This week's guests are Scott Laundry and Marc Bicknell. Ron, Scott, and Marc discussed all things kata, including being a good coach and how kata can be "evil." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quotes that Scott and Marc like (2:34) Their backgrounds (3:10) Why kata can be good and "evil" (4:31) Their approach to coaching kata (8:53) How the target condition is formed (13:01) What's special about kata (16:33) The problem with ...
Nov 24, 2022•34 min
This week's guest is Billy Taylor. We caught up with Billy at the recent AME conference in Dallas, where he and Ron discussed his book The Winning Link and the concept of governance. Billy also shared some powerful anecdotes we think you'll enjoy. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Billy likes (1:56) His background (2:41) What the transition was like (5:04) About his book The Winning Link (8:40) Deliberate clarity (10:44) ...
Nov 17, 2022•31 min
This week's guest is Mike Thelen. Ron and Mike caught up at the recent AME conference in Dallas, where they discussed company culture, the role of docility, and why "firefighters" get promoted instead of leaders. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Mike (1:55) Mike's background (3:42) What it takes to change your company culture (8:13) Why it's so difficult (11:54) Breaking away from a culture of firefighting ...
Nov 10, 2022•36 min
This week's guest is Gregory MacDougall. Gregory's interview is the first we're sharing from the recent AME Conference in Dallas. Gregory explained how he chooses keynote speakers, what his health journey has taught him, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Gregory (2:19) Gregory's background (3:48) The process of selecting keynote speakers (7:39) His health journey (11:55) How people react when they ...
Nov 03, 2022•27 min
This week's guest is Trond Undheim. Ron and Trond discussed Trond's book Augmented Lean, and his thoughts on automation and technology. He and Ron also each shared their stance on social media and its effects on humanity. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Trond likes (2:37) Trond's background and what he's been up to (3:43) His background pertaining to lean (9:38) About Augmented Lean (12:32) His take on Toyota (17:47) So...
Oct 27, 2022•52 min
This week's guest is Alex Judd. Alex explained his growth-oriented approach to leadership and coaching, and even gave Ron some parenting advice. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Alex likes (3:31) Alex's background (8:05) The services they provide (10:41) What leadership means to Alex (11:41) An anecdote about "here" (16:36) What "there" means in the context of leadership (20:02) What to do when you don't know where to go...
Oct 20, 2022•51 min
This week's guest is Paul Stamper. Paul shared how lean has helped Ventura County improve its processes and how continuous improvement can bring positive change to government and service environments in general. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Paul (2:32) Paul's background (3:38) His favorite philosopher (8:39) About Ventura County's lean journey (9:17) The makeup of Ventura County (16:32) How Lean and Six...
Oct 13, 2022•42 min
This week's guest is Patrick Dippel. Ron and Patrick talked about volatility and how leaders and organizations everywhere can deal with uncertain times. Patrick also explained the merits of on-demand labor and how his website Veryable works. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quotes Patrick likes (3:58) His background (5:24) About his time at GE (7:54) What "volatility" means (10:55) Pat's thoughts on the "Great Resignation" (13...
Oct 06, 2022•39 min
This week's guest is Jamie Dixon. Ron and Jamie talked all about the power of storytelling, and how it's done correctly. Jamie also specifically explained what the three ingredients of stories are. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Jamie likes (2:30) His background (3:34) His passion for storytelling (6:12) An example about a coffee company (8:59) The role that personality or temperament plays (16:50) Teaching someone sto...
Sep 29, 2022•42 min
This week's guest is Kurt Neubek. Kurt explained how lean is used in the Design and Construction industries, and the differences between virtual and in-person dynamics. He and Ron also discussed navigating biases. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Kurt likes (3:42) His background (5:20) How lean is applied in design and construction (9:14) Using it in the community (13:05) Virtual versus in-person work (27:06) Making deci...
