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

This week’s guest is Michael Parent. Ron and Michael discussed an interesting AI conundrum, the impact that systems and design have on performance, Michael’s Tetris experiment, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Michael’s quote (3:03) Ron’s LinkedIn poll on AI (4:32) About Michael’s background (8:11) His thoughts on system and design (10:58) What’s happening with high performers (14:09) How Michael uses Tetris (17:40) What the lessons learned were/are (22:18) How often Michael sees these design problems (24:52) His final words of wisdom (27:52) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Michael’s Substack Michael on LinkedIn Ron’s LinkedIn Poll on AI GA 339 | Applying Lean and Six Sigma to Human Resources GA 423 | Lean and Human-Centered Design The Red Bead Experiment Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to rec

This week’s guest is Shahab Shah. Ron and Shahab discussed the importance of balancing human empathy with the demands of reality, why tone matters, first steps for making improvements, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Shahab’s favorite quote (2:25) His background (4:17) What was the most influential (6:23) What Shahab is looking for when first entering a manufacturing plant (8:26) His first steps for making improvements (13:50) Balancing human empathy with reality (16:01) Why tone matters (25:08) How Shahab handles expectations (31:06) Shahab’s final words of wisdom (42:46) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Shahab 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? Why else does tone matter?

This week’s guest is Pete Behrens. Ron and Pete discussed Pete’s book, “Into the Fog,” what it means for leaders to face uncertainty, why leadership is like cooking, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Pete’s quote (2:10) His background (3:15) Why people are the biggest source of variability (6:57) What Pete means by “into the fog” (9:50) Pete’s approach (14:14) What’s better than sitting still (17:59) Why leadership is like cooking (22:07) The constraints Pete is seeing (28:41) Pete’s final words of wisdom (32:32) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Into the Fog 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 venturing “into the fog” look or feel like for you?

This week’s guest is Brian Meyers. Ron and Brian discussed the heart-stopping story of how Brian’s facility caught fire, the profound difference lean made in saving it, what “unwavering commitment” means, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Brian likes (4:16) His background (5:35) The fire at Brian’s factory (8:40) How lean saved the day (15:14) How they moved forward (17:04) The emotions Brian felt that day (18:48) Unwavering commitment (22:57) His final words of wisdom (26:55) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Brian on LinkedIn Lean by Doing 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? In what other truly profound ways can lean save lives, factories, whole businesses, etc?

This week’s guest is Kristin Kielich. Ron and Kristin discussed Kristin’s experiences with continuous improvement in education, dealing with resistance, measuring success, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Kristin likes (2:51) Her background (4:03) About Kristin’s personal lean journey (11:48) Dealing with resistance (14:13) How the UC system uses Value Stream Mapping (19:01) How their team is structured (21:23) Measuring success (27:39) Her final words of wisdom (31:03) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Kristin 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 else could continuous improvement be used in an educational setting?

This week’s guest is Randall Dupre. Ron and Randall discussed Randall’s book, “Everyday Lean,” the kinds of mistakes Randall sees people making, what good leadership looks like, his favorite lean principles, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Randall’s quote (2:46) His background (3:12) Why he left the corporate world (6:22) Why he wrote his book (8:38) The mistakes people are making (9:39) An example of good leadership (12:33) His favorite lean principles (14:55) A hard lesson he had to learn (20:06) Randall’s final words of wisdom (24:47) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Randall on LinkedIn Randall’s Website Everyday Lean 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? How do you learn to see waste?

