of on-demand labor and how his website Veryable works. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes Patrick likes (3:58) His background (5:24) About his time at GE (7:54) What "volatility" means (10:55) Pat's thoughts on the "Great Resignation" (13:47) How to survive and thrive in volatile times (16:34) About on-demand labor and how Veryable works (18:35) What the operator experience is like on Veryable (23:26) The parallels between JIT and on-demand labor (26:52) Advice for those dealing with volatility and uncertainty (29:43) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 AME Conference - Use Promo Code Gemba15 for 15% off Patrick on LinkedIn Patrick's Blog Veryable Veryable on LinkedIn Veryable on YouTube Veryable on Twitter What Do You Think? How do you deal with volatility?

This week's guest is Jamie Dixon. Ron and Jamie talked all about the power of storytelling, and how it's done correctly. Jamie also specifically explained what the three ingredients of stories are.  An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Jamie likes (2:30) His background (3:34) His passion for storytelling (6:12) An example about a coffee company (8:59) The role that personality or temperament plays (16:50) Teaching someone storytelling (20:48) The "What's Your Evening Story?" challenge (24:50) The three ingredients of stories (29:30) Why truth matters (38:07) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 AME Conference - Use Promo Code Gemba15 for 15% off The Power of Habit Atomic Habits Jamie's Website Jamie on LinkedIn The Story Habit What Do You Think? Share an example of when storytelling proved to be a powerful tool.

This week's guest is Kurt Neubek. Kurt explained how lean is used in the Design and Construction industries, and the differences between virtual and in-person dynamics. He and Ron also discussed navigating biases. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Kurt likes (3:42) His background (5:20) How lean is applied in design and construction (9:14) Using it in the community (13:05) Virtual versus in-person work (27:06) Making decisions that stick (28:20) Dealing with bias (36:15) His advice for getting started (42:01) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 AME Conference - Use Promo Code Gemba15 for 15% off GA 228 | How to Apply Lean to Architecture and Engineering Kurt on LinkedIn What Do You Think? How would you go about getting decisions that stick?

This week's guest is Deondra Wardelle. Deondra, a keynote panelist at the upcoming AME Conference, talked to Ron about her consulting work and strategic visioning. They also discussed kata and the future of lean. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Deondra's favorite quote (3:08) Her background (3:52) About the upcoming AME Conference (8:26) The future of lean (13:44) About Deondra's journey (21:18) Her strategic visioning process (26:01) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 AME Conference - Use Promo Code Gemba15 for 15% off Deondra's Website What Do You Think? What are your thoughts on strategic visioning?