Sep 22, 2022•47 min
This week's guest is Deondra Wardelle. Deondra, a keynote panelist at the upcoming AME Conference, talked to Ron about her consulting work and strategic visioning. They also discussed kata and the future of lean. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Deondra's favorite quote (3:08) Her background (3:52) About the upcoming AME Conference (8:26) The future of lean (13:44) About Deondra's journey (21:18) Her strategic visioning process (2...
Sep 15, 2022•33 min
This week's guest is Tom Hughes. Ron and Tom discussed how culture and standards coexist in lean, and why it's so important to be candid. Tom also shared some great anecdotes and lean wisdom. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Tom likes (3:31) Tom's background and what he's up to these days (4:49) What Tom means by standards (8:43) Why "culture" and "standards" should go together (10:06) Being candid (11:16) A story about ...
Sep 08, 2022•35 min
This week's guest is John Knotts. Ron and John talked all about data, how to approach it, and what tools John recommends. John also expanded on the concept of "being the rock." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: John's background (2:57) His favorite quote (3:55) The approach to data collection he recommends (5:50) The type of data John is looking for (13:30) Looking at trended data (14:59) Determining the type of data you're dealing...
Sep 01, 2022•40 min
This week's guest is Brent Weichers. Brent explained how his organization has made real changes to improve the lives of the employees. He also shared what he'll be presenting at this year's AME conference. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Brent likes (3:28) His background (6:23) Their approach with metrics and measurements (8:28) How they measure what's working (13:57) How they rolled out what they learned using pillars ...
Aug 25, 2022•40 min
This week's guest is Steve Kane. Ron and Steve discussed the benefits and challenges of virtual training. Steve also explained the trends in virtual training he's observed recently. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Steve (2:25) Steve's background (3:39) What virtual training means (5:02) The trends he's been seeing (6:31) How he's adapted to virtual training (10:58) What he's learned about the activities (1...
Aug 18, 2022•33 min
This week's guest is Thomas Bertels. Ron and Thomas discussed how Thomas got into work design, how it relates to lean, and why intrinsic motivation is so critical. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Thomas likes (1:54) His background (2:52) How he got into work design (4:07) The link between work design and lean (5:34) Approaching work design (9:03) What happens when the culture isn't there (11:19) What intrinsic motivatio...
Aug 11, 2022•22 min
This week's guest is Wendy Posillico. Ron and Wendy discussed her golf career, her company Live Your June, and the role of ethos and pathos in leadership. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Wendy's favorite quote (2:20) Her background (3:38) Whether she was good at golf at first (5:40) The defining moment (8:26) About her company Live Your June (11:49) A leadership example (16:48) The role of ethos (18:30) The role of pathos (21:42)...
Aug 04, 2022•32 min
This week's guest is Ron Pereira. Ron talked about our TPM, or Total Productive Maintenance, content, and then shared a previous episode on TPM by Balaji Chandrasekar. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The improvements our content development team has made this year (0:28) About our TPM courses (1:25) Introduction to TPM (4:57) The Eight TPM Pillars 6:54) The benefits of practicing TPM (7:34) Approaching TPM (9:09) Measuring TPM Ef...
Jul 28, 2022•42 min
This week's guest is Calvin Williams. Ron and Calvin discussed his company Impruver, scientific thinking, and what it means to be a scientific leader. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Calvin wanted to share (2:32) His background and what he's up to (4:04) What "Impruver" means (7:02) About scientific leadership (8:47) What a scientific leader does (14:55) Becoming better at scientific thinking (19:40) The myths that keep...
Jul 21, 2022•35 min
This week's guest is Martina Kuhlmeyer. Ron and Martina talked about the true definition of culture, what it means to build lean into your company culture, and how to tell when things go awry. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Martina's favorite quote (2:08) Her background and what she's up to these days (2:48) Her take on lean culture (4:07) What "culture" means to Martina (6:05) How your identity plays into organizational culture...
