

The Lean Solutions Podcast
Patrick Adams
This podcast offers business solutions to help listeners develop and implement action plans for lean process improvement and implement continuous improvement projects, cost reductions, product quality enhancements, and process effectiveness improvement. Listeners come from many industries in both manufacturing and office applications.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 4, 2025 • 52min
What is Government Efficiency?
Discover the innovative strategies to improve government efficiency inspired by private sector practices. Explore how Lean and Six Sigma methodologies drastically reduced permit processing times and streamlined operations. Learn about the extensive training of thousands of employees aimed at cutting waste and enhancing services. The conversation highlights the need for relationship building within organizations and the role of dedicated teams in fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Tune in for insights into transforming public services for better citizen satisfaction.

Jan 28, 2025 • 44min
Building a Fail-Forward Culture
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Patrick Adams and Andy Olrich discuss the importance of a "fail-forward" culture, where failures are seen as opportunities for learning rather than setbacks. They emphasize the need for leaders to model vulnerability, focus on learning rather than blame, and establish clear boundaries. About the Hosts: Andy Olrich brings over 25 years of expertise in engineering trades, services, manufacturing, mining, and logistics processes and support. With qualifications in Continuous Improvement and LEAN Six Sigma, he is also a Certified Scrum Master. Andy finds fulfillment in witnessing the positive outcomes that result from teams collaboratively working towards shared and individual goals. Patrick Adams is an internationally recognized leadership coach, consultant, and professional speaker. He is best known for his unique human approach to sound team-building practices, creating consensus and enabling empowerment. Patrick has been delivering bottom-line results through specialized process improvement solutions for over 20 years. He’s worked with all types of businesses from private, non-profit, government, and manufacturing ranging from small businesses to billion-dollar corporations. Patrick is an Author of the best-selling book, Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap.Links:Click Here For Andy Olrich’s LinkedInClick Here For Patrick Adams’ LinkedIn

Jan 21, 2025 • 46min
Learning From the Trenches
What You’ll Learn:
In this episode, hosts Catherine McDonald and Shayne Daughenbaugh discuss reframing workplace failures as opportunities for growth. They emphasize the importance of viewing failures as experiments and learning experiences, rather than negative events.
About the Hosts:
Catherine McDonald is a Lean and Leadership Coach. Her work involves training and coaching executives and teams in organizations of all types and sizes. In 2018, Catherine started her own business- MCD Consulting where she works as a Lean and Leadership Coach. She specializes in Lean deployment in non-manufacturing industries, including food, retail, education, non-profit, health care, event management, hospitality and media.
Shayne Daughenbaugh is a seasoned Process Improvement Project Manager with over 5 years of experience at the State of Nebraska, holding the distinction of a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. They specialize in leading successful organizational change and implementing lean process improvement strategies, focusing on streamlining efforts and enhancing efficiency. With a strong background in operations management and lighting efficiency, Shayne's expertise extends beyond the professional realm, encompassing a decade-long commitment as a Pastor, demonstrating versatile skills in mentorship and strategic planning.
Links:
Click Here For Catherine McDonald’s LinkedIn
Click Here For Shayne Daughenbaugh’s LinkedIn

Jan 14, 2025 • 46min
Rethinking Failure
What You’ll Learn:
In this episode, host Patrick Adams and Catherine McDonald as they discuss the importance of reframing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a negative event.
About the Hosts:
Catherine McDonald is a Lean and Leadership Coach. Her work involves training and coaching executives and teams in organizations of all types and sizes. In 2018, Catherine started her own business- MCD Consulting where she works as a Lean and Leadership Coach. She specializes in Lean deployment in non-manufacturing industries, including food, retail, education, non-profit, health care, event management, hospitality and media.
Patrick Adams is an internationally recognized leadership coach, consultant and professional speaker. He is best known for his unique human approach to sound team building practices, creating consensus and enabling empowerment.Patrick has been delivering bottom-line results through specialized process improvement solutions for over 20 years. He’s worked with all types of businesses from private, non-profit, government, and manufacturing ranging from small business to billion-dollar corporations. Patrick is an Author of the best selling book, Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap.
Links:
Click Here For Catherine McDonald’s LinkedIn
Click Here For Patrick Adams’ LinkedIn

Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 2min
Season 4 -LinkedIn LIVE
What You’ll Learn:
Join the Lean Solutions host in this live podcast as the discuss the relevance of Lean in 2025, highlighting its continued importance despite rapid technological advancements.
About the Hosts:
Andy Olrich brings over 25 years of expertise in engineering trades, services, manufacturing, mining and logistics processes and support. With qualifications in Continuous Improvement and LEAN Six Sigma, he is also a Certified Scrum Master. Andy finds fulfillment in witnessing the positive outcomes that result from teams collaboratively working towards shared and individual goals.
Shayne Daughenbaugh is a seasoned Process Improvement Project Manager with over 5 years of experience at the State of Nebraska, holding the distinction of a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. They specialize in leading successful organizational change and implementing lean process improvement strategies, focusing on streamlining efforts and enhancing efficiency. With a strong background in operations management and lighting efficiency, Shayne's expertise extends beyond the professional realm, encompassing a decade-long commitment as a Pastor, demonstrating versatile skills in mentorship and strategic planning.
Catherine McDonald is a Lean and Leadership Coach. Her work involves training and coaching executives and teams in organizations of all types and sizes. In 2018, Catherine started her own business- MCD Consulting where she works as a Lean and Leadership Coach. She specializes in Lean deployment in non-manufacturing industries, including food, retail, education, non-profit, health care, event management, hospitality and media.
Patrick Adams is an internationally recognized leadership coach, consultant and professional speaker. He is best known for his unique human approach to sound team building practices, creating consensus and enabling empowerment.Patrick has been delivering bottom-line results through specialized process improvement solutions for over 20 years. He’s worked with all types of businesses from private, non-profit, government, and manufacturing ranging from small business to billion-dollar corporations. Patrick is an Author of the best selling book, Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap.
Links:
Click Here For Catherine McDonald’s LinkedIn
Click Here For Andy Olrich’s LinkedIn
Click Here For Shayne Daughenbaugh’s LinkedIn
Click Here For Patrick Adams’ LinkedIn

