Leadership

918 Articles

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

Constraints Are Opportunities

By Steve Kane - September 28th, 2018

I started my lean journey many years ago while working in the motorcycle industry.  I was a parts and accessories manager for a BMW Motorcycles dealership in the Monterey Bay area of California.  This dealership had been in business

GA 234 | How to Apply Lean to Transportation with Gary Vansuch, Michelle Malloy, and Geneva Hooten

By Jessica Bush - September 27th, 2018

This week’s guests are Gary Vansuch, Michelle Malloy, and Geneva Hooten of the Colorado Department of Transportation. Together they shared how their Process Improvement program came to be, how it has changed, and some of the chal

GA 233 | How to Develop a Strong Lean Culture with Raye Wentworth

By Jessica Bush - September 20th, 2018

This week we’re sharing another powerful keynote from the 2018 Lean Systems Summit, this time by Raye Wentworth. Raye has been with New Balance for 34 years, and she shared how the company has developed their lean culture. An MP3

GA 232 | How to Embrace the Higher Calling of Lean with Kevin Hancock

By Jessica Bush - September 13th, 2018

This week we’re sharing a moving keynote by CEO Kevin Hancock from the 2018 Lean Systems Summit. It’s impossible not to be inspired by Kevin’s refreshing take on lean and it’s true value. An MP3 version of this

GA 231 | How to Think Scientifically in Healthcare with Maurene Stock and Katie Melching

By Jessica Bush - September 6th, 2018

This week’s guests are Maurene Stock and Katie Melching of Mercy Health Muskegon. They shed some light on the organization’s lean journey, including their approach and how they learned to think scientifically. An MP3 versio

GA 230 | How to Become a Six Sigma Black Belt with Md Hasan

By Jessica Bush - August 30th, 2018

This week’s guest is one of our Six Sigma Black Belt recipients, Md Hasan. Ron and Md discussed his background, the process of becoming certified, SMED, and more. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In

You Want Me to Do What!?!

By Steve Kane - August 24th, 2018

  I coach a variety of teams in diverse industries in the area of continuous improvement. A common struggle is overcoming an obstacle that is often perceived as resistance to change. Improvement is Inherent Change for the better s

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