This week's guest is Eric Recker. Ron and Eric discussed bullying, avoiding burnout, and what it means to "Win the Now." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Eric (2:05) His background (5:01) What he's up to these days (7:49) The levels of bullying (11:04) Eric's "Win the Now" initiative (12:31) His morning routine (18:48) How he felt at the top of Mount Princeton (20:19) Balancing achievement and fulfillment (...
Jan 18, 2024•36 min
This week's guest is Scott McDuffee. Ron and Scott discussed the role of curiosity in leadership, dealing with "CAVE" people, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Scott's favorite quote (3:12) His background (3:59) The challenges he's faced (6:01) The role of curiosity in leadership (11:08) A technique Scott used (13:29) Opening up with general questions (16:30) Scenarios that involve the power of questioning (17:50) Dealing...
Jan 11, 2024•33 min
This week's guest is Marc Braun. Ron and Marc discussed all things coaching, including some truly powerful anecdotes. They also explored the concept of "coachability." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Marc's favorite quote (3:07) His background (5:13) What he's up to these days (9:57) Powerful coaching memories (14:47) Marc's thoughts on "coachability" (18:16) His nightly routine (21:05) General leadership advice (25:54) Podcast R...
Jan 04, 2024•32 min
This week's guest is Karen Friedenberg. Ron and Karen discussed strategic planning, specifically Karen's strategy execution framework. They also talked about measuring initiatives. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quotes that inspire Karen (2:15) Her background (3:11) Her strategy execution framework (4:57) Strategy articulation (6:08) Translating it into operations (12:56) Why ownership is key (14:21) Making it sustainable (1...
Dec 28, 2023•32 min
This week's guest is Rick Foreman. Ron and Rick discussed dealing with resistance as well as choosing between different leadership behaviors and approaches. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Rick likes (3:39) His background (6:59) Dealing with resistance (11:28) Collaboration and cooperation (15:29) Kindness and niceness (21:13) Leadership and management (30:57) Ownership and accountability (35:28) Another powerful quote ...
Dec 21, 2023•47 min
This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed kaizen events, specifically the different roles involved and how they function together. They also talked about dealing with "CAVE" People. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Adam likes (3:09) His background (4:14) What Adam means by a kaizen event (5:10) The skills and principles that need to be in place (6:06) The roles and relationships involved (9:13) How he go...
Dec 14, 2023•32 min
This week's guest is our own Steve Kane. Ron and Steve discussed Toyota Kata, coaching (specifically Steve's coaching style), running certification programs, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Steve's favorite quote (3:05) His early thoughts on Toyota Kata and scientific thinking (4:28) Steve's background (9:41) How he overcomes any objections to certification programs (10:35) How things are going (12:44) Steve's coaching ...
Dec 07, 2023•35 min
This week's guest is Ron Pereira. Ron explained what we've been up to as a company this year, including our Live Instructor training, and some of the new courses we've released. We also shared some of the audio from these exciting new videos. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: About our Live Instructor offerings (0:41) An overview of Change Management (4:27) An overview of Facilitation (10:47) An overview of Qualify Function Deploym...
Nov 30, 2023•25 min
This week's guest is Brent Weichers. Ron and Brent discussed the different kinds of motivation, presenting data to a non-technical audience, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Brent's favorite quote (3:10) Presenting data to a non-technical audience (6:37) What he's been learning at workshops (10:06) Balancing extrinsic and intrinsic motivation (13:29) Stories from working with trainers (19:58) How his approach is differen...
Nov 23, 2023•42 min
This week's guest is John Abplanalp. Ron and John discussed all things productivity, including OEE, engaging employees, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: John's favorite quote (4:11) His background (5:37) How they approach OEE (13:51) Reducing the national debt through exporting (20:43) Engaging employees (23:31) Finding the obstacles and bottlenecks (25:55) John's take on AI (28:06) Practical tips for leaders (30:08) Pod...