Jul 14, 2022•30 min
This week's guest is Dereck Williams. Ron and Dereck discussed Quality Management Systems, what they entail, and how to ensure your efforts are successful and sustainable. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Dereck likes (1:26) His background and what he's up to these days (2:31) About Quality Management Systems (5:30) The role lean plays in a QMS (7:04) Ensuring QMS doesn't become superficial (10:32) Some of the challenges...
Jul 07, 2022•27 min
This week's guest is Bhavana Bartholf. Bhavana is the Global Head of Digital & Sales Strategy at Microsoft and a keynote speaker at this year's AME International Conference. Ron and Bhavana discussed empathy, culture, trust, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Bhavana likes (2:45) The upcoming AME conference (4:03) Bhavana's background (4:38) The importance of empathetic leadership (6:53) Practicing empathy in tou...
Jun 30, 2022•32 min
This week's guest is Michael Lamach. A keynote presenter at this year's AME International Conference, Ron and Michael talked about everything from his time at Trane Technologies, to promoting engagement, cycle time, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Michael likes (3:10) Michael's background (5:08) His time at Trane Technologies (9:49) How value gets created (13:35) Promoting engagement (15:04) Introducing lean t...
Jun 23, 2022•42 min
This week's guest is Colin Baird. Ron and Colin discussed the role of discovery and the importance of being appreciated. Colin also shared how his relationship with his father shaped the way he views continuous improvement. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Colin (1:36) Colin's background (2:25) Colin's relationship with his father (6:13) The power of the "discovery side" of continuous improvement (13:28) Ma...
Jun 16, 2022•45 min
This week's guest is Ryan McCall. Ron and Ryan explored the Hierarchy of Action, and what it means to "Start with Why." Ryan also shared some advice for what to do when your "Why?" isn't embraced by those around you. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Ryan's background (1:50) The quote Ryan likes (2:44) About the Hierarchy of Action (3:15) How he developed his (4:45) Getting to the why (10:09) What to do when your "Why?" isn't accep...
Jun 09, 2022•26 min
This week's guest is Lauren Hisey. Ron and Lauren discussed the dangers of jumping straight into technology before exploring other options. They also covered value stream mapping, gemba walks, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Lauren likes (1:43) Lauren's background (1:58) Why jumping right to technology is problematic (3:14) Understanding the business problems (7:17) How they began mapping (9:06) How Lauren doe...
Jun 02, 2022•22 min
This week's guest is Beau Briggs. Beau described his racing career and his family business, and how lean has been a part of both journeys. This is a particularly unique episode you won't want to miss. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Beau likes (2:28) Beau's background (3:41) About his family business (5:02) What it's like racing against his dad (8:45) Their lean journey (10:22) The disadvantages of this grassroots appro...
May 26, 2022•31 min
This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Adam told Ron about his trip to French Guiana to see a NASA rocket launch, and everything that went wrong. Adam also explained how he believes having a lean background helped him. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Adam (3:11) A unique story about his brother and NASA (4:08) Why he went to Guiana (6:10) What happened when he arrived (19:27) His tour of the rockets (25:44) W...
May 19, 2022•56 min
This week's guest is Michael Parent. Ron and Michael discussed human-centered design and how it intersects with lean. Michael also talked about his book, The Lean Innovation Cycle. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Michael (2:17) Michael's background (3:41) About human-centered design (5:15) Why Michael became interested in this (8:40) The role of change management (15:01) About The Lean Innovation Cycle (17...
May 12, 2022•27 min
This week's guest is Adam Marsland. Adam, who works in the legal industry, explained how his firm uses continuous improvement and what problems they're solving. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote that inspires Adam (2:57) Adam's background (5:18) The delivery of legal services (7:33) The work his firm does and the problems they're solving (9:53) Their Lean and Six Sigma journey (12:20) The skills they're using (16:54) Thei...
May 05, 2022•34 min