This week’s guest is Dean Svarc. Ron and Dean discussed Dean’s book, “Trojan Horse,” navigating hidden threats, why culture matters, the mistakes leaders make, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote that inspires Dean (2:33) His background (3:05) Why he wrote his book (4:08) What it’s about (5:18) What the “hidden threats” are (6:25) Why culture matters (7:33) Some examples (8:37) A success story (10:51) Some of the mistakes Dean sees leaders make (13:28) What he’s trying to instill in leaders (14:54) The mindset shift Dean believes we all should consider (20:04) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Dean’s Website Dean 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 other “hidden threats” are ther

This week’s guest is Ashley Herd. Ron and Ashley discussed Ashley’s Pause, Consider, Act Framework, the concept of a career quilt, micromanagement, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Ashley’s background (3:36) Her favorite quote (5:08) About the Pause Consider Act framework (9:53) Why “Pause” is the most difficult (13:04) The PDCA framework (15:04) What a “career quilt” is (15:42) Her advice for young professionals (18:15) Ashley’s thoughts on micromanagement (20:49) About her “Great Minds Overthink Alike” sign (25:19) Ashley’s final words of wisdom (26:56) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Ashley’s Website The Manager Method Book 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 the Pau

This week’s guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed Adam’s Wheel of Sustainability, the importance of continuously improving, what his Sustainability System assessment is trying to solve, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Adam likes (2:41) His background (3:32) The Wheel of Sustainability (4:22) Why he created the system (6:48) A case study of how Adam has seen it work (7:33) The importance of continuously improving (9:20) What Adam’s assessment is trying to solve (12:16) The feedback he’s gotten (17:29) Adam’s challenge for our listeners (21:29) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Adam’s Past Gemba Academy Podcast Episodes The Wheel of Sustainability Get Your Sustainability Score Adam on LinkedIn Adam’s Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and mor

This week’s guest is Steven Remsen. Ron and Steven discussed Steven’s time at Intel, how to make change “stick” at a large organization, what Steven sees organizations struggling with, the current state of AI, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote that inspires Steven (1:57) Steven’s background (3:03) What he saw at Intel (6:42) The certification factory (9:15) Some of the changes they made (11:01) Making things “stick” across a large organization (16:38) What’s next for Steven and what organizations are struggling with (19:30) The state of AI (21:57) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Steven 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 do YOU think it takes to make a change “stick” at an organiza

This week’s guest is Dr. Julia Garcia. Ron and Julia discussed Julia’s book, “The Five Habits of Hope,” the power of resilience, the role hope plays in problem-solving, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Julia likes (3:59) Why she wrote her book (6:21) The power of resilience (7:40) Whether hope is a choice or a habit (9:10) Why it’s a good alternative to grit and struggle (10:51) Julia’s words of encouragement (15:01) The five habits of hope (17:30) How hope plays a role in problem-solving (31:34) Julia’s final words of wisdom (34:52) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 The Five Habits of Hope Julia’s Website 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 habit of hope stands out to you?

This week’s guest is Royden Johnson. Ron and Royden discussed the concept of a lean operating system talking versus singing, the different phases of the operating system, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Royden likes (2:49) Royden’s background (4:08) Whether your lean operating system is talking or singing (12:53) Phase 1: Stabilize (16:27) Phase 2: Standardization (22:57) Phase 3: Continuous Improvement (28:44) A summary of the operating system (30:43) Royden’s final words of wisdom (35:48) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 524 | Connection Before Correction 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? What are your thoughts on the three phases?

This week’s guest is Chad Bareither. Ron and Chad discussed making culture changes in the workplace, powerful aspects of Japanese culture, the importance of cleaning up, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Chad likes (3:06) His background (4:29) Chad’s thoughts on culture change (6:37) An anecdote about Japan (10:08) A powerful anecdote about a manufacturing plant (16:29) Examples of companies that are doing things well (17:56) Chad’s final words of wisdom (27:59) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 498 | The Power of Improving Less GA 556 | What a Successful Lean Transformation Looks Like Chad on LinkedIn Bareither Group 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? Have you ever tried to implement cultural changes at your organization?