Nov 16, 2023•32 min
This week's guest is Brandon Brown. Ron and Brandon discussed TWI, and why reducing both personal and professional chaos is so important. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Brandon likes (3:18) His background (4:16) Brandon's thoughts on chaos (6:08) A story about "Bob" the supervisor (8:33) Reducing personal chaos (10:53) The role of personality (15:39) The most difficult part of the work (18:46) What Brandon does to get ...
Nov 09, 2023•33 min
This week we're celebrating our 500th episode by sharing some of our team's favorite moments from over the years. Whether you're new to the podcast or you've been here since the beginning, thank you for listening. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The impact of running into a former student with David Tuttle (2:56) Billy Taylor on the importance of diversity (5:42) A story of survival with Matt May (10:26) Richard Sheridan on forgi...
Nov 02, 2023•43 min
This week's guest is Jeff Reinke. Ron and Jeff discussed OT Cybersecurity, its role in manufacturing, dealing with hackers and ransomware, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Jeff likes (3:42) His background (4:27) What OT Cybersecurity is (7:01) What's driving the emphasis (7:47) Dealing with ransomware (9:25) The human elements involved (10:39) About whaling/spearfishing (14:19) Strategies and tactics to conside...
Oct 26, 2023•28 min
This week's guest is Chad Bareither. Ron and Chad discussed Chad's book, "Improve LESS," Toyota Kata, why continuous improvement is not just "extra work," and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Chad likes (2:08) His background (2:59) About entropy and why progress comes undone (4:59) The root cause (7:11) An example of a client who found success by "improving less" (9:29) The Effort vs. Impact matrix (12:08) Why Chad...
Oct 19, 2023•28 min
This week's guest is James Newell. Ron and James discussed generational diversity and how it affects workplace dynamics. James explained how we can navigate these differences, ensure that the knowledge transfer happens, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: James' background (3:01) The quote James likes (5:13) Navigating differences in how people are wired (6:36) Dealing with generational diversity (10:23) Where the tension b...
Oct 12, 2023•35 min
This week's guest is Kyle Brady. Ron and Kyle discussed suggestion boxes, how to handle suggestions that aren't accepted, and how to get started with your own suggestion program. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Kyle's quote (4:01) His background (5:13) About Kyle's continuous improvement program (6:27) How employees submit ideas (10:46) Communication and feedback (13:42) Their future state (15:49) Examples (18:33) The hardest par...
Oct 05, 2023•26 min
This week's guest is Kerry L. Bass. Ron and Kerry discussed company culture, employee engagement, finding and retaining the right talent, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Kerry likes (2:13) His background (2:42) About employee engagement (4:07) About the employee-employer relationship (5:50) An example (8:01) Introverts vs. extroverts (11:23) The role of company culture (13:23) Building a balanced and diverse t...
Sep 28, 2023•27 min
This week's guest is Brandon Brown. Ron and Brandon discussed TWI, training timetables, and what it means to live a life you're proud of. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Brandon likes (3:37) His background (4:38) What TWI is (7:17) All about the training timetable (9:51) The resulting decrease in turnover, and increase in supervisor stability (19:48) What the "dash" on our tombstones represents (25:23) How much even the...
Sep 21, 2023•36 min
This week's guest is John Knotts. Ron and John explored the multifaceted concept of fear. John also explained why fear exists, and how scientific thinking and continuous improvement can help us all deal with it. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote John likes (3:28) John's background (4:47) An example of "professional fear" (8:49) Why John chose to study fear (10:40) An example of why fear exists (14:53) The relationship bet...
Sep 14, 2023•47 min
This week's guest is Mark Graban. Ron and Mark discussed process behavior charts, the importance of good metrics, the Red Bead Experiment, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The (often misquoted) quote Mark likes (2:22) Mark's background (8:02) What a process behavior chart is (15:40) Where "Better Metrics for Better Management" comes from (10:25) Mark's thoughts on what kind of metrics are preferable (23:56) An example (2...
