
Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership
Improvement Learning, Improved.
Latest episodes

May 2, 2024 • 27min
GA 526 | Managing Expectations with Jason Henderson
This week's guest is Jason Henderson. Ron and Jason discussed what managing expectations looks like, scientific thinking, dealing with negativity, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
The quotes that Jason likes (2:25)
His background (4:21)
How he discovered lean (8:46)
What managing expectations means to Jason (10:04)
Some examples (12:48)
How Jason deals with negativity (18:32)
Advice for anyone who is struggling (21:45)
What Jason would tell his younger self (23:39)
Podcast Resources
Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
Jason on LinkedIn
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What Do You Think?
What does managing expectations mean to you?

Apr 25, 2024 • 34min
GA 525 | Crafting a Long-Term Vision with Jennifer Drago
Guest Jennifer Drago discusses crafting long-term visions, data-driven strategies, overcoming resistance to change, and more. Highlights include balancing profit with altruism, creating strategic pillars, and effective communication of vision. Jennifer shares how she overcame resistance to change and reflects on career successes, including a remarkable obstetrics program achievement.

Apr 18, 2024 • 38min
GA 524 | Connection Before Correction with Royden Johnson
Lean expert Royden Johnson from South Africa discusses lean practices in his country, emphasizing connection before correction, 5S implementation, moral vs formal authority, and advice for those starting their continuous improvement journey. He reflects on the state of lean in South Africa and highlights the importance of ownership and accountability in lean processes.

Apr 11, 2024 • 35min
GA 523 | The Cleveland Clinic Improvement Model with Tim Pettry
Lean practitioner Tim Pettry discusses outside perceptions of Toyota, Cleveland Clinic's continuous improvement journey, physician involvement, and an unusual workshop at the upcoming Shingo Conference.

7 snips
Apr 4, 2024 • 29min
GA 522 | Continuous Improvement at Jack Henry with April Bell
Guest April Bell discusses how Jack Henry uses Toyota Kata for continuous improvement, quantifying waste in office settings, and the intersection of tools and scientific thinking. They explore challenges, vision, and advice for getting started.

Mar 28, 2024 • 33min
GA 521 | Celebrating Quick Wins with Alen Ganic
This week's guest is Alen Ganic. Ron and Alen discussed Alen's work with the City of Grand Rapids, process improvement from the customer perspective, and the importance of celebrating quick wins. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
Alen's favorite quotes (2:02)
His background (5:21)
How the mayor discovered lean (9:12)
An anecdote about the water department (10:47)
What you can do to introduce and sustain a lean initiative (15:03)
Focusing on process improvement from the customer's perspective (21:27)
The importance of measuring (22:50)
Approaching those "in the middle" (24:10)
Alen's advice for those getting started (29:23)
Podcast Resources
Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
Alen on LinkedIn
Gemba Academy Live City of Grand Rapids
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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 celebrate quick wins?

18 snips
Mar 21, 2024 • 44min
GA 520 | Applying Scientific Thinking in Untraditional Contexts with Michael Lombard
Exploring scientific thinking in non-traditional contexts like homeschooling and youth soccer. Discussing deliberate practice, using the Toyota Kata approach, and balancing methods. From CEO transition to personalized education, the guests share unique experiences and insights.

Mar 14, 2024 • 43min
GA 519 | Lessons from Abdul with Robb Holman
This week's guest is Robb Holman. Ron and Robb discussed Robb's new book, "Lessons from Abdul," navigating crises, filtering out the "noise" in our lives, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
The quote that inspires Robb (3:30)
About his new book, Lessons from Abdul (4:47)
Who Abdul is (8:29)
Robb's basketball career (14:01)
What Robb learned from Abdul (14:53)
Receiving well with so much "noise" (19:06)
Practical tips for being better at receiving (24:47)
Where you can get Robb's book (29:22)
What else is going on in Robb's life (30:22)
A story about Robb's wife's cancer treatment (32:52)
Podcast Resources
Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
Robb's Website
Lessons from Abdul
Robb on LinkedIn
Robb on Facebook
Robb on Twitter
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?
Who in your life have you learned some unexpected lessons from?

31 snips
Mar 7, 2024 • 33min
GA 518 | Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement with Jim Huntzinger
Explore building a culture of continuous improvement with Jim Huntzinger. Discuss the future of continuous improvement, the importance of having a hypothesis, foundational skills needed, and the relevance of sharing knowledge. Learn about upcoming events like KataCon 2024 and TWI Summit. Discover the integration of scientific thinking and lean activities in creating a culture of improvement.

Feb 29, 2024 • 38min
GA 517 | Becoming a Master Black Belt with Carlos Pereyra
This week's guest is Carlos Pereyra. Ron and Carlos discussed Carlos's recent graduation from our Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt program, what it means to create psychological safety, measuring success, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
The quote Carlos likes (3:31)
His background (4:16)
Failing faster (7:20)
How we can encourage a culture of experimentation (11:21)
Some personal examples (12:31)
Getting people excited about lean (17:03)
Advice for leaders (19:12)
Why it is so difficult for leaders to create psychological safety (21:10)
Measuring success (23:01)
Podcast Resources
Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
Carlos 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 do you get people excited about lean?
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