This week’s guest is Kathy Miller. Ron and Kathy discussed manufacturing, Kathy’s new book “MORE Is Better,” optimism, psychological safety, and the art of making high-quality connections. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Kathy’s favorite quote (2:41) Her background (3:01) What motivates Kathy to write books (5:14) What “more” refers to (6:57) The concept of optimism (10:33) What psychological safety (15:46) Advice for dealing with a difficult leader (21:55) High-quality connections and their impact on performance (28:08) Personality types and leadership (30:04) Using the MORE Mentor AI agent (33:49) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 417 | Steel Toes and Stilettos with Kathy Miller and Shannon Karels MORE Is Better Kathy’s Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and

This week’s guest is Hanna Bauer. Ron and Hanna discussed the role of emotional intelligence in success, balancing empathy and accountability, navigating love languages, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Hanna likes (2:38) Her background (3:17) The impact of cultural factors (6:03) The role of emotional intelligence in success (11:23) Explaining emotional intelligence (15:58) What alignment looks like (18:16) Balancing empathy and accountability (22:34) Hanna’s thoughts on love languages (26:22) Taking small, bite-sized steps (30:29) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Heartnomics Hanna on LinkedIn Hanna on Facebook 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 alignment look like to you?

This week’s guest is Noah Waech. Ron and Noah discussed Noah’s experiences teaching lean, what happens when things don’t go as planned, Value Stream Mapping, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Noah likes (3:14) His background (5:05) An anecdote from when Noah was asked to teach about lean (7:22) What Noah enjoys most about teaching others (10:44) A time when things didn’t go as planned (13:20) Noah’s passion for Value Stream Mapping (21:13) His final words of wisdom (24:23) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Noah 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? Do you have any experience teaching lean?

This week’s guest is Radhika Dutt. Ron and Radhika discussed OKRs, Toyota Kata, the target mentality, the OHLA puzzle framework, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Radhika’s favorite quote (3:13) Her background (4:26) What OKR stands for (6:46) What happens when you set goals and targets (7:47) The Toyota Kata framework (10:20) About the target mentality (23:46) How goals make us feel (26:37) About the OHLA puzzle framework (33:56) Measuring people (38:53)  Her final words of wisdom (43:35) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Radhika on LinkedIn Radhika’s Website 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 OKRs?

This week’s guest is Joel Hugghins. Ron and Joel discussed dealing with CAVE people, intellectual property, getting lean to stick, and more.  An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The proverb and quote Joel likes (3:11) His background (4:25) Impediments to getting lean to stick (6:34) Keeping things in balance (8:05) Why things are getting worse (11:28) Joel’s approach to CAVE people (21:23) The role of intellectual property (22:54) Examples of companies that are doing this well (26:22) What gives Joel hope (28:09) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Joel on LinkedIn Joel’s Website 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 obstacles have you faced in terms of getting lean to stick?

This week we’re ringing in the New Year with Billy Taylor. Ron and Billy discussed strategy and KPAs, hidden truths, clarity, being hard on the process, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Billy likes (3:45) Strategy and KPAs (6:28) Billy’s thoughts on hidden truths (9:32) How clarity breaks down (12:23) Being hard on the process, easy on the people (16:18) Billy’s “Skool of Execution” (20:42) His advice for listeners (22:37) Billy’s take on AI (26:30) His final words of wisdom (28:27) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Billy on LinkedIn GA 258 | Creating a Common Meaning GA 347 | Leveraging Deliberate Practice GA 352 | Defining, Executing, and Aligning Winning GA 450 | Governing the Standard with Billy Taylor 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.

This week, we’re sharing a special Christmas episode featuring insights from the Gemba Academy team. Each individual answered the question: What does continuous improvement mean to you in your own life? An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The format of this episode (0:45) A few words from Greg (1:32) A few words from Tomii (4:53) A few words from Alen (6:36) A few words from Jennifer (8:05) A few words from Ricky (9:09) A few words from Brita (11:47) A few words from Michael (13:28) A few final words from Ron (14:42) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 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 continuous improvement mean to you in your own life?