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

This week's guest is Ron Crabtree. The two Rons discussed the concept of digital transformation, or digitization, including what it entails, how to navigate these transformations, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Ron likes (2:54) His background (3:22) What a digital transformation or "digitization" means (7:47) An anecdote about a decal manufacturer (11:31) Ron's thoughts on where to start (13:15) The three things to think about first (20:14) His parting thoughts (24:50) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Gemba Academy Live Events Ron on LinkedIn MetaExperts MetaPod 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 digitization look like to you?

This week's guest is Ron Pereira. Ron introduced the Gemba Academy School of Leadership and shared the audio from some of this exciting new content. Be sure to check the show notes to watch the video versions. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Change Management (1:49) Leading Teams (7:58) Adaptive Leadership (14:57) Facilitation (21:15) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 What Is Change Management? What Is a High-Performance Team? Getting Started with Adaptive Leadership  What Is Facilitation? 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? Which of these four leadership concepts resonates with you the most?

This week's guest is Chris Fuzie. Ron and Chris discussed Chris's books, liminal space, tessellation, leadership, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Chris likes (3:22) His background (4:23) About liminal space and leadership (12:08) Optimizing the liminal space (14:07) Giving and receiving feedback (17:29) Chris's insights on how leadership is evolving (18:30) About tessellation and leadership behaviors (23:07) Why it makes companies more efficient (32:14) How Chris thinks liminal space and tessellation work together (34:01) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Chris's Website Because...Why?: Understanding Behavior in Exigencies S.C.O.R.E. Performance Counseling: Save the Relationship, Change the Behavior Liminal Space: Reshaping Leadership and Followership Chris on LinkedIn Chris on X Chris on Facebook Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter

This week's guest is Jacob Stoller. Ron and Jacob discussed Jacob's upcoming book, "Productivity Reimagined," what it means to be productive, what productivity looks like in different industries, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Jacob's favorite quote (1:58) Jacob's background (3:30) Why he wrote "Productivity Reimagined" (5:48) His angle on productivity (8:48) Some of the "ah-ha" moments (10:05) Tips for those who don't produce widgets (13:09) Jacob's advice (22:27) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Jacob on LinkedIn Jacob's Website Pre-Order "Productivity Reimagined" on Amazon 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 productivity look like to you?

This week's guest is Nina Sossamon-Pogue. Ron and Nina discussed Nina's gymnastic career, focusing on the process vs. successes, values like discipline, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Nina likes (2:46) Her background (3:11) About her gymnastics career (6:02) Whether or not she regrets the sacrifices she made (8:38) How she started thinking about life outside gymnastics (11:38) About the "high achievers success cycle" (16:05) Focusing on the process vs. the success cycle (20:42) Perseverance vs. discipline (26:33) About the "highs" (29:09) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Nina on LinkedIn Nina on Instagram 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? Can you relate to the High Achievers Success Cycle?

This week's guest is Gary Cihak. Ron and Gary discussed what it takes to build a Lean and Six Sigma program, the Job Instruction component of TWI, why 5S isn't just a series of chores, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Gary likes (2:20) His background and what he's up to these days (3:04) The early phases and building blocks (5:27) His experience with the Job Instruction component of TWI (6:06) Viewing 5S as more than just a chore (8:18) What Gary is most proud of (13:16) Practical tips for someone new to continuous improvement (15:29) When Gary first "saw the light" (17:11) Advice for when continuous improvement feels like a grind (18:16) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Northern Illinois Food Bank Gary 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

This week's guest is Jessper Maquindang. Ron and Jessper discussed in-person, hybrid, and remote workplaces, how those choices affect company culture, what "belonging" means, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Jessper likes (3:16) His background (4:07) What influenced him to become a leader (5:52) His approach to personality assessments (7:14) What Jessper has seen as far as remote vs. hybrid working (11:43) Building a company culture remotely (13:54) How leaders are changing (16:29) What a "sense of belonging" means (18:17) Balancing the reality of for-profit business with finding your purpose (23:33) Why change is difficult to implement (25:02) Discovering and seeing the benefits (29:49) An inspiring mathematical equation (30:51) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Jessper on LinkedIn Jessper's Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter i

This week's guest is Evan Unger. Ron and Evan discussed what often goes wrong in meetings, especially high-stakes meetings, as well as practical tips for making meetings successful. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Evan likes (2:03) His background (2:39) What Evan sees is going wrong with meetings (6:52) Knowing your "Why?" (9:50) The role of facilitation skills (10:34) The role of the personality of the leader (12:30) Examples of organizations that do it well (13:51) Practical tips for getting better (15:23) Advice for practitioners (18:50) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Evan on LinkedIn Evan on Schwartz + Associates 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 is your take on meetings? What makes them successful?

This week's guest is Ricky Shoop. Ron and Ricky discussed the concept of magnanimity, what it means to be a magnanimous leader, examples of magnanimous historical figures, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Ricky likes (3:01) His background and goals (4:20) What magnanimity is (6:07) How it relates to harmony, integrity, etc (9:40) An example of someone demonstrating magnanimity (13:54) What it means to be winsome (16:35) How to culture a mindset of magnanimity when things are hard (18:44) Whether a business can be magnanimous (26:11) Humility and magnanimity (32:57) Examples of magnanimous historical figures (36:05) Final words of wisdom (41:45) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Lumin Counseling 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 doe

