GA 077 | How an Engineering Manager Practices Lean with Rob Connelly

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This episode features Rob Connelly, an Engineering Manager and fantastic lean thinker over at Specialty Silicone Fabricators in Paso Robles, California. Rob and I talked about how he practices lean on a daily basis at SSF, both individually and with this team.

An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here.

 In this episode you’ll learn:

• Rob’s background and what he does at SSF (3:55)
• The quote that inspires Rob (5:11)
• Rob’s daily routine at SSF (7:22)
• Why and how SSF video calls with their other sites (12:40)
• What Rob does after the morning meeting (14:40)
• What Rob spends the rest of his day doing (19:20)
• How to balance communication across teams (23:01)
• All about mastery and purpose, and how Rob incorporates them into his work (25:52)
• Rob’s take on the power of autonomy (31:26)
• What the hiring process at SSF is like for engineers (38:50)
• What “Respect for People” means to Rob (43:21)
• The best advice Rob has ever received (46:12)
• Rob’s personal productivity habit (47:41)
• What has surprised Rob in the last year of practicing lean (48:51)
• What Rob does to recharge and refocus (52:01)
• The knowledge or skill Rob feels he needs to improve (52:54)
• Rob’s words of wisdom (53:50)

Podcast Resources

• Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
• Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com
• The Simon Sinek Podcast
• Rob’s Blog 
• Rob on Twitter
• Rob on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?

How do you incorporate lean into your daily routine at work?

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