Dec 31, 2024 • 43min
People First: The Soft Skills Advantage
What You’ll Learn:
In this episode, hosts Patrick Adams and Andy Olrich discuss the importance of soft skills in leadership, emphasizing empathy, communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
About the Guest:
Andy Olrich brings over 25 years of expertise in engineering trades, services, manufacturing, mining and logistics processes and support. With qualifications in Continuous Improvement and LEAN Six Sigma, he is also a Certified Scrum Master. Andy finds fulfillment in witnessing the positive outcomes that result from teams collaboratively working towards shared and individual goals.
Patrick Adams is an internationally recognized leadership coach, consultant and professional speaker. He is best known for his unique human approach to sound team building practices, creating consensus and enabling empowerment.Patrick has been delivering bottom-line results through specialized process improvement solutions for over 20 years. He’s worked with all types of businesses from private, non-profit, government, and manufacturing ranging from small business to billion-dollar corporations. Patrick is an Author of the best selling book, Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap.
Links:
Click Here For Andy Olrich’s LinkedIn
Click Here For Patrick Adams’ LinkedIn

Dec 24, 2024 • 54min
Lean Forward, A Time of Gratitude and Growth
What You’ll Learn:
In this episode, host Patrick Adams, Shayne Daughenbaugh, Catherine McDonald, and Andy Olrich, dive into the year’s most watched and liked episodes, reflecting on the impactful conversations and memorable moments that resonated with their audience. From industry insights and expert interviews, they look back at all the highlights that defined season 3. The hosts also look into what the new year will bring, including exciting new guests, fresh topics, and innovative approaches.
Next Season:
Kick off the new year by joining all four hosts from season 3 on a LinkedIn Live event. Join them on January 7th at 2pm EST to discuss the 2025 plans and get listener feedback.
Click Here For Catherine McDonald’s LinkedIn
Click Here For Andy Olrich’s LinkedIn
Click Here For Shayne Daughenbaugh’s LinkedIn
Click Here For Patrick Adams’ LinkedIn

Dec 17, 2024 • 54min
Connections Between Habit Science and Continuous Improvement
What You’ll Learn:
In this episode, host Patrick Adams and guest Greg Jacobson, CEO of KaiNexus, discusses the importance of habit science in leadership and continuous improvement. Greg emphasizes the role of identity, habit loops, and the basal ganglia in forming habits.
About the Guest:
Dr. Greg Jacobson is the CEO and Co-founder of KaiNexus. Passionate about addressing operational inefficiencies, Greg leverages his extensive background in emergency medicine and process improvement to develop software to drive innovation and improvement in every industry.
Outside of KaiNexus, Greg continues to practice medicine by taking on occasional shifts in the ER. He enjoys quality time with his wife, daughter, and two Labrador Retrievers and finds relaxation in playing the guitar and running.
Links:
Click Here For Greg Jacobson LinkedIn
Click Here For Greg Jacobson Website
Click Here For Patrick Adams’ LinkedIn

Dec 10, 2024 • 45min
Developing New Leaders and Managers That WIN
What You’ll Learn:
In this episode, host Patrick Adams, Catherine McDonald, and guest Craig Coyle discuss the relevance of lean and continuous improvement for future leaders. Coyle emphasizes the importance of leadership development, noting that 70% of workforce engagement is influenced by first-line supervisors.
About the Guest:
Craig Coyle is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and former U.S. Army Apache Pilot, Craig is no stranger to leadership in complex and demanding environments. After 8 years of active-duty service spanning across the globe, his passion for leadership and developing leaders led him to leave the military and found Operation Lead. Now he shares his message on leader development across the country and helps manufacturers activate their organizations so they can go from surviving to thriving.
Links:
Click Here For Operation Lead Website
Click Here For Craig Coyle's LinkedIn
Click Here For Patrick Adams’ LinkedIn
Click Here For Catherine McDonald’s LinkedIn

Dec 3, 2024 • 51min
Advancing Continuous Improvement in Africa
What You’ll Learn:
In this episode, host Patrick Adams, Shayne Daughenbaugh, and guest Royden Johnson discuss the global adaptability of Lean principles, emphasizing its core values of customer focus and respect for people.
About the Guest:
Royden Johnson is a distinguished manufacturing leader with extensive experience spanning diverse industries, including automotive sectors. As a Six Sigma Black Belt, he brings a robust expertise in operational excellence and continuous improvement. Royden has a proven track record of driving efficiency and innovation, enhancing performance, and delivering sustainable results across complex manufacturing environments.
Links:
Click Here For Shayne Daughenbaugh’s LinkedIn
Click Here For Patrick Adams’ LinkedIn
Click Here For Royden Johnsons' LinkedIn


