Shingo Principles Podcast

In this episode, Shaun Barker and Mike Martyn explore what it truly means for organizations to redefine excellence. They emphasize that mastery requires a continuous willingness to challenge the status quo—breaking what exists, rebuilding it better, and constantly reimagining the future while honoring the past. As companies push beyond traditional benchmarks, they may find themselves charting a path few have walked before.Shaun and Mike highlight how the Shingo Model offers a timeless foundation for this journey, providing principles that guide growth without locking organizations into rigid behaviors. They encourage listeners to evolve, innovate, and embrace the discomfort that comes with genuine improvement. Ultimately, the pursuit of mastery isn’t a destination—it’s a mindset, a discipline, and a commitment to always reach for a higher level of excellence.To learn more, please visit https://shingo.org.

Peter Barnett and Lacey Garner, Circana, dive into the uncomfortable but essential topic of failure—what it teaches us, how it shapes us, and why it’s a necessary part of growth. Whether you're leading a team, improving a process, or navigating personal challenges, failure is often the first step toward excellence.To learn more please visit https://shingo.org.

We kick things off with a fundamental question:If Lean thinking works so well, why aren’t more organizations doing it—and how does the Shingo Model fit into the picture?Our guest, Ravi Uppal, Sr. Manager at Apple Inc., shares his perspective in this quick conversation you won’t want to miss.To learn more about the Shingo Model, please visit https://shingo.org.

Join members of the Future of People at Work community for a dynamic panel discussion exploring how diverse improvement philosophies can come together to create stronger, more resilient organizations. Drawing on insights from thought leaders such as Shigeo Shingo, Eli Goldratt, and Ryuji Fukuda, the panel will discuss how integrating methods like design for manufacture, total productive maintenance, and design of experiments can drive innovation and shape the future of improvement, technology, and the way we work.To learn more about the Shingo Model, please visit https://shingo.org

Lean organizations often struggle with declining performance and engagement over time. Solving this requires more than a reductionist approach—it calls for a holistic view of how systems interact and shape new behaviors.In this episode, Ana will share insights from 15 years of Shingo Prize recipient analysis, highlighting the top 10 systems organizations are prioritizing to achieve not only enterprise excellence but also ecosystem excellence. Whether you’re a leader, practitioner, researcher, or simply curious about navigating complexity, we invite you to join this session and explore how organizations can become more dynamic, adaptable, and sustainable.Learn more at https://shingo.org. Handout: https://usu.box.com/s/yiqxur6jyzpeprwtq01m3hnwny5gp1f1

In this episode, we explore why organizational transformation so often falls short — and how the Shingo Model® provides a roadmap for lasting, principle-driven change. We break down how leaders connect strategy, systems, and culture by creating urgency, translating intent into daily behaviors, measuring success differently, and embedding alignment into everyday work. Whether you’re a senior leader, change agent, or improvement professional, this conversation offers practical insights to drive transformation that truly sticks.To learn more, please visit https://shingo.org/articles.

In this engaging podcast, Dr. Peter Hines explores how digitization and the Shingo approach can work together to drive meaningful transformation—a topic gaining momentum in both industry and academia. Based on global research supported by the Shingo Institute®, Dr. Hines shares insights from over 1,000 industry responses across 66 countries. The findings reveal a lack of consistent understanding around Lean Industry 4.0 terminology and a tendency to repeat past Lean mistakes by overlooking leadership, engagement, and behavioral competencies. While Lean Industry 4.0 is often pursued for efficiency and cost savings, its long-term value depends on integrating cultural and leadership principles. Dr. Hines emphasizes that treating digitization as a purely technical initiative misses the opportunity for deeper, sustainable impact.Please click HERE for article.  See click HERE to download accompanying webinar slides.

In today’s session Brittany Ogden and Shaun Barker, who oversee the Shingo assessment process will talk about the Shingo Challenge—what it is, who’s eligible, and how to prepare.The Shingo Prize is a prestigious recognition of organizational excellence, grounded in cultural transformation and principle-based behavior. Unlike traditional assessments, Shingo examiners evaluate how deeply the Shingo Guiding Principles are embedded in daily operations. Brittany and Shaun walk us through the eligibility process, including the results documentation.We also highlight the importance of early conversations—some organizations begin planning two years in advance. Whether or not you’re aiming for an award, the Shingo Model offers a powerful framework for continuous improvement. For those ready to challenge, there are currently three levels of recognition: Bronze, Silver, and the Shingo Prize. Be sure to check the session link for the Shingo Guidelines, which are referred to heavily throughout the session.Shingo Guidelines: https://usu.box.com/s/soon7kiuivk7kdftg80zpcyz6cfh8a2b To learn more about the Shingo Model, please visit https://shingo.org/shingo-model/. 

Today’s podcast explores how leaders can thrive in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) environment by embracing adaptive, principle-based leadership rooted in the Shingo Model™. Drawing on insights from the book Leading Excellence, the episode introduces the concept of the “5 Hats of the Adaptive Leader”—Inspire, Coach, Teach, Support, and Direct—as practical tools to guide leaders in responding effectively to different situations. It emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s own core belief system, as well as those of others, to foster emotional intelligence and ideal behaviors. Leaders must shape culture intentionally, align systems to drive desired behaviors, and connect every individual to a shared purpose. By consistently reinforcing principles like Respect Every Individual and Lead with Humility, leaders can create workplaces where people flourish and organizations thrive. The discussion offers a roadmap for developing culture, empowering teams, and leading with purpose—delivering sustainable, profitable results in a human-centered way.To learn more about the Shingo Model, please visit https://shingo.org. To view the webinar associated with this podcast, please visit https://youtu.be/3aHx4aAvBEA. 

Mark Graban, author of 'The Mistakes That Make Us' and recipient of the Shingo Publication Award, discusses the crucial role of psychological safety in organizations. He emphasizes that team members must feel free to voice concerns without fear, transforming mistakes into learning moments. Highlighting Toyota's approach, Graban shares insights on how leaders can cultivate an open environment. He also explores the importance of humility in leadership and how fostering this culture can significantly enhance problem-solving and organizational performance.