Leadership

878 Articles

GA 255 | The Elements of a Sustainable Lean System with Jon Miller

By Jessica Bush - February 21st, 2019

This week’s guest is GA Co-Founder Jon Miller. Jon has been a guest of the podcast many times, and in this episode he describes the various elements he believes are necessary for creating a successful, sustainable lean system. An

Vision, Values, and Principles

By Steve Kane - February 20th, 2019

Labor and work environments have continually changed since the dawn of employment. These topics are like just about any other aspect of the human experience in that they have changed more rapidly over the past century than any other pe

GA 254 | Discovering Lean with Ryan and Louise Tierney

By Jessica Bush - February 14th, 2019

This week’s guests are Ryan and Louise Tierney. We recently went to Northern Ireland to tour and film at their company, Seating Matters. In this episode, they share how they learned about lean, and why they decided to embark on a

GA 253 | Building a Strong Lean Foundation with Mohamed Saleh

By Jessica Bush - February 7th, 2019

This week’s guest is Mohamed Saleh of Hartford HealthCare. Mohamed shared the details of their lean journey, including the dynamic approach they use and how their department is organized.  An MP3 version of this episode is avail

GA 252 | Standard Work in the Office with Steve Ansuini

By Jessica Bush - January 31st, 2019

This week’s guest is Steve Ansuini. Steve discussed his time at Toyota, including how he implemented Standard Work and Job Instruction Breakdowns in the office. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In th

What’s the Thinking Behind the Tools

By Steve Kane - January 25th, 2019

I have a small hobby business I run on the weekends.  It involves some simple assembly and kitting, which I do in my basement.  I’ve come to the point where flow has become the next problem to solve. What’s the Convention

GA 251 | Lean in New Hampshire with Heather Barto and Tommy Lencki Jr.

By Jessica Bush - January 24th, 2019

This week’s guests are Heather Barto and Sergeant Tommy Lencki Jr. Heather and Tommy both work for the state of New Hampshire, and they described their involvement in the state’s continuous improvement initiatives. An MP3 v

GA 250 | Using Process Behavior Charts with Mark Graban

By Jessica Bush - January 17th, 2019

This week’s guest is Mark Graban. This is Mark’s sixth episode with us, and this time he discussed his new book, Measures of Success, as well as how Process Behavior Charts can be used in different contexts. An MP3 version

GA 249 | Lean in Thailand, China, and India with John Chacon

By Jessica Bush - January 10th, 2019

This week’s guest is John Chacon. Ron and John discussed John’s career, specifically his experiences practicing lean in different parts of Asia. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode

GA 248 | The Importance of Creativity with Karyn Ross

By Jessica Bush - January 3rd, 2019

This week’s guest is Karyn Ross. Ron and Karyn talked all about the power of creativity, why lean thinkers should focus on it, and how you can learn to be more creative. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download he

Small Improvements Instead of Resolutions for the New Year

By Steve Kane - December 28th, 2018

We’re closing in on the new year, a time when big ideas about improving our lives come to mind.  It’s common knowledge that new year’s resolutions typically abandoned by Valentine’s Day.  Taking on too much

GA 247 | Using Lean in the U.S. Air Force with Greg Butler

By Jessica Bush - December 27th, 2018

This week’s guest is Senior Master Sergeant Greg Butler. Greg shared how he and his team use lean in the U.S. Air Force, some of the barriers to success he’s observed, and countermeasures you can use. An MP3 version of this

GA 246 | How to Admit When You’re Struggling with Gary Peterson

By Jessica Bush - December 20th, 2018

This week’s guest is Gary Peterson. Gary talked about his company O.C. Tanner’s lean journey, and shared some vulnerable anecdotes about failure, asking for help, and owning up to your mistakes.  An MP3 version of this epi

GA 245 | How to Coach Leaders to Coach Others with Jamie Parker

By Jessica Bush - December 13th, 2018

This week’s guest is Jamie Parker. Ron and Jamie talked about Jamie’s career thus far, the importance of having an impact on others, and how to help leaders develop a team of problem solvers. An MP3 version of this episode

GA 244 | How to Teach Kata in the Classroom with Mike Rother

By Jessica Bush - December 6th, 2018

This week’s guest is Mike Rother. Mike actually interviewed Ron for this episode, and the two of them discussed scientific thinking and Ron’s experience facilitating a kata workshop for kids. An MP3 version of this episode

GA 243 | How to Strive to Thrive with Michael Lombard

By Jessica Bush - November 29th, 2018

This week’s guest is Michael Lombard. Michael and Ron discussed Michael’s career thus far, specifically his work in healthcare and his use of kata. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In this epis

Applying Job Relations to Job Instruction

By Steve Kane - November 23rd, 2018

A customer I collaborate with from time to time is responsible for continuous improvement in several factories here in the US.  For the ease of telling the story, we’ll call this customer Joe.  Joe’s organization is begin

GA 242 | How to Leverage Different Lean Experiences with Katie Anderson

By Jessica Bush - November 22nd, 2018

This week we have another episode from AME San Diego. Our guest is Katie Anderson, who told us all about the AME Consortia program, her Japan Lean Study trips, and more.  An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here.

GA 241 | How to Make Work More Human with Renée Smith

By Jessica Bush - November 15th, 2018

This week we’re continuing our live AME San Diego series with Renée Smith of Results Washington. Ron and Renée both shared some powerful anecdotes and insights into the humanity of lean and its potential to really change lives.

GA 240 | How to Leverage Lean Like Barry-Wehmiller with Brian Wellinghoff

By Jessica Bush - November 8th, 2018

This week we’re sharing the first of several episodes we recorded live at AME San Diego. For this episode, our guest is Brian Wellinghoff. Ron and Brian discussed Barry-Wehmiller’s lean journey, the lessons Brian has learne

Disrupt Your Thinking

By Steve Kane - October 26th, 2018

Learn Something New Autumn seems to be conference season in the Lean community.  I’ve attended events hosted by the Colorado Lean Network and the Michigan Lean Consortium in the past few weeks. Conferences are great opportunitie

GA 238 | How to Change Your Culture with Toyota Kata with Emiel van Est

By Jessica Bush - October 25th, 2018

This week’s guest is Emiel van Est. Ron and Emiel discussed the vital role that culture plays in continuous improvement, and how methodologies like Toyota Kata can help sustain your success. An MP3 version of this episode is avai

GA 237 | How to Incorporate and Leverage Sustainability with Brion Hurley

By Jessica Bush - October 18th, 2018

This week’s guest is Brion Hurley. A Lean and Six Sigma consultant with a true passion for sustainability, Brion shared some advice on the “Triple Bottom Line,” going paperless, and more. An MP3 version of this episod

GA 236 | How to Develop Strong Effective Leaders with Cheryl Jekiel

By Jessica Bush - October 11th, 2018

This week’s guest is Cheryl Jekiel, CEO of the Lean Leadership Center. Based on her background in operations and human resources, Cheryl explained what she believes it takes to develop great lean leaders. An MP3 version of this e

GA 235 | How to Embody the Spirit of Toyota with Jess Orr

By Jessica Bush - October 4th, 2018

This week’s guest is former Toyota employee Jess Orr. Jess reflected on her time there by sharing their “10 Attitudes” with us, which really capture the overall spirit of Toyota. An MP3 version of this episode is avai

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