This week's guest is Malti Bhojwani. Ron and Malti discussed personal and professional transformations, different types of motivation, the importance of having a good work/life balance, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Malti likes (4:19) Her background (7:48) Her takes on personal transformation (10:30) Intrinsic vs. external motivation (13:12) Another quote Malti likes (16:04) KPIs vs. KPAs (18:02) Examples of personal growth leading to organizational impact (18:52) Handling behavior you can't accept (22:16) Other insights Malti has gained from her consulting work (23:47) What happens when you "inherit" a team (27:47) The importance of work/life balance (30:14) Malti's parting thoughts (34:17) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Malti's Website Malti on LinkedIn Malti on YouTube Malti on Amazon Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a

This week's guest is Chad Senkowski. Ron and Chad discussed martial arts, Chad's podcast The Journey, coaching, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that Chad likes (2:26) His background (3:21) How martial arts relates to continuous improvement (4:51) Why he started a podcast (6:11) The angle of the podcast (8:16) The guests that have impacted him the most (11:02) Why his passion is hands on training and coaching (16:00) His advice for those just getting started (16:28) His routine (17:57) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Chad on LinkedIn Ron's Episode on The Journey Motivate Multimedia 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? Where else can you draw parallels with continuous improvement?

This week's guest is Clint West. Ron and Clint discussed MacDonald & Owen's lean journey, the state of lean in the lumber industry, navigating biases, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Clint likes (4:57) How he sees bias as an obstacle (6:43) His background (8:34) The progression of his career (11:44) What Clint feels he has done well and not done well (13:25) What Clint is trying to improve (17:49) The benefits of lean at MacDonald & Owen (20:34) The state of lean in their industry (22:18) The hardest part of his job as CEO (25:20) His advice for those at the beginning of their careers (30:26) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 MacDonald & Owen's Website GA 514 | Turning the Tables on Ron with Clint West 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?

This week's guest is Ahmed Radwan. Ron and Ahmed discussed engagement, what it means to build a "lighthouse," sustaining kaizen efforts, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Ahmed's favorite quote (2:25) His background (3:28) The challenges he's faced (8:15) How to sustain kaizen efforts (13:52) Keeping people engaged (15:03) Building a "lighthouse" (19:30) How lean has impacted Ahmed personally (20:13) His struggle with humility (24:32) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Ahmed on LinkedIn Kaizen Made Easy on YouTube Kaizen Made Easy 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 keep people engaged in your kaizen efforts?

This week's guest is Kurt Sears. Ron and Kurt discussed continuous improvement at Dollar Shave Club, happiness versus joy, the power of living out your beliefs, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that Kurt likes (2:29) His background (5:47) The continuous improvement environment at Dollar Shave Club (7:37) His two statement philosophy (9:10) How bias plays a role in the culture (9:38) Happiness vs. joy (13:05) His take on stoicism (18:31) The role of leadership in a culture of continuous improvement (21:44) Advice for fostering project success (25:11) Kurt's final advice (31:06) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Kurt 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 stoicism?

This week's guest is Matthew Townsend. Ron and Matthew discussed what a broken process looks like, what happens when you automate waste, how to identify and remove it, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Matthew's favorite quote (3:09) His background (3:54) Defining a "broken" process (8:28) Examples in manufacturing (13:58) The other issues that surface when you automate waste (17:30) Tips for identifying and removing automated waste (19:57) Specific mapping techniques for a front office environment (22:07) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Matthew on LinkedIn Sparc Engineers Sparc Engineers on LinkedIn Sparc Industries on Instagram 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? Describe a time you automated a bad or broken process.

This week's guest is Zack Estes. Ron and Zack discussed Zack's coaching business, applying lean in non-manufacturing contexts, the five functions of business, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Zack likes (3:16) His background (3:34) About Path for Growth (7:19) Applying lean in digital spaces (8:28) Whether he speaks about lean specifically (11:19) Why envisioning outcomes is difficult (15:37) The five functions of business (17:18) Zack's reading project (27:25) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Zack on LinkedIn Path for Growth How to Operationalize Your Business Workbook Zack's Reading List GA 456 | "This Is Water" by David Foster Wallace with Alex Judd 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 you reading this year?

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 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 managing expectations mean to you?

This week's guest is Jennifer Drago. Ron and Jennifer discussed having a long-term vision, data-driven strategies, overcoming resistance to change, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Jennifer likes (4:01) Her background (4:24) Why having strategy and vision is important (7:35) Balancing for-profit need with altruism (10:05) Painting the long-term vision and creating strategic pillars (15:56) Getting total buy-in (17:25) Communicating your vision (19:39) Some general examples (21:18) How Jennifer overcame resistance to change (23:27) Other challenges she has seen leaders face (25:30) What Jennifer is most proud of (29:30) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Jennifer's Website Jennifer on LinkedIn Jennifer on YouTube 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 D

This week's guest is Royden Johnson. Ron and Royden discussed lean in South Africa, connection before correction, 5S, authority, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that Royden likes (3:23) Royden's background (4:02) The state of lean in South Africa (10:41) Connection before correction (13:42) His journey with 5S (16:11) The contrast between moral authority and formal authority (23:24) Accountability vs. ownership (27:22) Advice for anyone at the early stage of their continuous improvement journey (29:27) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Royden 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 is lean different in your country compared to other places in the world?

  This week's guest is Tim Pettry. Ron and Tim discussed outside perceptions of Toyota, Cleveland Clinic's journey with continuous improvement, and Tim's unusual workshop at the upcoming Shingo Conference. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Tim likes (2:28) How his lean journey started (3:38) A Ford employee's perception of Toyota  (9:30) The Cleveland Clinic Improvement Model (12:17) How they've involved physicians (19:19) About his unusual upcoming workshop (25:01) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Shingo 36th Annual Conference The Cleveland Clinic Improvement Model PDF Tim on LinkedIn Tim on X: @valuesstreamldr 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 about Cleveland Clinic's story resonates with you?