Sep 07, 2023•41 min
This week's guest is Kerrie Jordan. Ron and Kerrie discussed upskilling, what it means to have a "flexible work schedule," improving morale, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote they like (2:58) Her background (4:54) An example (7:25) What the Voice of Manufacturing Worker Report is about (9:11) How we can improve morale (11:30) What "flexible work schedule" means in manufacturing (15:18) What the future of work lo...
Aug 31, 2023•37 min
This week's guests are David Henkin and Thomas Bertels. David and Thomas talked about co-authoring their new book, "Fixing Work," how attitudes around work and the workplace have changed, the role of mastery, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote they like (2:58) Their backgrounds (4:01) How it works when two people write a book (6:35) What's "broken" about work (9:50) How the perception of work has changed over the...
Aug 24, 2023•36 min
This week's guest is Gerald J. Leonard. Ron and Gerald covered a lot of interesting topics including Gerald's personal health journey, brain science, being a musician, and the power of affirmations. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Gerald's favorite quote (3:17) His background (4:06) How his bass playing helped his recovery (8:45) His relationship with lean (11:53) The brain science behind thinking subconsciously (16:08) How Geral...
Aug 17, 2023•32 min
This week's guest is Summer Davies. Ron and Summer discussed the importance of trust, working remotely, addressing micromanaging, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Summer's favorite quote (2:24) Her background (3:16) What to do when someone is hard to work with (5:03) Why you have to start with trust (9:23) A personal anecdote about the space shuttle (10:53) Her connection between middle and frontline managers (12:35) Whe...
Aug 10, 2023•34 min
This week's guest is Elisabeth Swan. Ron and Elisabeth discussed her book, "Picture Yourself a Leader," the actions we take as leaders, building habits, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Elisabeth (2:24) Her background (4:45) About the drawings in her book (8:10) Why she wrote it (10:15) What it means to consider your actions (16:19) Speaking thoughtfully (21:42) Her final thoughts (39:20) Podcast ...
Aug 03, 2023•42 min
This week's guest is Lou Carter. Ron and Lou discussed positive work relationships, how blame can become toxic, and overall how to create a well-loved workplace. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Lou likes (4:12) His background (11:05) What makes for a horrible work relationship (16:25) Blaming yourself (19:47) An example of when Ron took accountability (24:10) How to create a well-loved workplace (26:47) What kind of lov...
Jul 27, 2023•40 min
This week's guest is Bruno Pesec. Ron and Bruno discussed journaling, practical tips for reflection, and the relationship between lean, change, and reflexivity. You won't want to skip this one! An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote that Masaaki Imai shared with Bruno (2:57) His background (3:52) The relationship between lean, change, and reflexivity (5:03) How Bruno approaches journaling (14:12) The four territories of experi...
Jul 20, 2023•33 min
This week's guest is Boris Kajos. Ron and Boris discussed working as a team, staying on task, the role of communication, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Boris likes (3:30) His background (4:35) YIT's lean journey (9:14) Whether there was pushback or fear (12:33) What Last Planner System means (15:32) Whether the end customer is involved (22:26) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 B...
Jul 13, 2023•28 min
This week's guest is Dr. Jennifer Nash. Ron and Jennifer discussed human leadership, her book "Be Human, Lead Human," working from home, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Jennifer likes (1:53) What she means by Human Leadership (4:27) Productivity during the Covid-19 pandemic (8:41) Why some jobs need to be in-person (10:31) What she suggests for those leaders (11:34) Jennifer's background (16:18) How the big co...
Jul 06, 2023•33 min
This week's guest is Brent Weichers. Ron and Brent discussed OpEx assessments and how Brent and his team deliver genuine value and insight through them. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Brent (2:54) Brent's background (4:06) What an OpEx assessment is (5:46) The systems they use (6:57) Working through resistance and negativity (15:41) Why companies struggle after winning awards (20:30) What problem they're ...
Jun 29, 2023•39 min
